Omaha daily bee., 1915-10-17
The Restitution Fund

Groans and shrieks unspeaksble issued
from the closed doors Of the Pullman
drawing room, and the two girls. who
were the only occupants OF the car,
looked at each other in concern.
Some one is i'll" said the younger and
more vivacious. She was very handsome
and about 20.
The other girl, who was about q, and
more sedate. though there was the twin
kle of humor in her brown eyes, listened
intently to the agonizing noises that rose
above the rattle and rumble and scrcech
of the jerky train then she touched the
bell at her side; and the two. apparently
sisters, from their likeness of feature and
from the neat half-mourning, waited in
vain for the porter.
Groans and shrieks unspeakable; walls
OF anguish; cries of mortal agony; wild
despairing screams!
Il can't stand it any longer, Fanniel'
and the younger of the two girls jumped
up.
Her sister hesitated, then followed to
the door of the drawing room, outside Of
which they stood for a moment; while
those terror-inspiring sounds rose above
the loud rattle of the train.
II was Fannie who at last knocked. No
one came; only the groans and shrieks
responded. The girls looked at each
otSer in frightened pallor.
Just turn the knob, Violet and wen
peep in" finally advised Fannie.
you do it's breathlessly returned Vio-
let her hand on the knob nevertheless.
An extra loud shrek seemed to ami
mate Violets hand. for it aturned the
knob, and the girls peeped timidly
>IAxr Nod
numbed by the unexpected sight which
met their eyes, and lurch of the train
jerSed the door from violets hand and
swung IT wide.
+. welcome, ladies'" greeted the lean.
lank musician, with a flourish of his
saxophone, and another flourish with his
unoccupied hand. Wont you come In
and listen to the concert7'
The two girls emerged from their stu
por and began to turn pink with em-
barrassment.
so sorry" epologized Fannie. but sud-
denly Violet giggled.
Frankly" she explained, I'VE thought
some one was dying in here" and the
broad chested man with the huge dia-
mond' in his .cravat. chucldeds his wide
shoulders heaving and his eyes half clos
ing.
what is your favorite musical selec-
tion?"
Tell him The wearin'' Of the Green
Miss Violet" broke in a rich voice, and
a red-faced conductor stood there, his
eyes twinkling.
II was" grinned the musician, but I'll
play it again."
'NOh, was your" retorted the broad
shouldered man. Then don't"
Both the girls laughed, and the gifted
amateur turned to the conductor with a
well assumed expression OF grievance.
This is rough on real art" he COM
planned. II try to cheer my gloomy COM
panion with little light lit. and the
young ladies rush to minister to one dy-
ing In pain. II you won't come in. ladies,
may i entertain you outsider
They had just turned laughingiy to go
back TO their seats when a giistening
haired little jap with a preternaturally
solemn face came stalking back through
the car and handed the conductor a note.
The conductor read 1t; said gruffly; mo
answer" and the Jap went away.
The faces Of the girls changed instantly.
as they saw the stationery. with Its shad-
ow-like imprint OF flying bird across
the face of the envelope.
'-The Swallow" and Fannie's low voice
filled with sadness.
''Oh, Mr. OConneIt' exclaimed Violet,
and two quick tears sprang into her eyes.
els the"
yes, Miss Violet and Conductor
OConnel gave a little motion of his neck
which might have been a gulp. II wasn't
going to tell you, but we're hauling The
Swallow on behind. and young Falls Is
in it with souse party"
The two girls. all the sparkle gone out
Of them. turned away and went slowly
back to their seats where they sat sor-
rowfully, hand clasped in hand
whats a swallow inquired the lean
ana lank musician, a troubled expression
Ia HIS black eyes as they followed Violet
and her sister.
The Swallow" Conductor oConnel
trowned as he punched the tickets. 1T
used TO belong to these young ladies.
Their father built 1t for them-Warden,
owner OF this road. When he died old
IL II. Falls somehow or other got the
road. and Miss Violet and Miss Fannie
that I've hauled since they were babies
haven't a cent" OConnel gulped, and
his face turned redder. TITS damn
shameI' he suddenly blurted, having
held his tongue as long as he could.
''Old Falls skinned 'em. that's what he
did. out OF S5.OOoOool"
skinned emil" The lean and lank mu-
stefan looking back at pretty Violet War
den. became suddenly furious. Girls like
thatl"
Orphans like theml" and OConnel
plOdded through the car. too indignant
for further conversation.
Say. JIM" said the black-mustached
musician. did you hear that outraseT'
YES" replied the big man, frowning
as he lit q thick. black cigar.
Blackie gazed out OF the door to where
the beautiful golden head OF Violet War