The Fairmont West Virginian. (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1904-1914, 1912-05-03
cAApTER XVI.
DetIlah and the Conductor.


come Of 1t. She advanced on the In
nocent conductor. as the lady from
Sorek must have sidled up TO Sam
fon, coqtetting with one arch hand
md shipping the shears with the
other. = $500
The stupened Mallory saw Mar
jorie in d startling, Imitation Of her.
sci. at her sweetest; only now Il was
brazen mimlery. vet how like! she
went forward ab the ­est young
thing in the world, pursed her lips IN
TO an ecstatic shipper, and began on
the unsuspecting ofiiciai: "
isn't the country perfectly"
yes, but I'm getting used to IT,
the conductor growled, without look
Ing up.
His curt indifference iolted Mar.
jorie q trine, but she rallied her Io1ces,
and came back with: How long do
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
TT" ;.
sort o[s SAID the f9addctorss "A
Just a trace of lthaR.i What followed
made him hold bis breath, fore the
I6ptSaseols little hdsH wss hctually
Isaytag: .;rhe .lcbmpat8 nriA 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" v
well, OF course, can't say as to
that" Even Mallory could sec that
the mans reserve was melting fast as
Marjorie went on with relentless
treacle:
Talk about soldiers and fremen
and life-savers! think It takes a
Drawer man than any OF those to be
q conductor-reatty."
We'll, 1t Is kind Of a responsible
Job" Tho conductor swellcd his chest
a little at that, and Marjorie felt that
he was already hers. She hammered
the weak spot In his armor:
A, Responsible! should say It Is.
Mr.. Mallory. Is soldier, but soldiers
are such ferocious, destructive peo-
Pile, while conductors save lives, and
ii Irwere only man think 1t
would be my greatest ambition to be
n conductor-especlally on an over
land express"
Thescondnctor told the truth when
he contested: We'll. I never heard
1t put just that way" Then he spoke
with a-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
10, obllge Marjorie. She stammered:
Il don't, suppose the train, by any
accident, would be delayed In leaving
Ogden?"r
Not II can help It," the hero
averred.' 10 reassure her.
Il wish It would" Marjorie muir.
INJURED. =, =
The conductor looked at her In sur.
prise: why, what's It to you?' She
turned her eyes on him at full candle
power, and smiled:
"oh, Just wanted to do a 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 | haven't any-any-l
really need to buy some-some things
very badly, IFS Ryfully: embarrassing
to be without them" IA
~ can imagine" the conductor
mumbled. why don't you. and, your
husband drop Of and take the, ue :F
train?" Nv
MY husb-Mr. Mallory has to be
in San Francisco by tomorrow night.
He Just has to-"
so have l."
But to oblige me? To save me
from ulStreBB-donL You mink 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 didn't see how
no 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: s'oh, but of course you are. The
women wouldn't let big. handsome.
noble. brave giant like you escape
long" He mopped hts 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 a
maiden in. distress. Well, here's your
chance. Won't you please hold the
traIn?" s"af'l atbi,tffl
sho actually had her cheek almost
against his shoulder, though abe had
to poise atiptoe to reach him. NAL
lorys 'd.s,hay was changing to a boil
ing rage, pnd the conductor was a
pitiable combination Of Saint Anthony
and Tantalus. lid love to oblige