The Tabor independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1913-19??, 1916-12-21

Springing strides. and together they
fairly SKINNED the ~pavements, turning
first this corner. then that, In the gen.
eral direction from which Gordon
thought they had come, until at last
three blocks away they caught the well
come whirrv of a trolley. n breath
less, flew onward, Just catching a car,
They cared not where 1t went SO that
they were safe in a bright light with
other people. No diamonds on any
gentleman's neck scarf ever shoDe to
Celia's eyes with so friendly a welcome
as the dull brass buttons on that troll
ley conductors coat as he rang up
their fares n answered Gordon
questions about how to get to East
Liberty station; inc their pleasant
homely CLEAN almost were her undo
ing. for now that they were safe at
last the tears would come to her eyes.
Gordon watched her lovingly, e
derby, glad that she did not know how
terrible had been her danger. His
heart was still beating wildly with the
thought OF their marvellous escape, and
his own 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 manage to board.
When they reached East Liberty sta
ton a long train was just coming in,
all sleepers, n they could hear the
echo of a StentOrian voice:
Special for Harrisburg, Baltimore
and Washington! All aboard!' and up
at the further end 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 sprapg
breathlessly aboard. Not until they
were fairly in the cars and the wheels
moving under them did il occur TO him
that his companion had nothing to eat
since about IL o'clock. She must be
famished, and In n fair way to be i'll
again. What a fool he was not to have
thought! They could have stopped in
some obscure restaurant along the "a
as well as not and taken a later train,
and yet II 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 a 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 had to wait some time to get
the attention of the conductor. He
was having much trouble with soAse
disgruntled passengers who each
claimed to have the same berth. Cor
don finally got his ear, and showing
his stateroom tickets inquired If they
could he used on this train.
No" growled the worried conduc-
tor. you're on the wrong train. This
is a special, and every berth in the
train is taken now but n upper"
Then, Wen have TO get off at the
other train" said Gordon dismally.
There isn't any other stop till some
where in the middle of the night. ]
tell you 9his 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.
I'm sure ] don't know" snapped
the conductor. II have enough
to do without mending other
peoples mistakes. Stay aboard. I SUI
pose, unless you want TO jump off and
commit suicide"
But l have a 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 upper berth, / told you.
IAN upper berth wouldn't do for her."
said Gordon decidedly. She isn't well,
/ tell YOU"
Suit yourself" snapped the har-
assed official. Il reckon it's better
long. I'm likely to be asked for 1t the
next half minute"
us that so? And is there absolutely
nothing else?"
Young man, | can't waste words on
you. l haven't time. Take il or let
it alone. It's all n to me. There's
some standing room left in h day
coach, perhaps"
IN take It," said Gordon meekly,
wishing he could go back and undo the
last half-hour. How in the world was
he to go and 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 il was most un-
pleasant for her. A nondescript woman
with a very large hat and thick powder
on her face shared Celia's seat. He
reflected that specials did not always
bear a select company.
rs 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 vol sup
pose you could get some man TO change
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 f1tful light Of the
car played with the gold of her hair.
The conductors grim, eye softened as
he looked.
THAT the lady7 III see what I can
do" he said briefy, m 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, 30
that she could be comfortable. She
must be fearfully tired with the excite
ment and fright n hurry. He added
that he had made a great blunder in
getting on this train, and now there
was no chance 10 get off for several
hours, perhaps, and probably no supper
to be had.
"Oh, il doesn't matter In the least"
said Celia YEARLY. Pm not at all
hungry" She almost smiled when she
said it. He knew that what she wanted
wrar IN have har mind rGlipNp6 about