The Bottineau courant., 1909-05-07
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IN THE
PRIVATE CAR
By GEORGE HYDE PRESTON

Copyright, by J. B. Lippincott co..

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Z
Copyright, by ]. B. Lippincott Co..
The west-bound Overland was stand
ing still on the plains. The sun beat
down and the hot wind sifted the dust
through every crevice.
The girl, who was the sole occu
pant of the private car at the end ol
the train, looked forlornly out of the
window and drummed on the pane
with impatient fingers. Her eyes
strayed listlessly across the barren
country and then became intent on 8
cloud of dust that was moving towards
the train.
She took up pair of field glasses
put them to her eyes, and gave an
eager cry. "They are cowboys! It's
a race! One is away ahead! How
splendidly he rides! He's coming
this way! Oh, could love a man
who rides like that"
And she dropped the glasses and
clapped her hands.
|
ing the train, and the girl watched
him breathlessly. Then came a sharp
whistle from the engine and the train
began moving.
| The girl ran to the end of the cal
and out on to the platform in her
eagerness to see the finish.
AS the train gathered headway the
| foremost horseman swerved in his
course and made straight for her car
and when the rear platform came
abreast his racing horse he made a
| sudden daring spring from the saddle
to the step.
The man lay on the step for mo.
ment, painting heavily, then he looked
up at the girl with triumphing eyes
Il made it, didn't II"
"Yes," she answered, her face pink
with excitement. 1T was splendid
the way you rode. I thought it was
a race. l didn't know you were trying
to catch the train. Your friends got
left, didn't they?"
Eyes, they did," he replied, look.
ing back at the waving group with
| grim smile under his mustache.
"The train is slowing down." ex.
| claimed the girl. 81 believe it is go.
| ing to wait for them"
The man started and swOre under
his breath.
Are there many passengers in this
| carp he demanded
ct ON tho op1v 0no Of ,rncont r. l.,
| a private car.'
please come in here" said he,
drawing her through the door and
closing it. Then he faced her and
looked straight into her eyes.
'Those men are not my friends" he
said shortly. "They didn't want to
catch the train. They wanted to catch
me. They are a sheriffs posse If
I'm caught, it's all day with me-"
The girl breathed quickly. The
train had almost stopped
1--WE been wild enough, God knows,
but I didn't do this thing. I can't
prove it, though, and I'll swing if they
catch me. l must make fight for
| it. Go into the next car, please.
Quick! I don't want you killed toe" j"
The girl looked at him.
I'D like to help you," she said. Il
believe you."
"Thank you for that. But it's no
use," he added, humorous light com.
ing into his eyes as he looked at her.
The car was standing dead still now
and they could hear the beat of hoofs.
"Quick! Co." he cried, pushing her
forward.
mol" she exclaimed. "Step into
that state-room and lock the door! l
have plan. Let the fight come last,
If it must come. If it does, I'll get
out of harms way. Oh, please go!
The men are here!"
He seized her hands and his eyes
blazed into hers. "Whether you save
me or not, God bless your pluck!
Good-by!" and he impulsively stopped
and kissed her, and was gone into the
state-room.
sheriff and his posse entered the car
they were faced by young woman
with pink cheeks but composed man.
ner.
"Gentlemen, this is a private car
The passenger cars are forward"
"Sorry to disturb you, ma'am," said
the sheriff, glancing quickly around,
"but we want the man who jumped
aboard this car. Where is he?"
II told him this was private car
and he went on through" answered
the girl coolly.
The train was long one and it was
some time before the sheriff came
back. When he did he looked the
girl straight in the eye. 1--WE didn't
find the man." said he.
"He must have stepped of the
train, then," she answered.
"No, ma'am! This train is surround
3D." he retorted. whats In them
rooms? Well have to search them" "
"This is insolence, sir!" cried the
girl. '"This car does not belong to