Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1912-08-22
the unsuspecting officiaI:

ing up.
His curt indifference jolted Mar
jorie trife, but she rallied her forces
and came back with: How long dc
we stop at Ogden?'
Five minutes" very bluntly.
Marjorie poured maple syrup on hel
tone, as she purred: This train OF
yours is an awfully fast train, ism,
it," -
sort Of" said the conductor, with
Just a trace OF thaw. What followed
made him hold his breath, for the
outrageous little hussy was actually
saying: THE company must have a
great deal OF confidence in you to en-
trust the lives and welfare OF so many
people to your presence OF mind and
courage"
well, of course, can't say as to
that" Even Mallory could see that
the mans reserve was melting fast as
Marjorie went on with relentless
treacle:
Talk about soldiers and firemen
and Hfe-savers! think 1t takes a
Drawer man than any Of those to be
a conductor-really." s...
well, 1t Is kind Of responsible
Job" The conductor swelled his chest
a little at that, and Marjorie felt that
he was already hers. She hammered
the weak spot in his armor:
Responsible! should say 1t is.
Mr.. Mallory is soldier, but soldiers
are such ferocious, destructive peo-
pie, while conductors save lives, and
If were only a man l think 1t
would be my greatest ambition to be
a conductor-especially on an over
land express" ..
The conductor told the truth when
he confessed: well, I never heard
it 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 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%
mot If l 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 1t to your" She
turned her eyes on him at full candle
power, and smiled:
"Oh, l just wanted to do a little
shopping there"
"Shopping! While the train waits!
Excuse mel"
You see," Marjorie fiuttered, "by a
sad mistake, my baggage isn't on the
train. And l haven't any-any--l
really need to buy some-some things
very badly. It's awfully embarrassing
to be without them"
81 can imagine" the conductor
why don't you and your
husband drop off and take the next
train?"
MY husb-Mr. Mallory has to be
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 on
his coat sleeve, and wheedled: Don't
you think you might hold the train
just little tiny half houry
He was sorry, but he didn't see how
he could. Then she took his breath
away again, by asking, out Of a clear
sky: Are you married?"7
He was as awkward as II she had
to him, she answered for
him: ooh, but of course you are. The
women wouldn't let big, handsome,
noble brave giant like you escape
long" He mopped his brow in agony
as she went on: I'm sure you're
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. I'D love to oblige
you," he mumbled, "but 1t would be as
much as my jobs worth"
"How much is that?" Marjorie
asked. and added reassuringly. "r
you lost your Job I'm sure my father
would get you better one" ac
Maybe" said the conductor, but
got this one" ~ ....
Then his rolling eyes caught sight
Of the supposed husband gesticulating
wildly and evidently clearing for &C
ton. He warned Marjorie: Say, your
husband Is motioning at you"
Don't mind him." Marjorie urged,
lust listen to me. implore you.
II 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 hearth"
Mallory rushed into the scene and
the conductor, tearing Marjorie's arms
loose, retreated, gasping, mo! and l
don't want your husband to break my
head" ->
Mallory dragged Marjorie away, but
she shook her little fist at the con-