The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1908-10-10

The man of tickets spoke gruff1y. I'VE
can't, you see l was looking at Ann
Dick fioundered helplessly. The con-
ductor looked expectantiy at Ann. Ann
blushed. 4 can't l was"
Looking at this young man." the
conductor supplemented, grimly.
However, the mother of the child
will probably wire to the next station"
But we get off there-something
must be done at once" Dick spoke
desperately.
If that's the case, so much the bet
ter The conductor spoke more af-
fably-he saw all the responsibility
vanishing from his shoulders. Your
wife can take charge of the baby, I'M
til its mother reaches there, on the
train following this-it's only 20 min
utes later"
But she isn't my wife-yet, you
see" Richard spoke desperately. I'VE
are-er-we're to be married there"
He Strengthened his shoulders, as if
he defied the entire world to try to
stop that ceremony. You see, AIMS
father" The conductor collapsed
into the seat across the aisle and
roared with laughter.
so you are the clipping couple-you
are Major behring's daughter?' he
spoke to Ann, between paroxysms.
There is an official searching
through the train for you-he is in
the next car" Richard moved over
beside Ann; his face several shades
paler. Ann forgot the sleeping baby
and clutched Dicks coat sleeve. Ann
=" Richard gasped. you will not
tell Ann looked at the conductor
as if to measure her antagonist The
conductor looked soberly at Ann. Il
suppose l will have to"-he said.
But you must help us; papa wants
me to marry horrid old friend of his
and there's Richard" she paused,
as if the fact of Richards existence
made further explanation unnecessary.
"Papa's friend is rich, no doubt,
and Richard is not, I suppose" The
conductor spoke as if he were weigh.
ing Richard in the balance and Rich.
ard was found wanting.
Richard has his law practice; he
Will make plenty for us" Ann flared
then changed tactics. please help
u.s." she said. No one resisted Ann
when she said please. AIMS Please"
was a word of art-Ann realized it,
Richard smiled; he knew the battle
was won.
a smooth-faced individual came
down the aisle. Ann and Richard
braced themselves. Ann kept her
eyes on the conductor in AIMS con.
quering way.
You won't find your parties in this
car, Jenkins" The conductor arose as
ne spoke. He turned to Ann. That's
fine little chap-be sure to take
good care of him." he said Ann
smiled her thanks. AIMS smile was
dazzling.
Il suppose you are right, Finch"
jenkins spoke undecidedly, but if it
wasn't for that baby that couple GER
tainly fit the description. Jenkins
looked searchingly at Richard He
is about 25-tall-elean-shav
eyes-brown. curly hair He counted
each item of on his fingers The
description fitted Richard. 1t was
AIMS turn-deep blue eyes-light,
wavy r-slender-medium height
brown dress-brown hat That GER
tainly fitted Ann. Ann bore the scru-
%inV and enumeration better than
Richard; she was absorbed in watch
ing the baby's sleepy effoH+s 40 get a
pink. chubby hand in mouth fully
a size smaller than the hand
But the baby"-Jenkins swore soft
ly under his breath. AIMS father had
offered an alluring reward to the par
ty who stopped the runaways. Jen-
kins was not romantic; his was a
grasping nature Yes, the baby
eliminates them;' Finch spoke
promptly and decidedly. He stood so
that Jenkins could pass out first.
You will reach your station in
about ten minutes; am sure you will
find your message all right" he said
pointedly to Richard.
we sure will-but it will be all
right anyway" Richard spoke prompt
ly. Ann smiled at him approvingly.
Bless the baby" she said, softly, as
she gathered it up in her arms and
kissed a tiny, dimpled hand
Same here" Richard echoed fer
vently. Hang Tom and what Tom
says"