The Delta independent., 1912-08-02
CHAPTER XVI.
peIIIah and the condueto


worst OF men, Marjorie was perfectly
willing to do evil, that good might
come of it. She advanced on the in.
nocent conductor, as the lady from
Sorek must have sidled up to Sam.
son, coquetting with one arch hand
and shipping the shears with the
other.
The stupefied Mallory saw Mar
jorie in startling imitation of her
self at her sweetest; only now it was
brazen mimicry, yet how like! She
went forward as the shyest young
thing in the world, pursed her lips in
to an ecstatic simper, and began on
the unsuspecting official:
Isn't the country perfectly"
Yes, but I'm getting used to 1t"
the conductor growled, without look
ing up.
His curt Indifference jolted Mar
jorie trifie, but she rallied her forces,
and came back with: How long dc
we stop at Ogden?"
Five minutes" very bluntly.
Marjorie poured maple syrup on her
tone, as she purred: This train OF
yours Is an awfully fast train, isn't
it?"
Sort Of" said the conductor, with
Just a trace of thaw. What followed
made him hold his breath, for the
outrageous little hussy was actually
saying: THE company must have a
great deal OF confidence in you to en-.
trust the lives and welfare OF SO many
people to your presence of mind and
courage"
well, of course, / can't say as to
that" Even Mallory could see that
the mans reserve WAS melting fast as
Marjorie went on with relentless
treacle:
Talk about soldiers and firemen
and life-savers! l think 1t takes
braver man than any of those to be
a conductor-really."
We'll, 1t is a kind of responsible
job" The conductor swelled his chest
little at that, and Marjorie felt that
he was already hers. She hammered
the weak spot in his armor:
"Responsible! should say 1t is.
Mr.. Mallory is a soldier, but soldiers
are such ferocious. destructive peo-
pie, while conductors save lives, and
If l were only man l think 1t
would be my greatest ambition to be
conductor-especially on an over
land express"
The conductor told the truth when
he confessed: well. l never heard
1t put Just that way" Then he spoke
with little more pride, hoping to in
crease the impression he felt he was
making: The main thing. OF course.
is to get my train through On Time!"
This was facer. He was going to
get his train through On Time just
to oblige Marjorie. She stammered:
Il don't suppose the train, by any
accident. would be delayed in leaving
Ogden?"
mot If can help It," the hero
averred, to reassure her.
II wish 1t would" Marjorie mur-
INJURED.
The conductor looked at her In sur
prise: why, what's 1t to your" She
turned her eyes on him at full candle
power. and smiled:
"Oh, l Just wanted to do little
shopping there"
Shopping! While the train waits!
Excuse mel"
you see," Marjorie fiuttered, by a
sad mistake, my baggage isn't on the
train. And l haven't any-any-l
really need to buy some-some things
very badly. It's awfully embarrassing
to be without them"
II can imagine" the conductor
mumbled. why don't you and your
husband drop OF and take the next
| train?"
my husb-Mr. Mallory has to be
in San Francisco by tomorrow night.
He just has tot"
$50 have l."
But to oblige me? To save me
from distress-don't you think you
could?" Like sweet little child she
twisted one OF the brass buttons on
his coat sleeve. and wheedled: Don't
you think you might hold the train
Just little tiny half hour?"
He was sorry, but he Cidn't see how
he could. Then she took his breath
away again, by asking, out OF a clear
sky: Are you married?"
He was as awkward as II she had
proposed to him. she answered for
him: "Oh. but OF course you are. The
women wouldn't let big, handsome,
noble brave giant like you escape
long" He mopped his brow in agony
as she went on: I'm sure you're a
very chivalrous man. I'm sure you
would give your life to rescue q
maiden in distress. Well, here's your
chance. Won't you please hold the
train?"
She actually had her cheek almost
against his shoulder, though she had
to poise atiptoe to reach him. NAL
lory's dismay was changing to a boil
ing rage, and the conductor was q