Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1912-04-09
CHAPTER XII.
Observation-Disclosures.

It and SelZeQ IL VIII prayer W
thanks, and concealed it among her
own things.
Mrs. Temple gave her a guilty start,
by speaking across barrier:
Mrs. Mallory, your husband Is the
brarest man On earth
"Oh, | know he is Marjorie
beamed. and added with a.;:spasm OF
conscience: but he isn't my hus-
band"
Mrs. Temple gasped in horror. but
Marjorie dragged her close, and
poured out the whole story, while the
other passengers recovered their prop
critics with as much JOY as II they
were all new gifts found on a bush.
Meanwhile, under MaIlory's guild
ance. the porter fastened the outlaws
together back to back with the straps
Of their own feed-bags. The porter
was rejoicing that his harvest OF tips
was not hlighted after all.
Mallory completed his bliss. by CIV.
ing him Dr.. Temples brace OF guns,
and establishing him as jailer. With
warning: Nov, porter, don't take
your eye OF EN-"
"Lordy, / won't bat an eyelid.'
III either OF these lads coughs, put
hole through both Of en-.
The porter chuckled: MY fingers is
Just a.itchin' fer then lovin' triggers"
Mallsry pocketed two Of the cap
tured revolyers, lest q need might
arise suddenly again. AS he hurried
down the aisle, he was received with
cheers. The passengers gave him an
ovation, but he only smiled ttmidly,
and made haste to Marjorie's side.
She regarded him with such idol
airy that he almost regretted his deed.
But this mood soon passed in her e1.
element and in moment she was
surreptitiously showing him the
bracelet. He became an accessory
after the fact, and shared her guilt,
Tor when she groaned with sudden
droop: She'll get it back" he srimly
answered, oh, no she won't" hoist.
ed the window, and flung the bracelet
into little pool by the side OF the
track, with a farewell: Goodbye,
trouDle,"
AS he drew his head in. side
glance showed him that up near the
engine third tran.robber held the
miserably weary train crew in line.
He found the conductor just about
10 pull the bellrope, to proceed The
conductor had forgotten all about the
rest of tie staff. Mallory took him
aside. and told him the situation, then
turned to Marjorie. said: Excuse me
. minute" and hurried forward. The
conductor followed Mallory through
the train into the baggage coach.
The first news the third outlaw had
OF the colnter-revolution occurring III
the sleeping car was mysterious
bullet that ficked the dust near his
heel and sonorous shout OF Hands
up," As he whirled in amaze, he
saw two revolrers aimed point blank
at him from behind a trunk. He
hoisted his guns without parley, and
the train crew trussed him up in short
order.
Mallory ran back to Marjorie, and
the conductor followed more slowly,
reassuring the passengers in the other
cars. and making certain that the
train was ready to move on its way.
Mallory went straight 10 Dr.. lem.
ple. with a burning demand:
You dear old fraud, will you marry
me?"
DR.. Temple laughed and nodded.
Marjorie and Mrs. Temple had been
telling him the story OF the prolonged
elopement. and he was eager to atone
for his own deception, by putting an
end to their misery.
Just wait one moment he said,
and as final proof Of affection, he
unDuttoned his collar and put it on
backwards. Mrs. Temple brought out
the discarded bib, and he donned it
meekiy. The transformation ex-
planned many a mystery the old man
had enmeshed himself in.
Even at he made ready for the
ceremony, the conductor appeared.
looked him over, grinned, and reached
for the bell-cord, with cheerful: All
aboard"
Mallory had a sort of superstitious
dread, not entirely unfounded on eX-
perience, that If the train got under
way again, it would run into some
new obstacle to his marriage. He
turned to the conductor:
Say, old man. just hold the train
till after my wedding, won't you?"
1t was not much to ask in return
for his services. but the conductor
was tired Of being second in com.
mand. He growled:
Not minute. We're way behind
time"
You might wait till I'm married."
Mallory pleaded.
Not on your life!" the conductor
answered, and he pulled the bell-rope
twice; in the distance, the whistle an.