Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1908-12-08

OF the big rock cut in the canyon.
There wasn't a word of protest. If
hadn't known better, I should have
said that old Brian marlborough knew
all about it in advance. All he said
was: Sure, It's your railroad, and
We'll be buildin' it annywheres you
say, Mistfer Frisbie.' And the very
next day he had a little army of men
on that detour throwing dirt TO beat,
the band. It'll be ready for the steel
by the time we can get to it with the
track layers
Ford nodded approvingly. Speed
is what we are paying for, and we're
thankful to get it whenever. and
wherever we can. Is the bride
timber coming down all right now"
yes; and we are getting plenty of
ties since the major put on his war
paint and went after the MacMor-
rogh subs in the tie camps. It is the
rock work that is holding lis back.
! Ford nodded again. Then he tried
a little shot in the dark
THE presidents car is just below
at the basin switch He wants to
have it taken to the front. and ] have
been trying to dissuade him. Is the
I track safe Tor It
Frisbie guessed what kind of an
swer was desired. and stretched the
truth a little.
81 should say not It's something
| fierce, even for the construction
trains"
| Miss Alicias smile was seraphic.
You two gentlemen needn't tell tibs
! for the possible effect on me-. she
said. with charming frankness. Moth
ing I could say would carry any
weight with Uncle Sidney"
! "Stung!" said Frisbe, half to him
self; and the two men laughed shame
| facedly.
Twill it disarrange things so very
much if the Nadia is taken to the
'front'o" asked Miss Adair.
well. rather" said Frisbie bluntIy.
| Then he tried to excuse himself and
made mess Of it.
"Just why?" she persisted. Forget
| the conventions, Mr.. Frisbie, and talk
to me as YOU have been talking TO
Mr.. Ford. Is there any good reason,
apart from the inconvenience why our
little pleasure party shouldn't see
your new railroad? | am appealing to
you because Mr.. Ford won't tell me
the truth"
Ford stood aloof and let Fnisbie
worry with it alone
There are a dozen reason Miss
Adair: the track is fearfully rough j
really, You know. it isn't safe for big
car like the Nadia. There are only a
few sidings. and what they are, arc
filled up with construction stuff and
camp cars and
She was shaking her head and
laughing al his strivings.
"Never mind" she said: YOU cant
looking on. But I shall find it out"
Frisbie looked Mortified
'You-yon certainly will, Miss
Adair; if MI Colbrith insists upon
having his car dragged over the
range" Then, being quite willing to
make his escape, he turned to his
chief. rs there anything else! If not,
I'll be getting back to the Riley mix
up before the trouble has time TO
grow any bigger
Ford shook his head, and F1isbie
lifted his hat TO Miss Adair and
turned to climb TO his engine cab. But
at the moment OF brake-releasings
Ford matted him.
zone minute he said: and turning
to his charge: I'll borrow Dicks en-
CINE and take you down to the Nadia's
siding, if you'd rather ride than walk
ooh, will you? That would be fine,
But oughtn't Mr. Frisbie to get back
to his work.
yves" Ford admitted. Time is
rather important just now.
Then We'll walk she said with
great decision.
That's all. Dick Ford called
Keep an eye open for Garcia. He
might make fuke and shoot straight
for once in a way
They stood in silence on the wind
swept summit until the curving down
rush Of the western grade had swal-
lowed the retreating engine. Miss
Alicia was the first to speak when the
iron clamor was distance drowned.
81 like Your Mr. F1.isbie,' she said
refectively Isn't he the kind Of man
who would Fave taken the message to
the other Garcia?''
.'He is the kind of man who would
stop a bullet for his friend, and think
nothing OF it, if the bullet should
happen to leave him anything to think
with" he returned warmly. And then
he added, half absently: He saved
my life four years ago last summer
There was genuine human interest
in her voice when she said gently:
would you mind telling me about
it?'
SIT was up in the Minnesota piner.
les. where we were building branch
railroad through the corner of an In
dian reservation. A half-breed po-
hunter for the game companies had
a right-of-way quarrel with the rail.
road people, and he pitched upon me
as the proper person to kill. It was a
knife-rush in the moonlight; and Dick
might have shot him, only he was
too tender hearted SO he got between
u.s."
"Well?' she prompted when it be-
came evident that Ford though he
had finished.
THAT was all; except that it was
touch and go with poor Dick for the
navf Siy weeks with no sjlrpaOr