Mexico Missouri message., 1908-03-19

Il beg your pardon. madam, but
may l ask II that 10 your own suit
caseT' he asked, breathlessly.
She looked him up and down carefully.
Il was OF that impression, young man.
Do you think ! stole lt7" came her
crushing retort.
Not at all. madam" he stammered
THE fact is that I'm looking for Mr..
Frank Jackson. Do you--does he
is that your husbands name, MADAME"
Thank heaven. and my own good
sense, have no husband. young man"
Your brother, then?"
Nor brother, either"
Perhaps a cousin" he persisted,
wildly.
Are you the census takerg" she
asked. icily.
Il am looking for"
Il heard you say that before. I'm
not deaf. And don't think you'll find
him in my suit case. II you desire
further information I can assure you
that have neither father. cousin.
uncle, brother-in-law, nor any other
relative OF that name. II you are sat.
ished, we'll close the conversation"
He was not satisfied by q good deal.
but he had to desist for the present.
Presently he tried another device for
getting what he wanted. He wrote a
note to the lady explaining why he de.
sired the information he had been
seeking, and had the porter deliver II.
Unfortunately she had seen him writ.
Ing II, and she tore II into fragmentg
without reading.
Thinks I'm trying to flirt with her.
groaned the young man as the porte
shot his white-toothed grin at him.
At Provo a telegram was handed her
by the Pullman conductor and Cotton,
glancing anxiously across at her. made
out the signature at the bottom. It
was J. NJ. Briggs.
she certainly has something to do
with the affair II Briggs Ia on her
trail" he reflected, with knit brows.
The conviction Of this was forced
upon him when the train drew into
the depot at Salt Lake and the form
OF Briggs appeared at the end OF the
car. The stream OF passengers max.
Ing their exit delayed the man for a
minute. and Cotton, made desperate
by the urgency OF the case, seized the
suit case bearing the name F. Jackson.
and offered to carry 1t to the hack
Let that suit case alone, young
man." commanded the strong.minded
lady.
But Roger was already heading down
the aisle and felgned not to hear. She
few after him IN pursuit and caught
up with him just as he reached the
row of waiting hacks outside the sta.
ton. Snatching the suit case from
him, she swiftly gave him a piece Of
her mind. made terms with the nearest
hackman. and disappeared into the
cab.
Ous OF the corner Of his eye Cotton
saw Briggs bearing down upon them.
The cab wheels were already moving
when he whipped open the door.
stepped inside, and sat down opposite
the irate lady.
Get out of here" she commanded.
IF you'll give me Just moment to
explain" he protested.
Now. II youn kindly tell me what
all this foolishness means before l
call a policeman" she was beginning.
frostily. when he broke in.
ITS objectionable, of course.
madam. but had to see you. nyou'll
only look at my card and give me three
minutes conversation, my actions will
explain themselves. II your time 10
worth a hundred dollars . minute. I'll
pay that rather than not see you"
Her eyes snapped and she took out
her watch. Money talks. young man.
Pay In advance, please"
He observed that she had glanced
at his card. and at sight OF the name
OF the company had become all atten.
ton in a moment. Swiftly be peeled
ave twentIes from the roll in his
pocket, and under the spur Of 90
heavy an expense he did not lose 9
second In explaining his errand.
do you want Mr.. Frank Jackson. OF
Frank Jackson7 II you want Frank
Jackson. the owner of that stock, I'm
the person"
your What an idiot / ami" he
murmured.
quite 80, hut your mistake was moi
unnatural. I'm Just on my way bach
from Europe. and / haven't, heard
about this trouble. Explain Il again
please"
AT your expense. or the com
pany'sY'' he asked. cautiously.
"Tr forego the hundred dollars this
time" she smiled.
He explained 1t length. conclasiy
and forcefully, putting the Situation
20 her. The gist Of his argument wa
. that under present conditions the com
many was run Tor the benefit Of tlis
stockholders. whereas II Kelly gained
control e would b run ~ feeder fol
! the railroad.
she saw the point ana her decision
, was instantaneous
L lsxg,.. ~, ~ Asarlovr that f,fe ms