Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1915-11-11
The Eolpent's Spur.


wheel of her own little runabout
waiting for her father. A train whia-
tied and presently the air vibrated
with sound a. It Numbered into the
station. Immediately there was =
chorus Of shouts as = man jumped
from the train and ran across the plat
form.
Stop him-stop him!"
The fugitive darted around tbs
building, fairly hurled himself into
the tonneau of the Stone car and
crouched In the bottom.
Start on anywhere! I'll explain ~
soon ~ we're on tie way!" be begged
For answer Marjorie pulled ne
starting lever and the beautiful biz
car glided away from the platform
just as the pursuers painted around
the building.
In moment the big machine purred
swiftly away from the depot and dis
appeared around the bend Of Bushy
road
When they were ten miles from the
station the man raised himself and
stepped over the seat to sit beside
Marjorie.
For the first time she took good
look at him and noted that he was
young in spite Of the gray hair that
edged his temples. He was well
dressed, but his clothing was covered
with dust
"Why did you save me?' he asked
abruptly.
II believe 1t was your gray hair"
confessed Marjorie, with a swift
glance in his direction. II thought
you were old, and IL do pity old
people"
81 feel old enough today" NUT
tered the man.
"You are in trouble?", she asked,
softly.
He nodded, 1T seems there was
some trouble in Benton-the large
town beyond here. was there on
business for my firm when received
a telegram saying that my father was
dying in Albany. sprinted for the
railroad station In, orGer to catch the
express. The whole town was out
chasing a bold thief who had been
working in daylight. l crossed his
trail and they thought was the man,
and couldn't persuade them to the
contrary So shook them OF and
/ held 'em OF with my revolver until
they reached here. saw you sitting
there and jumped in, and you know
the rest!"
"And you want to go to Albany"
asked Marjorie without questioning
his statement
He nodded gratefully.
1--WE are near the Central railway,
which will take you to Poughkeep-
sie," she said. 1--WE can reach there
in time for the 7:30-and do hope
you will reach there in time"
You are good" he said with deep
feeling
In few minutes they drew up at
the Central depot and she watched
him board the train and answered
the wave Of his hand with a hutter-
ing handkerchief until the rear car
disappeared In the woods.
Then she drove swiftly back to the
station, to find that her father had
arrived and was waiting. AS they
drove home in the twilight she told
him the story Of the fugitive and how
she had helped him to escape.
Mr.. Stone laughed skeptically and
shook his head.
"Oh, my romantic daughter!" he
leased her.
Marjorie blushed diyinely. IT you
had seen his eyes, daddy, you would
never have doubted him." she pro-
tested.
The next evening he showed her
the Newspaper he had brought from
town. In it was a full account Of the
Benton burglary and a picture OF the
thief, who had been caught.
@Daddys it's not 80 ! Psssenger!'
erred HarjoFie ;a1s.pol lhed did tell the
! truth, after all
Several weeks later Marjorie
waited once more at Rosebush sta
ton for her fathers arrival from
town.
When the train came in Mr.. Stone
was accompanied by man whose
form was familiar to Marjorie.
1t was her fugitive!
Tawny eyes and violet ones met
in glad glance and then the mans
hand went out in greeting as Mr.
Stone introduced him.
Marjorie, this is a son Of my old
friend, Arthur Gray. Gray died in
Albany . short time ago-and you
will bO glad to hear that you helped
young Arthur to reach his father in
time to bid him farewell
Thanks to you," said Arthur.
Marjorie said she was glad, and
then she became suddenly very shy,
so that the two men were compelled
to talk to each other as the big car
whirled them toward homo.
That was the beginning Of many
rides for Marjorie and Arthur Gray,
and with each return Of her strange
passenger he appeared to grow
younger.
At last they took one important
ride together, and when they returned
Marjorie wore q magic ring on the
third finger Of her left hand, and
both wore look Of unmistakablo Joy
In their faces.
Copyright, 1915, by the Mcclure News.
paper Eyndicate.)
Optimistic Thought.
Any time is the proper one for say.
ing what is just.