Grand Forks herald., 1919-07-26
CHAPTER XIV.

CHAPTER XIV.
They were late coming into Wash
ington for the Special had been side
tracked in the night for several ex-
press trains. and the noisy crowd who
had kept one another awake till after
midnight made up by sleeping far in
to the morning.
Three times did Gordon make the
journey three cars front to see if his
companion Of yesterday were awake
and needed anything, but each time
found the curtains drawn and still,
and each time he went slowly back
again to his seat in the crowded day
coach.
1t was not until the white dome Of
the capitol and the tall needle of the
monument, were painted soft and
vision-like against the sky: reminding
one Of the pictures of the heavenly
city in the story Of Pilgrims Prog
ress, and family suggesting a new
her again, and found her fully ready,
standing in the aisle while the porter
put up the berth out Of the way. Be-
meath the great brim Of her purple
hat where the soft fronds of her
plumes trembled with the motion of
the train, she lifted sweet eyes to him,
as if she were both glad and fright
ened to see him. And then that
ecstasy shot through him again, as
he realized suddenly what it would be
to have her for his life-companion, to
him. and have the right to take all
fright away from her.
They could only smile at each other
{r0 n, @@xy Nyo q
standing up and being brushed, and
pushing here and there for suit-cases
and lost umbrellas; and everybody
talked loudly, and laughed great
deal, and told how late the train was.
Then at last they were there. and
could get out and walk silently side
by side in the noisy procession
through the station to the sidewalk.
What little things sometimes
change lifetime, and make for our
safety or our destruction! That very
to guard that station at Washington
to hunt out the government spy who
had stolen back the stolen message.
and take him, message and all, dead
or alive, back to New York; for the
man who could testify against the
Holman Combination was not to be
let live if there was such a thing as
getting him out of the way. But they
never thought to watch the Special
which was supposed to carry only
delegates to the great convention. He
knew he was coming from Pittsburgh.
for they had been SO advised by tele-
gram the evening before by one of
their company who had seen him
buying a sleeper ticket for Washing
ton, but they felt safe about that Spe-
cial. for they had made inquiries and
been told no one but delegates could
possibly come on it. They had done
their work thoroughly. and were on
hand with every possible plan perfect
ed for pagging their game, but they
took the time when the Pittsburgh
Special was expected to arrive for
eating hearty breakfast in the res
taurant across the street from the
| station Two of them emerged from
the restaurant doorway in plenty of
time to meet the next Pittsburgh
train. just as Gordon, having placed
the lady in closed carriage, was GET
ting in himself.
II the carriage had stood in any
front of the station. they meyer would
have seen him. but, as it was. they
had full view of him; and because
they were Washington men, and ex-
perts in their line, they recognized
him at once, and knew their plans had
failed, and that only by extreme
measures could they hope to prevent
the delivery of the message which
would mean downfalp and disaster to
them and their schemes.
AS Gordon slammed shut the door
OF the carriage, he caught vision of
his two enemies poining excitedly to-
ward him. and he knew that the
blood-hounds were on the scent.
His heart beat wildly. His anxiety
was divided between the message and
the lady. What should he do?
Drive at once to the home Of his
chief and deliver the message, OF
leave the girl at his rooms, phone for
2 faster conveyance md trust to get.
suers?
Don't let anything hinder you!
Don't let anything hinder you! Make
1t matter of life and death!' rana
the little ditty in his ears. and now II
seemed as II he must 60 straight
ahead with the message. And yet
"a matter Of life and DEATH" He
could not, must not, might not, take
the lady with him into danger. II he
must be in danger Of death he did
not want to die having exposed an In
L
Then there was another point to be
thought Of. -
He had already told the driver te
take him to his apartments, and tG
drive rs rapidly as possible. It would
not do to stop him$now and change
the directions, for = piStol-shot could
easily reach him yet: and. coming
from crowd, who would be sus-
pected? His enemies were standing
on the threshold OF q place where
there were many OF their kind to pro-
tect them. and none Of his friends
knew Of his coming. II would be q
race for life from now on TO the finish.
Celia was looking out with interest
at the streets, recogni5ins landmarka
/! with wonder, and did not notice Cor
don's white. set face and burning eyes
as he strained his vision 10 npte how
fast the horse was soing. Oh. X the
driver would only turn on a. = next
corner into. the side street they could
not watch the carriage 70 far, but II
vas not likely, for this was the naoss
direct road. and yet-yes. he had
] turned! joy. The street here Was a