Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1909-01-07

EernapS II was tate that belated
Cartwright and caused him to rush
across the station platform just as
the last passenger climbed aboard the
train. II SO. then fate was materially
assisted by a little old lady over
whom he nearly stumbled and who
wildly clutched his arm.
She was very much out of breath.
and her hair had blown free from her
bonnet until the stray locks stood out
in the wintry winds like silver halo.
"Oh," she cried breathlessly. my
granddaughter has forgotten the
Christmas pudding! She's on the
train. Will you please give it to her?
Her names on the wrapper"
Cartwright mechanically accepted
the pudding thus thrust upon him.
promise to put it into her own
hands" pleaded the little old lady
anXiously.
Cartwright nodded as he clutched
the railing Of the last car and pulled
himself up. AS the train swept around
the curve he caught last glimpse of
her face. Her eyes were fixed upon
the package under his arm.
II actually believe she thinks want
! her old pudding" grinned Cartwright.
"She doesn't trust me-"
The train, which was the last local
for the city. was crowded with would
be shoppers, with homegoers and
guests bound cityward. Every seat
| was occupied. At last Cartwright
found a place beside young woman
who obligingly made room for him and
/ Immediately resumed the study Of the
snowy landscape through which the
train was rushing.
Cartwright glanced casually at her
| voluminouS brown veil; then his eyes
| fell to the travelling pudding. and he
turned over the package to find the
name.
| 1t was written in a fine, old fash
Toned hand and read, Mary Lang
1919 Essex place."
| A pucker appeared between his eyes
and babe fair to develop into a scowl
when he became conscious that the
gaze of the girl was fixed likewise
| upon the package.
pardon me-" he cried impulsively;
you don't happen to be Miss Mary
Lang. do you?"
The girl turned a very pretty and
astonished face toward him.
"You see," he continued eagerly, 81
don't know a soul at the station where
got Unchanged cars there and near
ly got left Just as was making for
the train lady requested me to deliv-
er this. 1t is 4 pudding" he explained
impressively, land from the evident
value set upon it by the maker judge
that 1t Is a good one and that my re-
sponsibility is vast"
There was a responsive twinkle in
the girls eye.
"Sorry 1 can't help you out" she
said. ~'Why not ask the conductor?
He will know who got ON at that sta
ton. 1 did myself, but we had to
hurry to catch the train, and 1 didn't
notice my fellow passengers
tickets, please"
"Say, conductor" cried Cartwright
"can you tell me who got on at Alton
Junction." and he explained the prob
lem of the pudding.
The conductor grinned.
'There was the lady two seats
ahead" he answered, 1.-THE one with
glasses"
| Cartwright inspected her with comic
dismay.
"I'm a shy man." he announced, land
If 1t be she perhaps you had better
tackle her, conductor. don't want the
job"
"Well, there's the fat lady in the vel
low waist with buttons, and the CIR
in the front seat, and the family JUS
behind. and
s'You don't know even If she's grown
up, do your" queried the girl, who hai
become quite interested in the proceed
ings.
-'That's So" assented Cartwright rue
fully. ''But feel by the pricking o,
! my thumbs that she's homely as /;
hedge fence, cross eyed and at leas
fifty"
"That may not interfere with her mp
petite for plum pudding" suggested thu
girl mirthfully. She had put back tn,
enveloping brown veil. and her darl
eyes gazed straight Unto Cartwrights
81 wish you were Mary Lang" b
said, with decision.
'.I'm very well satisfied as ] am, sh