Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1912-12-05

a lift Of his cap he went back to his
station on the rear platform.
Clans. clang, CHATTER, went the ear,
while Helen's agitated thoughts kept
company to the beating of her heart
and the throbbing Of the motor,
An elderly gentleman sitting oppo-
site to Helen peered ut her over his gold
spectacles. She noticed that he look
ed keenly after the young conductor
who had so stoically rung up her fare
after receiving from her hands the
meager penny that she could find. She
wondered if the old gentleman would
be apt TO report the conductor Tor
negligence in not putting her on the
car.
The idea of being under obligations
10 the conductor, who looked so much
like Ralph Fairlee, became so repug-
napt that Helen finally arose and walk
ed down the rapidly moving car toward
the rear She was determined TO allght
then and there and walk the remain
ing distance. whatever 1t might be, to
her home: also she would take the CON
ductor's number and send him 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 keenly, The con
/ ductor 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 Ut
! tie obstruction and came to stand
! still.
The violent jerk sent Helen forward
/ straight into the arms Of conductor NO.
II. who also braced himself to receive
the form of the old gentleman. Then
the car ierlled again, and the three fell
/ In an ignominious heap on the floor of
/ the car, while the motorman rang his
gong frantically for some answering
/ signal from the conductor.
Hello, hellow 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 you don't understand in the
least. young man l hope the young
/ lady isn't hurt"
Helen moaned family as conductor
No II 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 ierked open the front
door ana glared into the car,
"See here smith" he snarled, what
do you think this is anyway-a hos
pital or y. L. J. suburban trolley?
We're four minutes late as it is"
you win wait here four hours il
necessary" snapped the old gentleman,
breaking into the conversation before
the conductor could frame reply to
the motorman's remarks As a matter
OF fact. the conductor was gazing down
at Helens 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 clnched 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 il
necessary" the old gentleman had
snapped.
"WiI 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 n card before the Devil
dered eyes of the motorman.
by gosh! You don't say-of course
yes. Mr. Fairlee Of courser The
motorman danced back to the platform
and closed the door upon his chagrin
and modification
smith, Numbered Mr.. Fairlee at
the conductor.
Conductor No. II was chatting the
wrists of Helen Blair, passenger. and
did not even turn his head. It would
appear that the name was an unfa-
miliar 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. n turned a sullen face toward
his father
Are you going to give up this non
sense and come home with me% de-
manded his father, his old voice quak-
ing with an uncomfortable anxiety,
which he strove to conceal with an
unnatural gruffness.
TIM on duty here. DO you advise
me 70 snirk that parted Ralph
You can finish this run, Of course.
Rut will you come home to me to-
njghtf I've lost a lot Of my fool mo-
tians and"
Eut Ralph was as generous MS his
father "No you needn't take back n
word Of what YOU have said in the
past dad You were right about IT,
Bur ! have shown YOU that can get a
al without Influence Of any sort and
that / can keep ii Cor months Oh,
dad it's Helen here. She's off with
mic and there isn't the slightest use in