The Mena weekly star., 1920-09-16

leaped lightly down the steps, ran to
the front of the car. looked down the
track, and swore feelingly. Then he
darted back to the rear of the ca.
| 5oose.
"All clear and snug as bug under
a chip, my dear" he called to Shirley.
THANK God. the caboose become I'M
coupled-guess that fool brakeman
forgot to drop the pin; 1t was the last
car, and when It jumped the track
and pIowed into the dirt. It just nat
urally quit and toppled over against
the bank. Come out, my dear"
Shirley came out. dry-eyed, but
white and trembling. The Colonel
placed his arm around her. and she
hid her face on his shoulder and shud-
dered. There. there" he soothed her
affectionately. IT'S all over. my dear.
Ais well that ends WELL"
THE train" she cried In choking
voice. "Where is it7"
I'm little pieces-down In Mad
river"
Bryce Cardigan" she sobbed. 81
train. He-1ah. God help hlmw
The Colonel shook her with sudden
ferocity. young Cardigan" he cried
sharply. Riding the logs? Are you
certain?"
She nodded, and her shoulders
shook piteously.
'Then Bryce Cardigan IS gonel
Pennington's pronouncement was sol
enn, deadly with its fiat finality. INC
man could have rolled down into Mad
river with a trainioad Of logs and sur
vived. The devil himself couldn't
He heavcd great sigh and added
We'll. that clears the atmosphere CON
sise-~ bly,, although for all his faults
regret. for his fathers sake that this
fr Nadful affair has happened. Well
II can't ne bclped, Shirley. Poor devil i
For all his damnabie treatment Of me.
| wouldn't have had this happen for
million dollars"
Shirley burst into wild weeping.
Bryce's heart Ieaped, for he under.
stood the reason for her grief. She
had sent him away in anger, and he
had gone to his death ergo 1t would
be long before Shirley would forgive
herself, Bryce had not intended pre-
senting himself before her in his bat
tered and bloody condition. but the
sight of her distress now was more
than he could bear. He coughed slight
~, and the alert colonel glanced up at
him instantly.
swell, I'll be hangedw The words
fell from Penningtonss lips with
heartincss that was almost touching.
Il thought you'd gone with the train"
Sorry to have disappointed you, old
top" Bryce replied bllthely, but I'm
just naturally tubborn. Too bad about
the atmosphere you thought cleared q
moment agoi It's clogged worse than
ever now
At the sound of Bryce's voice, Shir-
ley raised her head. whirled and
looked up at him. He held his hand
kerchief over his CORY face that the
sight might not distress her; he could
have whooped with delight at the Joy
that flashed through her wet lids.
Bryce Cardigan" she commanded
sternly, "comc down here this Instant
TIN not pretty sight. Shirley. Bet
ter let me go about my business"
She stamped her foot. Come here /.
well. since you insist" he replied,
and be slid down the bank.
"How did you get up there-and
what do you mean by hiding there spy
Ing on me, -you--oh. you |"
'Cuss little. If 1t win help any" he
suggested. Il had to get out of your
way-out of sight-and up there was
the best place. ! was ON the roof Of
the caboose when 1t toppled over, 30
all l had to do was step ashore and sit
down."
Then why didn't you stay there r
she demanded furiously.
You wouldn't let me-" he answered
demurely. "And when saw you weep-
Ing because was supposed to be with
the angels, ! couldn't help coughing to
let you know was still hanging
around ornery as book AGENT
Ito be continued.)