Charlevoix county herald. (East Jordan, Mich.) 189?-1953, 1912-10-12

"Well, 1t is a kind of Q 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 II IL.
Mr.. Mallory is soldier, but soldiers
are such ferocious, destructive peo-
pie, while conductors save lives. and
If i were only man i think 1t
would be my greatest ambition to be
a conductor-especially on an over
land express"
The conductor told the truth when
II 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 a 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?"
Not If can help it," the hero
averred, to reassure her.
81 wish 1t would" Marjorie muir
INJURED
The conductor looked at her in sur.
prise: why. what's it to your" Sho
power. and smiled:
"Oh, / just wanted to do a little
shopping there"
Shopping! While the train waitsl
, Excuse mel"
You see," Marjorie fiuttered, by
sad mistake, my baggage isn't on the
train. And haven't any-any-l
very badly. It's awfrlly embarrassing
to be without them"
II can imagine" the conductor
mumbled why don't you and your
husband drop off and take the next
train?"
MY husb-Mr. Mallory has to DO
in San Francisco by tomorrow night.
He just has to-"
$50 have l."
But to oblige me? To save me
from distress-don't you think you
could?" Like a sweet little child she
twisted one of the brass buttons GA
his coat sleeve, and wheedled: Don't
you think you might hold the train
just a little tiny half hour?"
He was sorry, but he didn't see how
he could. Then she took his breath
away again, by asking. out OF 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 brew 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?"
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 boil
ing rage, and the conductor was a
pitiable combination of Saint Anthony
and Tantalus. lid love to oblige
you" he mumbled, but 1t would be as
much as my jobs worth"
"How much is that?" Marjorie
asked, and added reassurilgly, IF
you lost your job I'm sure my father
would get you a better one"
Maybe" said the conductor, but
| I got this one"
Then his rolling eyes caught sight
Of the supposed husband gesticulating
wildly and evidently clearing for ac-
| ton. He warned Marjorie: Say, your
husband is motioning at you"
Don't mind him." Marjorie urged,
lust listen 10 me. l implore you
L" Seeing that he was still resist
ing. she played her last card, and,
crying, "Oh, you can't resist my pray
ers so cruelty" she threw her arms
around his neck. sobbing. DO you
want to break my heart"
Mallory rushed into the scene and
the conductor, tearing Marjorie's arms
loose, retreated. gasping. No! and |
don't want your husband to break my
head"
Mallory dragged Marjorie away, but
she shook her little fist at the con-
ductor, crying: DO you refuse? DO
you dare refuse?"
I've got to-" the conductor abject-
ly insisted.
Marjorie blazed with fury and the
siren became a Scylla. Then I'll zee
| that my father gets you discharged.
II you dare to speak to me again. III
order my husband to throw you on
this train. To think OF being refused
a simple little favor by mere con-
ductor! OF a stupid old emigrant
traini! of all things!!!"
Then she hurled herself into chair
and pounded her heels on the floor
in a tantrum that paraiyzed Mallory.
Even the conductor tapped him on the
shoulder and said: You have my SYM
pathy."
(To BE CONTINUED)
Jewels Damaged In the Post.