The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1920-09-02

whats the meaning OF all this row
MF. Cardigan7- be demanded.
Something has slipped. Sam.
Bryce retorted pleasantly. "You'y'
been calling me Bryce for the pas
twenty years. aud now you're mister
Ing me The meaning Of this row
yeu ask" Bryce continued. "well
I'm engaged In making a Jump cross
Ing OF Colonel Pennington's tracks
under a temporary franchise granted
me by the city council OF Sequoia
Here's the franchise" And he thrust
the document under the police chiefs
nose.
"1'his Is the first i've heard about
any franchise" sam Perkins replied
suspiclously. "Seems 20 me you been
mighty secret about this job. How do
know this amt q forgeryf"
"Call up the mayor and ask him" 4"
Bryce suggested.
"i'll do that" quoth Mr. Perkins
ponderously. "And I'm the meantime,
don't do any more digging or rail-cut-
ting" He hurried away to his auto
mobile. leaving a lieutenant IN charge
OF the squad.
ALSO IN the meantime, young man."
Colonel Pennington announced, "you
will pardon me II take possession OF
my locomotive and fiat cars. ] oh.
serve you have finished unloading
those rails"
Help yourself, Colonel" Bryce re-
piled with an assumption OF heartl-
ness he was far from feeling.
"Thank you so much, Cardigan"
With the greatest good nature In life.
Pennington climbed into the cab,
reached for the bell-cord. and rang
the bell vigorously.
Then he permitted himself a tri-
umphant toot OF the whistle after
which be threw off the air and gently
opened the throttle. He was not lo-
comotive engineer but he had ridden
In the cab of his own locomotive and
felt quite confident OF his ability in
a pinch.
With a creak and a bump the train
started. and the Colonel ran II slowly
up until the locomotive stood on the
tracks exactly where Buck Oglivy had
been cutting In his crossing; where
upon the Colonel locked the brakes,
opened his exhaust. and blew the boil
err down. And when the last ounce OF
steam had escaped. he descended and
smiingly accosted Bryce Cardigan.
THAT engine being my property" he
I'm take the short end Of
any bet you care TO make, young man.
that Il will sit on those tracks until
geur temporary franchise expires.
cut in your iump-crossing now. II you
an. you whelp, and be d--d to you.
we got you blockedi"
II rather Imagine This nice gentle
nan has It on Us. old dear" chirped |
Buck Ogilvy plantively. "Welll We |
lid our damndest. which angels can't |
10 no more. Let us gather up our
ools and go home. my son for some
hing tells me that II hang around /
lere I'll bust one Of two thlngs-thls |
leck scoundrel's gray head or one of
ny beIlicose veins Helloi Whom
ave we heref"
Bryce turned and found himself
acing Shirley Sumner. Her tender
ip was 0uivering and the tears shone
n her eyes like stars. He stared at
er in silence.
my friend" she murmured tremu.
ously. didn't tell you would not
,crmlt you to build the n. G. or"
He bowed his head IN rage and
hame at his defeat. Buck Ogilvy
oOk him by the arm. Bryce, old
hap. this is one OF those occasions
here silence is golden. Speak not.
u do II for you Miss Sumner" he
"and Colonel Pennington"
lvoring that triumphant rascal
'ith an equally gracious bow. I'VE
ave you Ia possession OF the field
However. II anybody
nould drive up IN hack aud lean
Ut and ask you. Just tell him Book
gilvy has another trump tucked away J
} his kimono."
Ito be Continued)