The Green Forest tribune., 1909-04-23
N THE PRIVATE CAR
By GEORGE HYDE PRESTON
Copyright. by J. B. Lippincott Co.)

"If you are satisfied. gentlemen, that your man isn't in here with me, I'll close the door and finish dressing"
 "All right, sir" laughed the sheriff, glancing into the room. "Very sorry to have to disturb you and your wife,
 The young man glanced at the girl as he closed the door.
 She gasped and turned pink.
 He did not open the door again un- til the search was over and the train under way. Then he came out. I've finished dressing" he announced calmly.
 The girl looked at him, her cheeks flushing and her eyes demanding his excuse.
 Please forgive me-" he stammered. q thought it was all up with me. never expected to see you again. thought it was good-by forever-and you were so plucky. And besides,' , he added, with flash of reckless fun in his eyes, 'it isn't unusual for @ husband to kiss his wife"
 Her face turned scarlet.
 "Oh! why couldn't I think of some other lie than that!" she stammered helplessly. q might have said broth CT, or cousin, or anything but that, and she covered her burning face with her hands.
 He took quick step to her side.
 You did it because you knew it was the surest way to fool them. You did it because you have the quickest wit and the pluckiest heart in the whole world Your father, the vice-presi- dent, might not approve of your help ing cowboy out of scrape, but he"
 ''The vice-president is not my ia ther," she interrupted.
 But you told the sheriff you were the vice-president's daughter"
 T know I did, but that was anoth- er-lie. I thought if I said so they would not dare to search the rooms. J
 Has he daughter?"
 No, only a son."
 ."Then you" he began.
 q am his wife's companion They are to meet the car at Billings to- night"
 Are these the sons clothes I have on?"
 No. They belong to the secretary The son lives away out here some where" And she waved vaguely across the country. He had some trouble with his father and left home, saying he would never come back till his father asked him to-and they are both obstinate"
 The man started and clinched his hands nervously. "Yes, have heard of such cases" said he quietly.
 In their eager talk they did not no tice that the train had stopped at a station, and did not hear the car door open.
 Well, Miss Lee" called cheery voice, "I found we had time to come this far on the east-bound to meet the car, and-what.'
 "Oh, MT. Blaker!" gasped Miss Lee. IT."
 "Oh, Will! Oh my son, my son!" cried another voice, and his mother was cliEging to Miss Lees cowboy with trembling arms
 The young man held his mother to his breast for long moment Then he looked at his father and his face hardened.
 q didn't expect, sir, to meet" he began. Then he felt Miss Lees hand on his arm.
 He faced around. Father, I have come home. I have been a fool"
 ''So have l. my boy, and so we'll say no more about it." and he walked down to the end of the car and looked out of the door for a moment. Then he came back.
 Look here, you two," he demand ed, with his hand on his sons shoul- der, where did you meet? What have you been up to-"
 "I'll tell you, sir and he did.
 "'Pon my soul!" sputtered the old gentleman. You've got me into pret- ty mess between you. Now, what are you going to do about it?" he de- manded in puzzled despair.
 Its all my fault" stammered Miss Lee. T didn't know how toto lie properly
 "Your fault, indeed!" cried Mrs. Bla- ker, with her arms around her. You're the bravest, sweetest, girl in all the world:.'
 "I'll do anything to straighten things out, sir" sighed Miss Lee.
 You will?" cried the cowboy. And again the reckless fun came into his eyes-and something more. 50 you shall! And I'll tell you how! And all the lies will come true besides! You said was your husband-and I'm go. ing to be. You said you were the vice. presidents daughter-and you will be Fin law. And love you-and-"
 "Oh!" gasped Miss Lee, "I-you-I can't-I've only know you one day. and"
 Yes, only one day, Marian, but a big, long day. Long enough for you to save my life and bring me home and make me love you"