The courier-index., 1920-11-05
A Timely Signal
By WALTER J. DELANEY
a. 1920. Western Newspaper UniOn.)

"Stop-Danger
 The post at the crossing bore the sign and from the window of the little watchman's shanty a dainty white hand was extended, waving warning red flag. The automobile in which Wade Dysart and his friend, Nelson Prouty, were seated had already halt ed.
 "Humphw calculated the latter, "as you can see a train coming half a mile away down the rails in either direction, it seems to me that all this notification of peril Is somewhat su- perfiuous."
 Popl At that moment, as the train thundered by, there was disturbing explosion, and Dysart got out of the machine to view a flat rear tire.
 "Perhaps 1t is better to heed sig nals on all occasions" observed Dy- sart. "A blowout or a dead engine going across the rails might mean dis aster. See here, Prouty, I have no ex- Ira tube. I noticed garage just back a bit. Won't you run back and get a tube, while I get things ready to put it in."
 "Sure thing" responded the agree able and accommodating Prouty. and steered by the wheel while Dysart pushed the machine to one side, and then Prouty started on his mission.
 Dysart had the tire all ready for the insertion of new tube within ten minutes, but Prouty did not appear. yn fact, the latter did not find the espe- cial tube he was ordered to get at the first garage, and had to go some dis tance to the only other one in the town.
 Another train went by. This time "the watchman" came out of the shanty, and Dysart was surprised and gratified to catch sight of neatly at tired, beauty-faced girl of about eight cen, the owner of the pretty hand that had previously attracted his attention. CTS wagon on the other side of the railroad, and then as the train passed went back into the shanty. Not for many a moon had Wade Dysart seen a more attractive being.
 He could not resist the impulse to stroll towards the little structure. She nodded pleasantly as he faced the open window.
 "A breakdown, and waiting for my friend" he remarked, more from the hope of putting in the time engaging in conversation than anything else.
 "It is always best to follow the rules" she replied.
 "You seem to be at home here," said Dysart, noticing book, fan and comfortable rocking chair.
 "Only for the past two days" re- piled the girl. "The regular watchman is Mir. Martin, and live at his house -at present. Some one had to act as substitute, so I volunteered"
 'T see," observed Dysart thoughtful ly, but somewhat mystified, for the girl did not suggest the typical village maiden or the humble and obscure. Just then Prouty appeared. There was no excuse for further conversation, and Dysart went back to the automobile.
 "Stop," he soliloquizeds Tt was worth stopping"
 "Whatever has got into Wader many times during the next week or two his sister, who was engaged to Prouty, asked the latter.
 'T have noticed he has missed me several mornings and evenings" re- piled Prouty.
 "Yes. and came home two nights from long spin, and found lady's veil in the car"
 "Ah" nodded Prouty significantly ''that looks suspicious"
 And a card with a notation on it. AOrder at Penville the six newest pho- nograph records. Send by train to Miss Ada Rigley, Penville.' z "Penville," ruminated Proaty intel iigently, aroused at once. That was where Dysart met that pretty girl talk ing the watchman's place."
 ''The strange thing is, know Miss Ada Rigley in the city. They are 8 quite prominent family, and I saw by fhe paper she was summering at Pen vile. I did not mention my discovery to Wade. He is so queer"
 "Queer, secretive, and stealing 6 march on mel" reflected Prouty. q fancy I will investigate"
 Which the close friend of Wade by sart proceeded at once to do. Two evenings later when Dysart drove thu attractive young lady of the watch mans shanty to the home where sh' was staying, that of the watchman and turned homeward bound, Prouty ran his machine close beside him hailed him, and both came to a halt
 "I see you have been improving tho time" greeted Prouty.
 Naturally, after meeting the mos charming young lady I have evel known" replied Wade unblushingly.
 Notwithstanding the poor and hum ble guise of watchman's relative?'
 "Oh, Miss Rigley never posed al