The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1912-05-24
CHAPTER XIV.
Tho Train Wrecker.

The train-bYtcher, entering the OBJ
servation Room, found only a loving
couple. He took in at glance their
desire for solitude. A large part OF
his business was the forcing OF wares
on people who did not want them.
His voice and his method suggested
the mosquito. Seeing Mallory and
Marjorie mutually absorbed I'm read
Ing each others eyes, and evidently
In need of nothing on earth less than
something else to read. the train
butcher decided that his best plan of
attack was to make himself a NUS
ance. 1t is plan successfully adopt
ed by organ-grinders, street pianists
and other blackmailers under the
guise OF art, who have nothing so
welcome to sell as their absence.
Mallory and Marjorie heard the
train-boy's hum, but they tried to ig-
more 1t.
Papers. gents and ladies? Yes?
No? Paris fashions. lady?"
He showed large periodical be-
tween their very noses, but Marjorie
threw 1t on the floor, with a bitter
glance at her own borrowed plumage:
Don't show me any Paris fash
ions!" Then she gave the boy his
congo by resuming her chat with NAL
lory: How long do We stop at Og.
den?"
The train-boy went right on auc-
tioning his papers and magazines,
and poking them into the laps sof his
prey. And they went right on talking
to one another and pushing his papers
and magazines to the floor.
II think I'd better get OF at Og-
den, and take the next train back.
That's just what I'll do Nothing.
thank you'll" this last to the train,
boy. '
But you can't leave me like this"
Mallory urged excitedly, with a side
glance OF mo, mol" to the train-boy.
can. and must, and WILL" Mar
jorie insisted. "I'll go pack my things
now" :.
I; but, Marjorie, listen to me-"
will you let me alone!" This to
the gadfy. but to Mallory a detected
wall: II just remembered. I
haven't anything to pack"
"And you'll have to give back that
waist to Mrs. Temple. You can't get
on at Ogden without waist"
TN go anyway. I want to get
home"
Marjorie. II you talk that way-IU
throw you of the train!"
She gasped. He explained: 81
wasn't talking to you: 1 was trying
to stop this photograph" Then he
rose, and laid violent. hands on the
annoyer, showed him to the corridor,
seized bis bundle OF papers from his
arm, and hurled them at his head.
They fell in shower about tho train
butcher, who could only feel q GER
tain respect for the one man who had
ever treated him as he knew he de-
served. He bent to pick up his scat
tered merchandise, and when he had
gathered his stock together, put his
head in, and sang out a sincere:
Excuse me-"
But Mallory did not hear him, he
was excitedly trying to calm the ex-
cited girl, who, having eloped with
him, was preparing now to eIope back
without him.
Darling, you can't desert me now"
he pleaded, "and leave me to go on
alone?"
We'll, why don't you do some
thing?" she retorted, in equal des-
peration. If I were a man, and
had the girl / loved on a train. I'd
get her married IL I had to wreck
the" she caught her breath, paused
q second in intense thought, and
then, with sudden radiance. cried:
Harry, dear!" 80
"Yes, Lowell"
Il have an idea-an inspiration!"
Z Yes, pet" rather ,dubiously from
him, but with absolute exultation from
her: Lets wreck the train!" ~
II don't follow you, sweetheart"
Don't you seer abe began excited
ly. when there are train wrecks
lot Of people get killed. and things.
A minister always turns UP to admin.
lister the last something or other
we'll"
"Well?"
well. stupid, don't you see? We
wreck q train. a minister comes, we
nab him, he marries us, and-there
we are! Everything's lovely!"
He gave her one of those looks |
with which man usually greets what |
woman calls an Inspiration. He did |
not honor her Invention with an
alysis. He simply put forward an OBJ
lection to 1t, and, man-like, chose the
most hateful Of all objections:
ITS lovely idea, but the wreck
would delay us for hours and hours,
and I'd miss my transport"
Harry Mallory, II you mention that
odious transport to me again, l know
I'll have hydrophobia. I'm going
home"
But darling" he pleaded, you
cant desert me now, and leave me to
20 on alone?" She had her answer
glib: !