The San Francisco call., 1908-11-22

AQdlr naQ acquired the uOnOcle ndDll
on his latest run across the Atlantic,
and to keep in practice he gave the Sec
retary the coldest of stares through the
disconcerting glass. Really, I'm quite
delighted. Who is the other member
of the we Mr.-er-er-
"Eckstein." prompted the secretary;
but he said no more. being prudently
anxious to be quit of the transixing
stare before worse thing should be-
fall
In the inner room the vice president
was less effusive, but no less cordial
company's directors in the Denver bust
ness Offices. Mr.. North was of the opin
ion that it would be a good investment
Of time and effort for all concerned if
the members of the poard used their
privilege oftener. So on through half
dozen polite time killers to the reluctant
query: What could the general man
ager do for Mr.. Adair?
Given leave TO speak, Adair stated
his needs succfnctly. He wanted a spe-
cial train to Saints Rest; he wanted 1t
suddenly, and he asked that it be given
the right of the road.
My dear sirr' protested the vice
president, you mustn't ask impossibiH-
tiesl You shall have the train at once,
of course; you shall have my private
car. But when it comes to the right of
way. you'll have to appeal to Mr.. Ford.
Why, he doesn't scruple to lay out the
United States mails for his material
trainsw
~Um." said Adair. Where can reach
Fordg
Mr. North did not equivocate; he
never lied when the truth would an
swer the purpose equally well.
He is out on the extension; or, more
correctly speaking, somewhere beyond
the present end of the construction tele-
graph line. I'm afraid you couldn't
reach him by wire"
And the PRESIDENT" queried the Wis
itor
Mr.. Colbriths car is at the end of
track You wished to join the party in
the Nadia?"
That is what 1 had in mind" said
Adair, not too anxiously.
Mr.. North shook his head.
L don't think you'd enjoy the run
over the construction track Mr.. Col
BIRTH went over it last night because
well, because he believes it to be a
presidential duty to inspect everything.
If you leave today you viii probably
meet the Nadia coming out-possibly at
Saints Rest"
Adair suddenly became wary.
PERHAPS that would be the easy thing
to DO" he said L suppose the engineers
at Saints Rest could put me up if have
to stay over night?'
you neednt. ask them. You will have
my car-with the best cook this side of
Louisiana Keep IT, live in it, till Mr..
Colbrith picks you UP on his return
"All right. But you'll give me the
special, and let 1T make as good time
as it can, Mr.. North; I'm fierce when
have to ride a slow train"
The vice presidents promise was
freely given, and to expedite matters,
the division superintendent's chief
clerk went down to the station with
Adair to see the special train properly
equipped and started on the mountain
climbing run Adair left the details
TO this orderly from the general Of
fees; not knowing how to compass them
himself, he had to- If he could have
seen the broad grins on the faces of his
train crew when Dobson, the clerk, gave
them the dispatcher's order-but at
that moment he was lounging in Mr.
North's easiest chair in the central
compartment of the "01," reading for
the twentieth time crease worn rele-
gram.
The telegram was from Alicia, and it
was dated at Denver, three days gone.
1t was not very explicit; on the con-
trary, it was rather incoherent.
You would better come on as fast as
you can II you want to save your
friends life. He has been tried and
found guilty-of just what 1 don't
know-and will be hanged pretty soon
within few days. 1 think"
Now that's a nice way to stir fell
low up, isn't it?' soliloquized the pleas
ure lover. Just as 1 was getting ready
TO go up to Mount Ptarmigan for the
shooting She knew that, too. I'll bet
a picayune it's just a girls scare.
Fords plenty good and able to take
care Of himself"
That was Mr.. Charles Edward Adair' S
care free phrasing OF it; but three
hours later, when the cook of the OF
served him the most appetizing of
, luncheons in the big open compartment,
and the steeply pitched walls of the
lower Blue canyon were still stinting
the outlook from the car windows, he
began to grow impatient.
Whereabouts are we now, Johnson?'
he asked OF the cooks second man.
Between Cutcliff and No-Horse; yes,
!. sab. Bout 40 mile from Denver"
Great Scotti Fifteen miles an
hour? Say, Johnson, what do you do
when you want 'em to run faster-pull
this string?"
yes. sab; dat's it," grinned the
negro.
Adair pulled the air cord, and IT
brought results-of a kind. Only the
train came to a sudden stop, instead of
going ahead faster; and Conductor Bar
clay, who had been riding on the en-
gine, came back to see what had hap
pened.
Did you stop. us. Mr.. Adair?g he
asked pleasantly.
Not meaning to, you may be sure
said Adair. But now you're here, I'll
ask If there is any objection TO my get
ting off and walking ! could stop and
rest and let you overtake me now and