The Green Forest tribune., 1909-04-23
The west-pound Overland was stand.


 with impatient fingers. Her eyes strayed listlessly across the barren country and then became intent on a i cloud of dust that was moving towards | the train.
 She took up a 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, I could love man who rides like that!"
 And she dropped the glasses and | clapped her hands.
 The foremost man was rapidly near ing the train, and the girl watched him breathlessly. Then came sharp whistle from the engine and the train began moving.
 The girl ran to the end of the car and out on to the platform in her eagerness to see the finish. l 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, panting heavily, then he looked up at the girl with triumphing eyes.
 T made it, didn't F"
 Yes" she answered, her face pink with excitement "It was splendid the way you rode. I thought it was a race. didn't know you were trying to catch the train. Your friends got left didn't they?"
 "Yes, 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 q believe it is go- ing to wait for them"
 The man started and swore under his breath.
 Are there many passengers in this car?' he demanded.
 T am the only one at present. It is 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 sheriff's posse.
 I've 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. I must make fight for 1t. Go into the next car, please. Quick! I don't want you killed too."
 The girl looked at him.
 'I'd like to help you," she said. q believe you"
 Thank you for that. But it's no use,' he added, humorous light con- 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! Col" he cried, pushing her forward.
 Mol" she exclaimed. "Step into that state-room and lock the door! 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.
 And when, a moment later. the | 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?" q told him this was a 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. We didn't | find the man." said he. "He must have stepped off the train, then" she answered. "No, ma'am! This train is surround ed," he retorted. What's in them rooms? We'll have to search them"
 "This is insolence, sir!". cried the girl. This car does not belong to the train. It is the private car of the vice-president of this road. Those are his private rooms am his daugh- ter. I forbid you to search them!" scc,-
 q don't care nothing about your vice-presidents. I respect lady, ma'am, but you are interfering with an officer of the law. Stand aside, ma'am. Jim, open that door!"
 As Jim stepped forward the door was opened crack, and a smooth, drawling voice inquired
 Helen. what is all this noise about?"
 "Who is that man?" demanded the sheriff
 That man? That man is-my hus- band" said the girl in a clear, cool voice. q thought you were asleep, Jack" she called.
 I'm not. though. but I am only about half-dressed." drawled the voice. Now, what is this row about?" And the door opened part way, and just within the room stood young man clad in faultless shirt and trousers, his upper lip clean shaven, and the rest of his face thickly covered with lath- CT. He peered out near-sightedly at the group through his gold-rimmed eyeglasses and repeated languidly: Now, what is all this row about?"