The Press., 1917-08-30
66e MafigOld Man How He'W Saved iby An Impulse
By cLARlSsA MAckIE

| CCAln Wneu GuS IufGS Weu pdbSGU 0eF and came to a pause. near the gate where the western express would dis charge its passengers. At first the men spoke in low tones, but as the c0nvsr- sation continued their tones grew lit. tie louder until Nan could not help hearing what they said. |'
 What they said was startling enough to her ears. l You'll recognize him, BillT'
 Never seen him in my hfe," was the surly answer.
 "HOw about you, Jim?" 1 Same here. I never saw him, but Durgee wrote that we'd know him by the yellow marigOld in his buttonhole."
 "Why would he be wearing that3"
 "Oh, it's sign, that's all! Durgee said he'd tag him so we couldn't miss him. Oh, wen get him all righty'
 Hell wish he'd never testified against Tom TelfOrd," growled one of the men,.
 Another laughed evilly. "Just how you going, to do itT"
 Same old way" returned the other carelessly. "A crack in the right place ! will fix him"
 "Sh-hy' warned the other. "The dame on your left is listening" They moved swiftly away to the other side of the gate, and Nan stood rigid, out wardly calm, but inwardIy a-Quiver with fear for the man who would come walking through that gate with marigold in his buttOnhole walking to certain death, for 1t was nothing less than death that these men were plan ming for the. wearer of the yellow ! flower. .. >..-... ....H .. What could she dor: Nothing.
 Common sense told her that she would only get herself into trouble by interfering In this instance, but i'm pulsive Nan was not on good terms with common sense, so her family said, and now, instead of forgetting | all about the conversation she had overheard, Nan was planning how she could warn the marigold man of the danger that menaced him. So when the gate slid hack and the passengers began to pour out into the station Nan forgot all about looking for Cousin Phoebe, whom she had ~O0AS OO AACCSs SAO ASE " GH WCMN INV ing for man with a yellow marigOld in his buttonhole, a man who was near to death. ...- ....,.a- All at once she saw Cousin Phoebe trOtting along, peering nearsightedly about, and walking beside her was; tall young man in gray suit He was carrying FidO's basket for Cousin Phoebe. .@ Nan saw Phoebe and the strange young man as they came up the train shed toward the gate, and before they were framed in the opening she saw that the man wore q yellow marfgOld in his buttonhole.
 In an instant she had slipped under the rope, darted past the gate and flung herself upon the astOnished mari gold man, tearing the offending bIos- som from his lapel.
 "Nan," bleated Cousin Phoebe. ''what are you doingT' Nan, with the marigOld crushed in her coat pocket, turned rosy face up to the amazed youth. s-... "I beg your pardon" she stammered But couldn't let you wear that" By this time they were in the sta tion, and Nan, glancing furtively about saw the three cOnspiratOrs still watch ing the doorway for the man with the marigold. - -.@
 The stranger was putting Fido's bas- ket into Cousin Phoebe's hands, and that lady was expressing her gratitude in no measured terms.
 'I'm ready, Man," she said.
 
 "Yes, Cousin Phoebe,'' hesitated the girl. T would like to speak toto MT. Brooks a moment"
 He was looking down at her in puzzled way. He was wondering what game this extremely pretty and eYi- dently refined girl was playing. First | she had snatched the flower from his ! buttonhOle. Second, she had told him | she couldn't let him wear it, and now she was calling him by a fictitious | name. Did she really think he was some acquaintance, or was she just l crazy? - ..s..
 Don't think am quite a unatic.' Nan said to him breathlessIy, ''hut. l | heard three men plotting to kill azman l whp would come through the gatt wearing a marigold in his lapel, n ma8 l who had something to do with Mi. ! Telford"-he started a little at that | fand so. you see," she smiled uneer- | tainly, "I had to find the man Wh0 was | wearing a marigoId and take itsaWay | with me. Wasn't it lucky yoi were with Cousin Ph0ebe?"
 "Well, you are plucky," he said gratefully. t'I am John Ransom | Please introduce me to Cousin PhoebA | and then we can talk comfortably. for I must thank you for what you have dOne."
 So Nan introduced Cousin aohoebe to the delightful young man who had car ried FidO, and somehow matters seem- ed more natural now that she knew his name and could place him as one of Mans friends. Still Nan must ex- plain why she had flung herself at MT. Ransom in that bold manner.
 Cousin Phoebe permitted the young people to lead her to d taxicab. and after MT. Ransom had put them inside she shook hands with him and told him to be, sure to come and see her. and she gave him the Harpers' ad- dress.
 T suppose you know it alreadyr' added Cousin Phoebe, 'as you and Nanl are such old friends
 Nan blushed, and so did John Ran. som, and then Nan grew pale, and Ransom turned quickly to see what had caused the sudden change of color The three cOnspirators were cominx toward them, arguing in low tomas
 "Are those the men?" asked Ransom quickly.
 Nan nodded. "Be careful.p she whis- pered, and then the car started and left him alone
 He stood there rolling . cigarette. his ears keen to catch a word from the three men.
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