Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1916-07-20
TO his employer Operator says the
party doesn't mind waiting"
O'Nafl froupad fmnatiantIv


shrugged resIgnedly Now run along
I'll see you In the morning"
His boys" made their way down e.
the street. talking guardedly as they
went.
O'Neil entered the ladies' parlor with
a feeling OF extreme annoyance. eX
pecting TO meet an inquisitive, bold
young woman bent upon exploiting hi
plans and his personality In the usual
inane journalistic fashion. He was
surprised and offended that Dan Apple
ton, in whom he had reposed the NJ
most faith, should have betrayed his
secret. Publicity was a thing he de
tested at all times. and at present he
particularly dreaded its effect But he
was agreeably surprised in the girl
who came toward him briskly with
hand outstretched
Miss Appleton was her brothers dou-
BILE. She had his frank blue eyes. his
straw gold hair. his humorous smile
and wide awake look. She was not by
any means beautiful = her features
were too irregular. her nose too tip
tilted. her mouth too generous for that
but she seemed crisp. clean cut and
wholesome What first struck O'Neil
was her effect of boyishness. From
he crown OF her plain straw sailor
10 the soles OF her sensible walking
boots there was no suggestion Of femi-
nine frippery. She wore plain shirt
waist and a tailored skirt. and her
hair was arranged simply. The wave
In its pale gold was the only conces-
sion TO mere prettiness. Yet she gave
no impression OF deliberate MASCULINE
ty. She struck one as merely not In.
terested In clothes, instinctively ex.
pressing In her dress her own boyish
directness and her businesslike absorp-
ton In her work.
You're furious, OF course. Anybody
would be-" she began. then laughed so
frankly that his eyes softened and the
wrinkles at their corners deepened.
IL fear ! was rude before learned
you were Dams sister" he apologized.
"But you see I'm q bit afraid Of news.
paper people"
81 knew you'd struggle, although Dan
described you as perfectly angelic
person"
1ndeedr'
But I'm a real reporter. so ! won't
detaln you long. don't care where
you were born or where you went 10
school or what patent breakfast food
you eat Tell me, are you going to
build another railroad?"
II hope so. I'm always building
roads when my bids are low enough to
secure the contracts. That's my bust.
ness"
"Are you going to build one in Alas
kaT'
Possibly. There seems TO be an op
portunity there, but Dan has probably
told you as much about that as ! am
at liberty to tell. He's been over the
ground"
She pursed her lips at him You
know very well, or you ought to know,
that Dan wouldn't tell me q thing
while he's working for you. He hasn't
said a word. but-e Is that why you
came In frowning like a thunder.
cloud7 Did you think he set me on
your trail?"
II think do know that he wouldn't
do anything really indiscreet" Muir
ray regarded her with growing favor
There was something about this boyish
girl which awakened the same spon
taneous liking be had felt upon his
first meeting with her brother. He
surprised her by confessing boldly:
IL am building a railroad-to the In
terror of Alaska. I've been east and
raised the money. My NEE are here
Well begin operations at once"
That's what Mr.. Gordon told me
about his scheme. but be hasn't done
much so far"
my line will put his out OF bust
ness; also that of the trust and the
various wildcat promoters"
Where does your road start from 2?
1.-THE town of Omar, on King Phillip
sound. near Hope and Cortez. 1t Will
run up the Salmon river and past the
glaciers which those other men re
fused 10 tackle"
IF | weep it is for joy" said the
girl. II don't like Curtis Gordon.
call him Simon Legree"
why"
"Weli. he impresses me as IA real old
time villain with the riding boots and
the whip and all that. Uncle Tom ;
Cabin Is my favorite play; it's so fun
ny. This is big story you've given
me. Mr. O'Neil."
81 realize that"
1T has the biggest news value OF
anything Alaskan which has broken
| for some time think you are very
nice person to interview. after ALL"
wait! | don't want you to use y
word of what I've told you"
Miss Appleton's clearly penciled
brows rose inquiringIy Then WHY
didn't you keep still?"
"You asked me. | told you becaus,
you are Dan Appletons sister. New
ertheless | don't want II made pub
lic.'
Lets sit down." said the girl. with
a laugh. ITO tell yon the truth.
didn't come here to interview you ~
my paper. I'm afraid I've tried you
patience awfully." faint flush tins
cd her clear complexion. IL just came
really. TO get some news OF Dan"
Hes perfectly well and happy, ano
a. a..