Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1917-08-03
Copyright, The Bobbs-Merrill Coz
Chapter I.
Jane Gerson, Buyer.

Il had two trunks-two, you ninny!
Two! Gu est Tautre? I"
The grinning customs guard lifted
his shoulders to his ears and spread
U his palms. "Mais, mamselle---"
Don't you 'Mais' me, sir! had
two trunks-deux troncs-when ] got
aboard that 'wabbly old boat at Dover
Fudge from this wharf until I find the
other one. Where did you learn your
French, anyway? Can't you UNDER
stand when I speak your 1anguage?"
The girl pumped herself down on
top of the unhasped trunk and folded
her arms truculently. With a quiz
zeal small, the customs guard looked
down into her brown eyes. smoldering
dangerously now, and began all over
again his speech Of explanation.
"Wagon-lt?" She caught a fam
want to go-aboard your wagon-lit,
gave the word three syllables-'mon
ticket pour Parcel" She opened her
pantanleather reticule, rummaged
furiously therein, brought out q hand
kerchtef, a tiny mirror, a packet Of
rice papers, and at last a folded and
puncl ed ticket. This she displayed
with a triumphant flourish.
VOLTA! II dit Miss Jane Gerson';
that's me-moie-meme, I mean. And
II dit 'deux troncs'; now you can't go
behind that, q you? Where is that
other trunk 2"
A whistle shrilled back beyond the
swinging doors OF the station. Folk
in the customs shed began a hasty
gathering together Of parcels and
shawl straps, and q general exodus
toward the train sheds commenced.
The girl on the trunk looked appeal
fngly about her; nothing but hustle
and confusion; no Samaritan to turn
aside and rescue a fair traveller fallen
among customs guards. Her eyes
flled with trouble, and for an instant
her reliant mouth broke its line Of de-
termination; the lower lip quivered
suspicious!y. Even the guard started
to walk away.
ooh, oh. please don't go!" Jane
Gerson was on her feet, and her hands
shot out in an impulsive appeal. ooh,
dear; maybe I forgot to tip you. Here,
attende au secours, II you'll only. find
that other trunk before the train"
Pardon; but If I may be of any
assistance"
Miss Gerson turned. A tallish, old
young-looking man, in a gray lounge
suit, stood heels tog .the- and bent
~ ~ q WV ASoI1lllA6 " III UCdA
or the boulevardier about his face or
manner. Miss Gerson accepted his
intervention as heaven-sent.
ooh, thank you ever so much! The
guard, o see, doesn't understand
good Fronch. I just can't make him
understand that one Of my trunks Is
missing. And the train for Paris
Already the stranger was rafting
incisive French, at the guard. That
official bowed low, and, with hands
and lips, gave rapid explanation. The
man In the gray lounge suit turned
to the girl.
"a little misunderstanding. Miss
ah--"
"Gerson-Jane Gerson, of New
York" she promptly supplied,
"a little misunderstanding, Miss
Gerson. The customs guard says your
other trunk has already been exam
ined, passed, and placed on the bag
gage van. He was trying to tell you
that It would be necessary for you to
the train before time for starting.
With your pecmission-"
The stranger turned and halloed to
q porter, who came running. Miss
Gerson had the trunk locked and
strapped in no time, and it was on
the shoulders of the porter.
You have very little time, Miss
Gerson. The train will be making a
start directly. If I NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
you through the station to the proper
train shed. I am not presuming?"
you are very kind" she answered
hurriedly.
They set off, the providential Sam
artta1 In the lead. Through the walt