Ashland tidings. [volume] (Ashland, Or.) 1876-1919, 1912-12-09

VINO had so stOically rung up her fare
after receiving from her hands the
meager penny that she could find. She
wondered if the old gentleman would
be apt TO report the conductor for
negligence in not putting her off the
car.
The idea of being under obligations
to the conductor. who looked so much
like Ralph Fairlee, became so repug-
nant that Helen finally arose and walk
ed down the rapidly moving car toward
the rear. She was determined to alight
then and there and walk the remain
ing distance, whatever it might be. to
her home; also she would take the con-
ductor's number and send him 4 cents
the next day.
Her slender form swayed down the
aisle while close behind her staggered
the white bearded old gentleman who
had watched her so keenly. The con-
ductor was leaning against the door.
gazing idly at the dark shadows of the
fitting scenery. He did not see Helen
or the old gentleman so close behind
her until the car lurched over some lit
tie obstruction and came to stand
still.
The violent jerk sent Helen forward
straight into the arms of conductor No.
II, who also braced himself to receive
the form of the old gentleman. Then
the car jerked again, and the three fell
in an ignOminious heap on the floor of
the car, while the motorman rang his
gong frantically for some answering
signal from the conductor.
Hello hellO!" sputtered the old gen
tleman wrathfully as, being on top,
he was first to eXtricate himself from
the heap. This comes of meddling in
a business you don't understand in the
least, young man. l hope the young
lady isn't hurt"
Helen moaned family as conductor
No. II lifted her to a seat.
"lt's her ankle" announced the con
ductor as the contact of her foot with
the floor brought forth another cry of
pain.
The motorman jerked open the front
door and glared into the car
See here, Smith," he snarled, what
do you think this is anyway-a hos
pital or a d. L. J, suburban trolley?
We're four minutes late as it is
You will wait here four hours If
necessary" snapped the old gentleman,
breaking into the conversation before
the conductor could frame reply to
the motorman's remarks. AS a matter
of fact, the conductor was gazing down
at Helens face, which was whittier than
ever now through the heavy meshes OF
her shetland veil. She was leaning
back against the seat with closed eyes
The conductor stood watching her with
grimy clinched fists on his hips. Nei
ther girl nor conductor appeared to hear
the conversation between the motor
man and the aggressive old man.
"You will wait here four hours if
necessary" the old gentleman had
snapped.
"Wil, Ell? BY whose orders" The
motorman was dancing with excite
ment down the aisle.
by the orders of the president of
the company" yelped the old gentle
man, flashing card before the bewil-
dered eyes of the mOtorman.
by gosh. You don't say-of course
yes. Mr.. Fairlee. of course The
motorman danced back to the platform
and closed the door upon his chagrin
and modification.
Smith thundered Mr.. Fairee at
the conductor
Conductor No. II was chatting the
wrists of Helen Blair. passenger. and
did not even turn his head. 1t would
appear that the name was an unfa-
milar one to him. He did not re-
spond when it was repeated several
times, louder and louder.
At last:
Ralph thundered Mr.. Fairlee in
the conductors ear
"Well, father, what is it?" Conduc-
tor No. II turned Il sullen face toward
his father.
Are you going to give up this non
sense and come home with meT de-
manded his father, his old voice quak-
ing with an uncomfortable anxiety.
which he strove to conceal with an
unnatural gruffness.
I'm on duty here. Do you advise
ne to shirk that?" parried Ralph.
You can finish this run. of course
But will you come home to me to-
night? I've lost lot of my fool no
tions. and
But Ralph was as generous as his
father. mo, you needn't take back n
word of what you have said in the
past, dad. You were right about 1t.
But have shown you that can get a
job without influence of any sort and
that / can keep it for months. Oh,
dad. it's Helen here. She's off with ,
me. and there isn't the slightest use in
my ever trying to he much without |
her. | don't blame her. but
Ralph Fairlee, you goose" cried |
Ielens voice from behind as she |,
threw her arms around Ralph and his !
father. 81 knew you from the first, /
but you looked so much like yourself |
that | didn't dare