The Hartford republican., 1913-08-29
face and dishsselled appearance GER,

cfned, IL one might Judge from the
bulging muscles about his chest and
arms. He strode between John and
the girl.
who is this fellow? Has he been
molesting you, dear?" he demanded.
He called me dearest said the
girl, beginning to look fearful.
The man turned to John.
Unless you can explain your pres
ence here satisfactorily within one
minute" he said, Il shall first give
you the thrashing of your life and
then hand you over to the conductor" !"
I'm perfectly willing to explain my
presence here, sir" answered John
hotly, but first ! must find my wife.
She is aboard this train. God help US
II she isn't" A happy thought struck
him. Help me to find her." he said.
"and then we'll have the explana-
tions."
I'm willing to give you every op-
portunity," answered the other. Sup
pose you let me see the number of
that ticket in your hand" He took
1t from John. "E. ~ he said. This
is d. s. According to that ticket your
wife ought to be in the next compart-
ment."
He flung the door open and called
the conductor rs there a lady in
Z. ~" he asked.
mo, Sah," answered the man, grim
ming. "E. is vacant, sah.'
But let me explain" cried John,
thoroughly mortified. Il only bought
that ticket FIVE minutes ago. OF
course E. is empty. They wouldn't
have sold the section to me IL 1t haon't
been. was almost late for the train
and left my wife on the platform while
bought that ticket. My former num-
ber was-G something"
The other watched John make his Ia
bored explanation with cynical smile.
II certainly want you to have every
opportunity to explain why / found
you in my wife's section" he said.
Conductor. is there q G section on
this train?"
Yes, sab, right behind" answered
the darky.
Then suppose we go there" said
the athletic man, linking his arm in
Johns. "G-what did you say?"
1T was G IL or H." said John. I'm
not sure which. But II my wife isn't
there you'll find one Of those sections
empty. But she must be there" he
added eagerly. Come on, in heavens
name"
They passed through the section
and the next one was G. The door of
IL stood open and an enormously stout
lady was standing there, tanning her
burning face briskly.
mo, no, this Is not she," cried John,
seeing the expression of sarcastic in
terrogation upon the others face, and
turned across the aisle to IL. The
door was locked -
Conductor" shouted John. who
is in this section?"
The man came hurrying along. Il
guess it's empty, sir" he said, pro-
ducing . key, and opened the door.
Section IL was guiltless Of any occu-
pant. The stranger turned to John.
'Wiil you take your thrashing here
or back In Section E?" he asked, but.
toning his coat across the chest.
For Gods sake let me find my wife
and III take it wherever you like-and
give you as good as / get" John an
swered. Then suddenly his eyes lit
upon two figures that had entered the
car. There she Isl" he shouted ex-
uitantly.
Two women in brown hats and wells
were coming down the aisle. One was
Johns wife, the other the strange
woman, and both were radiant with
smiles.
John, dearest!" exclaimed Cynthia.
falling upon his neck. Just think!
That horrid Madame Rameses sold Ju-
liza precisely the same hat that she
sold to me. and she charged forty-five
dollars for 1t because she said that it
was an exclusively Partisan design.
o, I haven't told you. What do you
think! This lady is Julia Devoe, an
old school-chum whom haven't seen
for goodness knows how long"
Julia Sayles since this afternoon"
said the double, blushing charming
ly. Harry and l we're married at
IL o'clock at the
Harry" exclaimed Cynthia, and
she took the tall man by the shoul.
ders and swung him round hard SO
that he faced her. Harry! Harry
Ross!" she exclaimed.
you. Cynthia!" he muttered. and
all the athletic valor seemed suddenly
to have gone out Of him.
where have you been all these
years, Harry?" exclaimed Cynthia
Never mind. you shall tell me after
ward. Just think, John." she contin-
ued to her husband. If that silly old
Charlie Murtagh didn't put the tick
cts in my travelling bag. after ALL"
Charlie Murtagh!" exclaimed Julia.
"A stout young man with q pink face
and q whitish-brown mustache. blue
eyes. nigh forehead. and wears strip
ed ties to match his socks?"
why. Julia. do you know him?"