Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1916-12-21

SpTlnSlnS Slrl0eS, ana together Ihey
fairly SKINNED the pavements, turning
first this corner, then that, in the gem
eral direction from which Gordon
thought they had come, until at last,
three blocks away they caught the well
come whirr of a trolley. and breath
less, flew onward, just catching a car.
They cared not where it went so thai
they We're safe in a bright light with
other people. No diamonds on any
g~entielnan's neck scarf ever shone to
Celia's eyes with SO friendly a welcome
as the dun brass buttons on thai troll
ley conductors coat as he rang up
their fares and answered Gordon's
questions about how TO get to East
Liberty station; and their pleasant
homely CLEAN almost were her undo-
ing, for now that they We're safe at
last the tears would come to her eyes
Gordon watched her lovingly, ten
derby. glad that she did not know how
terrible had been her danger. Ills
heart was still beating wildly with the
thought of their marvellous escape. and
his w present responsibility. He
must run no further risks. They would
keep TO crowded trolleys, and trust to
hiding in the open. The main thing
was to get out of the city on the first
train they could manag to hoard.
When they reached East Liberty sta
ton a long train was just coming in,
ai sleepers, N they could neal the
echo of a stentorian voice:
Special for Harrisburg. Baltimore
and Washington! All aboard,' and up
at the further nj of the platform Cor
don saw the lank form of the detective
whom he had tried to avoid an hour
before at the other station.
Without taking time for thought he
hurried Celia forward and they sprang
breathlessly aboard. Not until they
were fairly in the cars and the wheels
n1NNTInYr under than. did - n-a,,, -, J;,,
that his companion had nothing to eat
since about II O'clock. She must be
famlsfed, and in a fair way to be ill
again. What a fool he was not to have
thought. They could have stopped in
some obscure restaurant along the way
as well as not n taken n later train.
and yet il was safer to get away at
once. Without doubt there were
watchers at East Liberty, too, and he
was lucky to have got on the train
without q challenge. He was sure that
detectives face lighted strangely as he
looked his way. Perhaps there was a
buffet attached to the train. At least.
he would investigate. If there wasn't,
they must get off at the next stop
there must be another STOP surely
somewhere near the city-he could not
remember. but there surely must be.
They a to wait some tine to get
the attention OF the conductor. He
w. ~ AA'2 '''Ni Va "ltl SoSiN
disgruntled passengers who each
claimed to have the same berth. Ger
don finally got his ear, and showing
his stateroom tickets inquired if they
could be used on this train,
No growled the worried conduc-
tor. you're on the wrong train. This
is ~ special, and every berth in the
train is taken now but one upper
Then, We'll have TO get off at the
next stop, | suppose. and take the
other train" said Gordon dismally.
There isn't any other stop till some
tell YOU Shis is "a special, and We're
scheduled to go straight through. East
Liberty's the last step
Then what shall we do?" asked
Gordon namely.
Tn sure don't know" snapped
to do without mending other
peoples mistakes. Stay aboard, 1 sup
pose, unless you want TO jump off and
commit suicide"
But 1 have 81 lady with me who isn't
at all WELL" said Gordon. with dignity.
S much the worse for the lady,
replied the conductor inhumanly.
There's one upper berth. l old you.
al upper berth wouldn't do for her
said Gordon decidedly. She isn't well,
1 tell YOU
Suit yourself" snapped the har-
assed official. I reckon it's better
than nothing. You may not have it
long. I'm likely to be asked for it the
next half minute"
is h a so? And is there absolutely
nothing else?"
Young man, I can't waste words on
you. l haven't time. Take 1t or let
it alone. IT'S all one to me-. There's
some standing room left in the day
coach, perhaps"
I'll take it," said Gordon meekly,
wishing he could go back n und the
last h~alf-hour. How in the world was
he to go II tell Celia that he could
provide her nothing better than an up
per berth?
She was sitting with her back to him.
her face resting YEARLY on her hand
against The window. Two men with
largely checked suits, big seal rings,
and diamond scarf pins sat in the OPP
posite seat. He knew it was most I'M
pleasant for her. A nondescript woman
with u Very large hat and thick powder
on her face shared Celia's seat. He
reflected that specials did not always
bear a select company.
is there nothing you can do?' he
pleaded with the conductor. as he took
the bit of pasteboard emitting him to
the last vacant berth. Don't you sup
and give her a lower berth? It'll be
very hard for her. She isn't used to
upper berths.'
His eyes rested wistfully on the bow
ed head. Celia had taken off her
plumed hat, and. the ftful light Of the
car played with the geld of her hair.
The conductors grim eye softened as
he looked.
THAT the lady? III see what I can
do he said briefly, and stumped off to
the next car. The miracle of her pres
ence had worked its change upon him.
Gordon went over to Celia and told
hr in a low tone that he hoped to have
arrangements made for her soon, SO
that she could be comfortable. She
must be fearfully tired with the excite
ment and fright nj hurry. He added
that he had made a great blunder in
getting on this train, and now there
was M chance to get off for several
hours. perhaps, and probably no supper
to be had.
"Oh. it doesn't matter in the least
said Celia YEARLY. I'm not at all
hungry" She almost smiled when she
said it. He knew that what she wanted
was to have her mind relieved about
the letters. But h really saw that
there was no opportunity now.
She ever seemed sorry at his trou-
bled look, n tried to smile again