The Washington herald., 1908-04-19
ANSWERING THE CALL
By DOROTHY GLENN.

Forsythe scowled out into the black
night. The south-bound express was al
ready overdue. As soon as the long train
of coaches had thundered past he could
| close up and go home.
Going home" meant dash across the
sodden field to where he had pitched his
tent for the summer. Jack Bailey the
| regular operator at Haddon Junction.
owned a tiny house, one of the four that
constituted the settlement about the place,
but Howard FOrsythe preferred the tent
Tor the summer. and so The house was
shut up.
Hard work had kept Howard FOTsythe
in bad health ali winter, and the physi-
clan had advised camping. He had plead
ed the necessity for earning sufficient
money to enable him TO complete his Sc
nior year at college, and so the doctor
had suggested Haddon Junction Bailey
was TO be married and was going out
West on his honeymoon He expected 10
be gone all summer and was glad TO have
man TO take his place who would be
willing 10 give it up in the fall
Matters were arranged between Bailey
and the train dispatcher. and ever since
the college year had closed Howard For
sythe had reported the trains on the main
line and the little twenty y-five-mile spur
that gave the junction its name.
There were dreary times between. and
Howard spent a part OF his leisure In
talking to Lottie Baylss. the agent up in
Green River. the first stop on the branch
line LOttie was a cousin of Mrs. FyCe,
who lived at the Junction. and ii was her
custom to run down on her bicycle after
her Office was closed as soon as the six
thirty had gone up.
She found the station more interesting
than her cousin. and before the middle of
August she was wearing the ring that
Howard had ordered from town. They
were not to be marriend until Howard
had graduated, but the thought was an
incentive to the man, and the days sped
all too rapidly. until the inevitable low
eTs quarrel.
That had occurred three days before and
Lottie had net been down TO the Junction
since. Il was for that reason. rather than
because Of the belated train. that How
ard scowled into the darkness as he
| looked down the track
At last the headlight cleaned family
through the deluge, growing brighter. un-
I'll with a roar the train swept past. How
ard reported the train to the dispatcher S
office and prepared to close the station.
He was just slipping into his rain coat
when the instrument on the Hampton line
began 70 click out HIS call, and without
waiting for a reply went on.
u am alone in the station and robbers
are trying 10 blow open the safe. I am
tied 10 chair and cannot escape. Come
to my assistance"
Howard groaned. Il was eight miles to
Green River, and throughN the pelting
storm he could not make it in less than
twenty minutes. Perhaps he would be
too late.
He ran to the shed where the track BIZ
cycle was stored and ran It out upon the
rails. There was no use TO carry the
rain coat. He threw il In the shed. to-
gether with his coat and vest, and, max
ing sure that his revolver was in his
pocket. he stepped into the seat. II was
up grade all the way to Green Island. bat
the tracks were wet enough 70 hold the
wheels. and Howard bent TO his work. He
had gained In health since he had come
to the Junction, and no freshman work
ing to make the "eight" had ever bent
his back to his work as did Howard For
sythe speeding to the rescue Of the girl he
loved
He was d, ,enched to the skin, and the
driving rain nearly blinded him, but he
fought his way between the teeth of the
half gale that was blowing. and at last
the lights Of Green Island came into sight
and encouraged him to make final squirt.
With a rush he drew into the station and
sprang from the bicycle. The station was
dark and apparently deserted.
As quietly as he could Howard crept
about the platform, peering into the win
dows. He could see no sign OF life, and
at last he sought TO force the doors. In
the belief that the robbery must nave
been accomplished He was still work
ing upon the lock when heavy hand fell
upon his shoulder.
Get yeY was the triumphant exclama-
ton. ''Stole a track velOcipede. did yer
Coin to rob all the stations in the rain Z?
Well, there's one constable that knows
his duty"
Are you the constable?" demanded
Howard The other flashed his star with
a gesture of pride, and Howard went on:
Il am the operator from the Junction.
I had a message from Miss Bayliss. She
telegraphed that she was in trouble. and
I came TO her assistance.
L guess Lottie BayliSs don't have to
call on the Junction for no help while
I'm here" was the rejoinder "Lottie
never sent no message ike th5S. That's
too thin story, young fellow.
but it is true" Forsythe persisted.
Force the door and you viii find her tied
to a chair. There have been robbers here
already"
The constable grinned.
'You want to tell me that she's tied to
a chair? / was over to Clem Bayliss' to-
night. Jest came away from there. Lot
tie said goodnight to me. Come along
now"
Are you going to take me to the jail?"
Forsythe demanded.
That's what I be-" was the answer IN
uncompromising tones.
''Wfl you stop at the Bayliss' on the
way there?' he begged. 1T will only
take a moment, and Hiss Bayliss will
identify me-"
The constable paused uncertainty, but
at last he decided to grant the request.
and he led Howard up the trim walk
through the Bayliss garden.
Il caught this young fellow trying 10
break into the station. He declared that
Lottie telegraphed him TO come up" he
explained to his recent host.
Lottie came into the hall at that mo-
ment.
i did not telegraph for Mr.. Forsythe,