Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1912-09-16
The Argus Daily Story
Conductor No. 77-By Clarissa Mackie.
COPYRIGHTED 1912. by Associated Literary Bureau

like Ralph Fairlee. became so repug-
Uant that Helen finally arose and walk
ed down the rapidly moving car toward
the rear She was determined to aHght
then and there and walk the remain
ing distance, whatever II might be, TO
her home; also she would take the con-
ductor's number and send him 4 cents
the next day
Her slender form swayed down the
aisle, while close behind her staggered
the white bearded old gentleman who
had watched her SO keeuly. The con-
Guctor was leaning against the door,
gazing idly at the dark shadows of the
fitting scenery. he did not see Helen
or the old gentleman so close behind
her until the car lurched over some lit
tie obstruction and came to stand
still.
The violent jerk sent Helen forward
straight into the arms of conductor No.
~. who also braced himself to receive
the form Of the old gentleman. Then
the car jerked again, and the three fell
in an i~nomiuious heap on the floor OF
the car. while the motorman rang his
signal from the conductor.
Hello. hellor sputtered the old gen
tleman wrathfully, as being on top,
| he was first to eXtricate himself from
( the heap. This comes of meddling In
/ a business yen don't understand in the
/ least. young man. l hope the young
/ lady isn't hurt"
Helen moaned family as conductor
/ No - lifted her to seat.
ITS her ankle" announced the con-
/ ductor as the contact OF her foot with
the floor brought forth another cry Of
pain.
The motorman jerlSed open the front
4. door and glared into the ear.
"See here. Smith" he snarled. what
do you think this is anyway hos
pital or a y. L. ]. suburban trolley?
We're four minutes late as it is"
You win wait here four hours If
necessary" snapped the old gentleman.
breaking into the conversation before
the conductor could frame "A reply to
the motorman's remarks. As = matter
Of fact, the conductor was gazing down
at IIelen's face, which was whittier than
ever now through the heavy meshes OF
her shetland veil. She was leaning
| back against the seat with closed eyes.
The conductor stood watching her with
grimy clinched fists on his hips. Nei-
Their girl nor conductor appeared to hear
the conversation between the motor
man and the aggressive old man.
You will wait here four hours II
necessary" the old gentleman had
snapped.
"Will. Ell? BY whose orders" The
motorman was dancing with excite
: ment down the aisle,
| by the orders Of the president OF
the company" yelped the old gentle
man, flashing Il card before the Devil
dered eyes Of the motorman.
"By gosh! You don't say-of course
2 yes. Mr.. Falrlee. of course" The
| motorman danced back to the platform
and closed the door upon his chagrin
l and modification.
smith Numbered Mt Fairlee at
. the conductor.
| Conductor No. II was chatting the
| wrists of Helen Blair, passenger, and
did not even turn his head. 1t would
| appear that the name was an unfa-
, miIlar one to him. He did not re-
spond when it was repeated several
, times, louder and louder.
At last:
"Ralph" Numbered Mr. Fairlee in
; the conductors ear.
We'll, father, what Is it?" Conduc-
tor No. II turned sullen face toward
: his father.
Are you going to give up this non
sense and come home with me|' de-
, mandcd his father. his old voice qualc-
ing with an uncomfortable anxiety.
which he strovc 10 conceal with an
, unnatural gru1ness.
, I'm on duty here. DO you advise
{ me to shirk thatF" parted Ralph
, "You can finish this run, Of course.
But will you come home to me -
night? Fve lost a lot Of my fool no
lions, and
t But Ralph was as generous as his
father. NO, you needn't take back a
, word OF what you have said in the
past. dad. You were right about It.
But have shown you that ] can yet n
r Job without influence Of any sort md
+ that ! can keep IL for months. Oh.
dad. It's Helen hcrel She's of with
me- and There isn't the slightest use in
my ever trying 10 he much without
her. I don't blame her, but
"Ralph Fairlec you goose" cried
Tclen's voice from behind as she
throw her arms around Ralph and his
| father. Il knew you from the first,
but you looked 50 much like yourself
fr.t didn't darn