The San Francisco call., 1908-11-15

L
comes over here and doesn't find any
lawlessness. What is the inference?"
That you have been" she took
him up quickly, and there was swift in
dignation in the blue eyes.
lying to gain a personal end" he
finished for her
Penfield had been apparently listen
ing avidly to the presidents praise OF
the dry attitudes as a sure cure for
consumption. but now he had his ace
in his plate. Ford devoted himself for
the moment to the deaf Miss Van Bruce
and when he turned back to Alicia he
was telegraphing with his eyes for dis
cretion. She understood, and the low
toned tete-a-tete was not resup sd
Later, when they had moment to-
gether in the dispersion from he
breakfast table, he tried to apolog Sze
for what he was pleased to call Sis
playing of the baby act" But she Re-
assured him in low spoken word.
Brother told mel know more than
you give me credit for, Mr. Ford. Mr..
North doesn't like you-he would be
glad if you would resign. You must
not resign
The others, personally conducted BY
Mr.. Colbrith, were crowding to the
rear platform for an after breakfast
view of the headquarters camp. Ford
and Alicia followed. but without haste.
You have CHANGED upon the word.
Miss Adair,'' Ford was saying. L de-
cided last night that 1 should resign. :"
NO." she objected.
Yes; 1 must Some time I may tell
you why"
II say you must not. That was the
last word in brothers letter; and he
wished me to repeat it to YOU" she
insisted.
Where is your brother?" he asked.
He was in London when he wrote.
He has thrown up his hand" Ford
was pessimistic again.
Miss Adair looked about her de-
spairingly for some means of prolong-
ing the whispered confidence. Penfeld,
deferentially in the rear of the plat
form group, was never safely out of
earshot.
II want to see the engine that so
nearly plunged US into a collision last
night" she said aloud: and Penheld's IS
visible ear betrayed the listening mind.
Ford took his cue promptly. I'VE
can go out the other way" he
said; and the secretary pro tempore
had no excuse for following.
They found the cab of the 1912 de-
serted, with the steam in the huge
boiler singing softly at the behest of
the banked fire. Miss Adair lost her
curiosity as soon as Ford had lifted
her to the footplate.
Now you are to tell me all about
u-qutckly." she commanded. Uncle
Sidney will be calling for you as soon
as he misses you. Why are you so
foolish as to talk about resigning
Don't you see what they will say
then?-that you were afraid?"
Ford was leaning against the cen
tered reversing lever. and his face was
gloomy again.
Possibly 1 am afraid" he suggested
You should be more afraid of dis
honor than of-of the other things. Do
you suppose Mr.. North will be content
with your resignation now?"
Ford looked up quickly. Here was a
new revelation-an unsuspected facet
of the precious gem. He could hardly
believe that this steady voiced, far see
ing young woman was the insOuciant
hoolgirlish-though none the less
lovable-young person with whom he
had tramped to the wind swept sum
NIT of Plug pass in the golden heart
of the yesterday.
You mean-?" he began.
Il mean that you will be discredited
disgraced IL possible. Are you sure
you haven't been doing anything over
here that you wouldn't want Uncle
Sidney to find out?"
Not consciously. you may be sure,
he asserted unhesitatingIy.
Think; think hard" she urged us
there nothing at all?"
He could not help smiling lovingly
at her scarce concealed anxiety
though it was merely the anxiety of a
noble soul unwilling to stand by and
see injustice done.
My methods never get very far un-
derground" he averred Not far
enough for my own safety. Frisbie
says. If had been keeping a diary.
think I should be quite willing to lei
Mr.. Colbrith read tor print 1t, IL he
cared to-"
; "And yet there is something" she
asserted. and the straight brOws went
together in little frown of perplex-
ity. You don't ask me how I know
I'm going to tell you. Mr.. Ford-thougf
it's rather shameful. Three days ago
while we were in Denver. Mr.. NortE
came down to the car to see Uncle
Sidney"
''Yes?" he encourag aged.
''They We're closeted in Uncle Sid
! ney's stateroom for a long time" sht
went on II was walking with Mis-:
, Van Bruce, up and down on the station
, platform beside the Nadia. Uncle Sid
ney had told me not to go very fal
away because we were likely to star
, at any moment. The-the car windows
: were Open
. Her embarrassment was growing
painfully apparent, and Ford came u
the rescue
You were not even constructively Il
blame" he FASTENED to say. The!
| must surely have seen you passing ant
repassins. and II they wished for pri
vacy they might have closed the win
, dows"
Il didn't hear much; only word Of
, two, now and then. They were talkins
, about you and brother; and" Sh'
stopped short and laid her hand on th'
throttle lever of the big engine. 'Wha
: did you say this was for?" she asked
ingenuously.
, Ford's up glance of surprise wa'
l answered by glimpse of Penfel'
} sauntering past the other side o
. the track. She could not have seen
r but she had doubtless heard his foot
/ steps on the gravel.
It's the throttle" said Ford. answer
ing her question. And then: Pleas
> go on; he is out of hearing
They were speaking Of you anC
) brother; and-and of me. can't repea
single sentencA entire, but 1 know
Mr. North was accusing you in some
? way, and apparently duplicating me
PerhanS 7 listened I'm self f-defenSe. d.