Western liberal. (Lordsburg, N.M.) 1887-1919, 1914-10-09

i've caught clancy at BElBnlSlue.
He'll answer from MELVILLE"
Better come outside" urged the
guide. "Be about Eve minutes before
you en- get an answer"
Benny walked out Of the stufy Don
In a daze, the tall man going or about
his own affairs with the promise that
he would return shortly.
The crisp air cleared Mr.. Todd's
brain somewhat, bringing a sharp reali-
cation Of his unfortunate ~predicament.
OF course Pansy would be found soon,
but would he have the nerve to con-
tinue that perilous journey to New
York after his ignominious blunder?
He clinched his pudgy fists and
stamped one tiny foot in impotent an
ger.
His high friend logged his elbow.
thine fer yer answer" he remarked.
Again they confronted Herb.
Anything doin'?"
Got Clancy all right. He says there
is no such party on the train" Herb
grabbed n pencil and became intensely
interested in the dot and dashed re-
marks Of a man down the line.
'T've lost her! I've lost herr
Benjy's wall drowned momentarily
the brassy voices Of the saunders.
A thick set, iron gray man strobe
into the room with an authoritative
manner
He glanced sharply at the tiny Ag-
ure in his path.
"What's the troubleT' he rasped.
"My wifer' choked Benny. She's
alone in this town an / amt with her
to perfect her. It's all because the
train pulled out on me an l had aholt
Of 1t all the time, an'"-
Here! Start that all over again."
cut in the thick set man bruskly.
Painfully Benny retraced his declam-
atory steps and reclted his tale of woe.
The human interest element Of his
story met with no response; his hearer
was evidently thinking of more weighty
practical matters.
"An' there l was" moaned the little
fellow in conclusion, "holdin' on to the
last car fr dear life an'-an' the train
Just busted in the middle an up an
went"
The thick set mans frown evinced
his sudden interest. Here was some-
thing worthy his attention. This was
more important than interrupted honey
moOns-something practical.
Somebody call Barton and Man.
ning." he ordered in a fintlike voice.
Two men In uniform appeared and
fairly groveled before their irate chief.
Say" he burst out. that's the Sec
ond time this week that you fellows
have left a dead car on 10. What do
you think we're running here-a civil
lied station or a guessing contest
hey? 1 don't suppose the car was
placarded, hey"
No answer except a confused muir
mur and the scufiing Of feet.
Suppose o left the doors unlocked,
too, heyT"
The gangling car inspector had a
perfectly good thought. 1t flashed
forth, sending Il look OF almost human
intelligence across his masklike cOun-
tenance.
He nudged Benny. "Be back in a
minute" he whispered as he dived
through the door.
Benjamin Franklin had an indistinct
impression that he was ~overhearing
two men getting theirs in no uncertain
terms. But he had a decidedly more
distinct impression Of what he should
say to Ma and Pa Butterworth when
he returned to Bayheld-alone. Pa
was not so bad; he was a sort of weak
sister himself.
But Ma Butterworth! The tears
cOursed frankly down the bridegroom's
round cheeks at the thought and drip
ped dolefully on his gala waistcOat.
His grim reverie was interrupted by
the temperance Of the gangling one,
who thrust his head in at the door.
Found her" he announced lacon-
ically.
An amazing leap brought Mr.. Todd
to the threshold. Two more landed
him at the foot OF the stairs. By dint
Of the utmost effort he kept the flying
overalls in sight, over tracks again and
through vestibules.
They came to a final stop beside the
fatal car.
"Seen her inside" vouchsafed the in
spectOr and discreetly disappeared.
Benny few up the stairs-and paused.
In the ~superexalted c%erebration with
which the next moment was fraught
burst into refulgent being the reputa-
ton for ~impregnable strength that
would be his forever-so far as his
wife was concerned.
He opened the door and entered the
car Jauntily.
There, among her various belongings,
sat Pansy In the sharp radiance cast
through the car window by an arc
light outside. =
"Hello, Pansyw he greeted her cas-.
lily. "YOu all right?"
when is this train goin' to startT'
she asked, a bit anxiously.
'sThe train fr N'York? Oh, that's
went" said Benny in an offhand man.
ner. "YOu don't carr such an awful
lot about goin' there. do your
IL don't much care where we are