The Ordway new era., 1916-04-28
CHAPTER I.


Ing beach and the OCEAN reflected only
the brightness OF she inviting sun.
But little way back from the glisten-
ing sand and converging through a
small park toward suburban station
the streets of the seaside resort wee
alive with men and women, hurrying
TO the city for the grind of the day.
Motor cars. too. glided noiselessly
along the boulevards, drew up in turn
before the station and discharged their
passengers. From one of these mid
erl Holmes, an ex-army ofheer and
niroad man. alighted on the platform.
< goyerness and prettz little girl,
Helen-General Holmes only child
had accompanied her father to the
\ rain. and when he turned to the open
tonneau to say good-by. Helen sprang
impulsiveiy half into his arms. His
train pulled in as he quite simply but
affectionately kissed his child and
boarded the nearest car.
Helen. promised a morning in the
park, left the motor car with her gov
erness the moment they crossed a
small scenic railroad running back OF
the beach. She already had her eye
ON what she wanted to play with. A
contented dog. at peace with the world
and summing himself on grassy slope,
had riveted her alert eye; Helen ad-
vanced joyously to get acquainted.
The dog seemed not averse to pas
sive friendship. but the little maid.
sitting down. sought something more,
and by pulling hard and with conf
dence at his neck. soon had his un-
promising head-after fashion, at
least-in her diminutive lap.
The strain on his sensibilities ap-
peared more than her amiable and
carefree friend could stand. After
submitting for time he rolled over,
Jumped up and trotted briskly away
for new seclusion and a new peace.
Helen. undaunted, sprang to her feet
and followed. Her governess, engaged
with the chauffeur, saw nothing of
this part Of the incident. But mo-
ment later the few spectators In the
scenic railroad square. waiting to
board one Of the miniature trains, saw
. protesting dog trotting rapidly
away from . curly-haired girl, who
briskly and relentlessly followed.
A newsboy. relaxing against con-
venient lamp post after the morning
rush, watched the pursuit for a mo-
ment with languid interest. then
turned to look at an approaching
train on the scenic road. He seemed
no more than half awake. His wits,
in truth. were wool-gathering. Every
morning found him absorbed greatly
n the mysteries of the miniature en-
gine that pulled the scenic railroad
train.
a shout. then a chorus of cries
aroused him from his reverie. The
pufnng train was pulling swiftly to-
ward the open space. The unhappy
dtx. casting reproachful glances over
lis shoulder at his pitiless friend. was
gnlloping uncertainty, but directly
down the narrow track toward the on
coming train. Helen. seeing or heed.
ing nothing OF the train and fixed only
on her chase. ran after at top speed.
A dozen people saw her danger as the
train rounded the curve Just in front
of her-only one Of them made
move. Dropping his unsolds. the day
dreaming newsboy. waking sharply,
ran headlong after the needless girl.
II was none too soon. The dog,
dismAyed alike by the cries and
second pursuit, sprang. almost In the
teeth of the engine pilot. right across
tho teu oh uoIon 70 az nm hta haole
was ready to Jump after. but it would
have been pretty certainly a jump to
her death. The newsboy caught her
arm and whiried her from the engine
Just 1t Il shot past with brakes
on the drivers. Helen
sprawled headlong beside the track.
and the boy, unbalanced, rolled on the
gravel near her.
He was on his feet in q trice. stand
fne oyer Helen. She was frightened
and breathlsss, and without speaking
be knelt BY her. Her eyes began to
m Nth BID tears She sat confused
y - - h4e companion brushed the
oraxfte Ause from her pique skirt and
G3&h ~ coarDe handkerchief began
~ tke blood from cut on one Of
~ tGk kn9es. Her rescuer made lit
~ - ehe aecidsnt. He told her mot
1kSUE H eyen brushed the round
stgea Mr. cheeks-H liked
lAak = your name. little boyT"
~ G1t2god II Z would-be command
~ llts1e ~" ," returned her
\ u ese.1 had gathered
n - - ~ ~.
D3 4 ~ - - 4