The Washburn leader., 1916-03-31
AL SHE HAD TO DO
x;g e J
sy KEITH KENYON.

OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES sssssss3
1t Just happened that day that every.
thing had been going to the ever
lasting bowwows. as Hampden himself
expressed it through his clenched
teeth. The New York wires were de-
layed on account Of the storm and
even on the local line 1t was almost
impossible to get q clear, connected
message through.
"Central!" he called. Central!
What's the matter with this wire,
anyhow? I've been hanging on to the
end of the line for an hour trying to
get a number" e.
Wires down below Grand Indian"
she answered pleasantly. Kingston
does not respond"
Hampden muttered something which
sent both places hurtling merrily after
Sodom and Gomorrah's fate, and called
again.
Look here. I've got to catch New
York tonight before six. It's more
than my luck that hangs on it. There's
q fellow down there who may commit
suicide tonight If he doesn't get my
word that things are all right, see? I
got a letter-hello, hello! Don't cut
me of, please"
'I'm listening" said Central.
"He thinks he was ruined in q
plunge of stock this morning, and I've
got over half of his cash safe, see!
Pulled 1t out with my own on yester-
days sales. My wife's sick up here,
and had to come. He thinks I got
cold feet and ran away. Now, we've
got to get word to him at once that
he's all right. You and have got to
put this through or there's going to be
one dead boy down there by morning.
Take a message, can you, and get 1t
through by telegraph anywhere along
the line?"
Hold the wire. I'll see," said Cen
tral.
Hampden held It. frowning out at
the trees, crystal white with ice and
snow.
Hello, Just a minute, please" she
called back. II think we can get It
through by way of Newburgh. New
burgh seems to respond"
Newburgh did respond. The wires
that way were all up. When the con-
nection was made, his voice sounded
husky to him as he got the Office and
asked for Ted.
"Why, he's Just left, sir" the boy
at the switch answered. Maybe / can
catch him in the hail." There was a
pause and something seemed to break
before Hampden's eyes like great
noiseless skyrocket. His brain grew
numb except for the pain through his
shoulder and he slipped Imply to the
floor.
Back in New York, Ted turned
moodily from the elevators and fol-
lowed the boy to the phone booth. His
head throbbed with pain. He hated
New York, Hampden, fate. everything.
All he wanted was to get out Of it.
Then the girl at the end of the wire
held him. Her voice was beautiful,
sweet, CHEEKY, most Of all full of hu-
man interest.
"Hello, is this Mr.. Curtis? This IL
Central at Grand Indian. Long dis
tance reports Mr.. Hampden who was
calling you fails to respond. I have
his message. Ready?"
Ready" answered Ted eagerly.
Ills wife is sick. That is why he
was called here suddenly. Wishes me
to state that he took your money out
Of the market yesterday with his
own with profit on sales. Over half
safe. Come to Grand Indian, New
York, at once. Signed. Hampden."
When the night train pulled into
Grand Indian, tall figure In q storm
ulster swung OF and into the little
station. He. made straight for the
desk, but the ticket agent said the
telegraph room was upstairs.
"she lives there" he added. Miss
Hewitt. Just knock on the door. She's
up till twelve"
Ted took the narrow stairs in three
steps and raped on the door quickly.
He had made up all sorts of speeches
on the way to this girl who had given
him the word Of good cheer. but when
the door opened and he saw her stand
ing there, all he could do was to reach
out his hand and say:
I'm Curtis, Ted Curtis. wanted
to thank you for hauling. me up here.
How's Mr.. Hampden?"
Better" She smiled up at him In
the friendliest way. Her white sweat
er was buttoned close to her chin,
and her hair was rumpled as II she
had been sleeping, but her eyes were
bright and happy as she looked at him.
Sizing him up" as Ted himself would
have expressed it. "He must have
had some sort Of . shock following
nervous strain. the doctor said. 9hey
haven't told his wife yet. They're
both coming out Of It all right. l
called up twice after you left New
York to make sure. You see. he had
already given his message when he
fell, 90 all had to do was push It
through and get you. Only ! did put
In for you to como at once"
All she had TO do. Ted simply