The Washington herald., 1909-10-17

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too active I want you to light right
out OF here-skipi.
Not for q million dollars Our meet
/ ing is highly OppOrtune. Cookie. It's not
for me TO fly in the face OF Providence.
/ I'm going 10 see what's doing down
here"
"AIl right" replied Cooke. Take 1t
all In and enjoy yourself; but you're
my prisoner"
"Oh. that will be all right! so long as
I'm with you T can't lose out"
, March," called Cooke. dropping be-
hand and thus the two came in a few
minutes to the engine, the cars and the
caboose, From the locomotive a slight
smoke still trailed hazily upward.
Thomas Ardmore, cOatless and hatless
sat on tho caboose steps writing mes
sages on a broad pad while "a telegraph
instrument clicked busily within. one
OF his men had qualified as operator and
g pile Of messages az his elbow testified
TO ArdmoTe's industry. Ardmore c.utched
in his left hand message recently
caught from the wire which he re-reGd
from time 10 time with increasing salts
faction It had been sent from Ardsley
and ran:
shah ride tonight on the road that leads
south beyond the rid bungalow ard on the
brtdle-Tath that climbs the ridge on tho west.
called Sunset Trail. A certain English gentle
man will accompany me- 1t viii be perfectly
Agreeable 20 me to como back alone. G, ID.
Ardmore was sim writing when Cooke
stood beneath him under the caboose
platform.
Il beg your pardon. Mr. Ardmore, but
this is our first prisoner"
Ardmore signed n dispatch and then
looked up and took the pipe from his
mouth. Collins lifted his hat politely.
All. Mr.. Ardmore; you see / have
taken advantage Of your exceedingly kind
invitation TO look you UP in North Caro-
lima"
He was looking for you very hard
when 1 found him. Mr.. Ardmore." inter-
posed Cooke.
your appearance delights me- said
Ardmore. extending his hand TO the re-
porter. 1T was nice OF you 10 walk out
here 20 find me. Wouldn't they put you
up at the house?'
Wen the fact Is I didn't stop there.
Ny paper sent me I'm this general dlrec-
ton on business. but I had every hon
orable intention of making YOU that visit
after / finished my assignment. But
Cookie here says I'm arrested"
Hes a dangerous character and can't
be allowed to run loose in these parts.
I'm going 10 Tie him up said Cooke.
May / ask you. Mr.. Collins just what
you are doing here" inquired Ardmore.
You may, and I'll bet a boiled goose
that Cooke and 1 are on the same job"
What are you looking fOr2' demanded
Ardmore's chief OF staff
ITS a big story IL l get IT. and I
have every intention OF getting it," said
Collins suardedly.
out with it," commanded Ardmore.
The fact IS. then. that I'm looking
for person OF importance"
Go right on. please"
And that person is the governor OF
North Carolina. who is mysteriously alb
sent from Raleigh. He attended the
Cotton Planters Convention in New
Orleans. He got as far as Atlanta on
his way home and then disappeared.
/ need not say to gentlemen OF your in
telligence that a lost governor is ripe
fruit in my business, and I have reason
TO believe that for some purpose OF his
own the governor OF North Carolina is
hiding in this very neighborhood."
Cooke glanced at Ardmorc for instruc-
tons but the master OF Ardsley pre-
ferred to keep the matter IN his own
hands.
so you want TO find the governor Of
North Carolina, 90 you? Wen, you shall
not be disappointed You are too able
and Jealous to be wasted on journalism.
1 have a feeling that you are destined
10 higher things. Something told me
when We met in Atlanta that fate had
set us apart for each other. That was
why ! asked YOU TO visit me when
really didn't know but that, after learn
ing where the spoons are kept, you
would skip without leaving your sub
seQuent address But now there Is i'm
portant business on hand and the Staie
OF North Carolina Will take the ''.--t-
OF borrowing you from Georgia uni
the peace of the Old North State r. re-
stored. And now Collins, 1 will make
disclosure that viii undoubtedly startle
you good deal. but you are no longer
employed by the Atlanta Palladium, and
your obligations to that journal must
be transferred to the State in which you
now stand. You came here. Collins. to
look for the governor of North Carolina.
and your wits and your argus-nose for
news have served you well. You haze
found the governor of North Carolina:
/ am heI"
Collins had stood during this recital I'm
the middle Of the track. with his legs
wide apart. calmly tanning himself with
his hat; but as Ardmore proceeded the
reporters hand dropped to his side. and
grin that had overspread his face
slowly yielded TO a blank stare.
Would you mind repeating those last
words?"
Il am the governor OF North Carolina,
Mr.. Collins. The manner IN which l
attained that high Office is not important.
II must suffice that 7 am in sole charge
Of the affairs OF this great State. without
oil ff.ws
laws and without benefit OF clergy. And
we have much to do here; mere social
conversation must await an amplor time.
now appoint you publicity agent to the
governor Your business is to keep
the people fooled-all the people all tho
time IN other words you are chief
liar to the administration a position OF
vast responsibility. FOR which you have.
II / am a judge Of character, the great
est talents. You viii begin by sending
out word that Gov Dangerfeld has
given Up all other work at present but
the destruction OF the Appleweight gang
These stories that the governor has hid
den himself 90 dodge certain duties are
all 3unl-dO you understandable is serv-
ing the people. as ne has always served
them. faithfully and with the noblest
self-sacrifce. That's the sort Of STUFF
want you to jam into the newspapers
all over the world. And renember-ny
name does not appear in the business
at ell-neither now nor hereafter"
But by the ghost Of John c. Calhoun.
don't you see that I'm losing the chance
Of my life in my own profession? There's
a story in this that would put me to the
top and carry me right into New York"
and Collins glanced about for his suit
case, as though meditating flight
Your appointment has gone into
effect" said Ardmore with hnality. "and
II you bolt you will be caught and
made to walk the plank. And so far
as your future is concerned, you shall
have a newspaper Of your own any
where you please as soon as this war
is over"
The lhreh men adin1lrraad 10 the ca hcn.o