Mexico Missouri message., 1912-11-28

sat absentmindedly patting Marjorie
on tho back and repeating:
Don't worry honey, they're not
going to hurt anybody. They don't
want anything but our money. Don't
worry, won't let EN- hurt you"
But he could not shake or seue
Of nausea He felt himself repre-
sentative OF the military prowess OF
the country. and here he was as help
less as a man on parole.
The fact that Mallory was sol
der occurred to a number OF the pas
sengers simultaneously. They had
been trained by early studies in those
beautiful works of fiction the school
histories Of the United states. and by
many Fourths Of July, 20 believe that
the American soldier is an invincible
being. who has never been defeated
and never known fear.
They surged up TO Mallory In a
wave Of hope Or. Temple, being near
est, spoke first Having learned by
experience that his own prayers were
not always answered as he wished,
IhQ an I'M ihlrt " u , oDAAN
he had never used.
Young man" he pleaded across the
back Of seat. will you kindly lend
me gum"
Mallory answered sullenly: Mine is
In my trunk on the train ahead, damn
il. II had II I'd have a lot OF fun"
Mrs Whitcomb had an inspiration.
She ran to her berth, and came back
with a tiny silvcr-pated revolver.
IN lend you this. Sammy gave IT
to me to protect myself in Nevada
Mallory smiled at the .22-caliber
toy, broke it open, and displayed an
empty cylinder.
Where are the pills that go with
it," he said.
"Oh, Sammy wouldn't let me have
any bullets. lie was afraid I'd hurt
myself
Mallors returned #, with a bow. 1t
would make an excellent nut-cracker."
Aren't you going to use ~" Mrs.
Whitcomb gasped
ITS empty Mallory explained.
But the robbers don't know that!
Couldn't you just overawe them with
it,"
Not with that" said Mallory, "un-
less they died laughing"
Mrs. Wellington pushed forward:
Then what the deyil are you going to
do when they Gomez
Mallory answered meekly; III they
request it. shah hold mp my hands.
And you won't resist?" Kathleen
gasped
Not resist
And ne calls himself a soldier!"
she sncered.
Mallory writhcd, but all he said
was: a soldier doesn't have to be a
iackass. | know just enough about
guns not to monkey with the wrong
end Of EN-"
Coward" she flung at him. lie
turned white, but Marjorie red, and
made a leap at her, crying: He's the
| bravest man in the world. You say q
word, and I'll scratch your eyes out
This reheartened Mallory a little
and he laughed nervously, as he re.
/ strained her. Kathleen retreated out
/ Of danger. with parting shot: Our
engagement is OF"
Thanks, Mallory said. and put out
his hand: will you return the brace
LETT"
Il never return such things" said
| Kathleen.
The scene was so painful and such
an anaChronism that DR. Temple tried
/ TO renew a more pressing subject:
It's your opinion then that we'd best
surrender"
/ of course-since We can't run"
Wedgewood broke in impatiently
Well, | consider It a dastardly out
rage. I'll not submit to it. I'm &
subject OF His Majesty the"
You're a subject OF His Majesty
the Man Behind the Cum said Nal
. lory.
Il shall protest. none the less.
! Wedgewood insisted.
Mallory grinned a little Have yol
any last message TO send home L
your mother?"
/ Wedgewood was a trife chilled a
this "D-don't talk OF such things" n,
said
And by this time the train-robber
had hastily worked their way through
the other passengers, and reached tn
frantic inhabitants OF the sleeper
"Suowdrop."
Hands up, Higher Hands up"
With a true sense OF the dramatic
the robbers sent ahead OF them tn
q most hair-raising yells. They arrives
simultaneously at each end OF tn
p aisle, and with few short sharp CON
e. mands, Strengthened the disorderl
: rabble into a beautiful line, with al
} palms aloft and all eyes wide an
. wild
One robber drove ahead OF him IN
I | conductor and the other drove In Nj