Evening star., 1928-11-22
On the Road.
, D BOUNDED up the station steps

three at time, with the sample
case held straight behind TX
IL avoid delaying collisions.
The train was gaining mo.
rnentum. A quick diagonal SQUIRT and
flying leap carried one foot to the lower
step and hand to the rail.
He went through two cars. to the
door of 4 third, whsn something he
saw inside made him duck suddenly
second. There he dropped into the va
cant half Of a seat, still breathing
heavily from his sprint.
A minute or SO. and he looked to-
ward the window-and into the amused
eyes of his seatmate.
"Blanche!' he exclaim ,d-"or Billy
"That's right-Bily; I like Pc to
use that nickname. Blanche would be
Ell right for woman'S an0arel nerfum-
cry and the like. bit automobile ac-
~--'-s ~~I h"~"warn--'lGlo 'RleNche'
would kill any such orders. while Billy
is real recommendation"
Ever capture any Of the Pine River
plump"
Billy shock her head, though her eyes
were sparkling.
Not vet" she admitted though I've
tried had That's why feel so good
today. But IT'S tourh luck for YOU Ed
working SO for sure thing and then
17oding Irself ct the tailend C
three"
Don't quite catch on"
81 saw you duck at the next car door
and dodge back. You didn't want Jim
Briggs to know you're on the same
train"
"Um" his face clearing a little. Jim
Briggs, with line of accessories and
hardware. You ditto, Me likewise. Um
Does Jim know you are on the train?"
mo, I saw him through the window.
He didn't come into this car. But
you've heard that jim boasts no COM
petitor ever beat him yet, and I don't
suppose they have. So it will be quite
a surprise for him to find me- at Hill
& Co.'S, Just closing my book with
their order inside"
Eds face grew serious. Couldn't do
It, Billy, not with JIM" he regretted.
''I've been after his scalp for years and
only got a few stray hairs now and
then. I'm sorry"
You needn't be-" she laughed, "for
I'm going to be in it this time. You
remember when"
we made the trip together" he
broke in eagerly, and"
II didn't mean that trip" sudden
average trip-and-''
That trip together firmly. 1T was
your first one there. and you knew
nothing about the road Not finding
any conveyance you started on foot, like
the plucky girl you are. I overlook you
z mile out and insisted on sharing my
buggy seat. Then the old horse SEEM
ing TO have a dream of his youth, ran
away with us into swamp and
smashed the buggy against tree, leav
ing us in the mud, with stumps for
standing room. We were there four
hours before help came. and we got
acquainted. And you promised"
1T was just the-the situation, and
the danger" she interrupted "You and
I would better get tomahawk pins and
wear them as declaration of CONNER
cial antagonisrn."
The instant the train stopped, they
hurried toward the one automobile
But jim Briggs had jumped while the
train was in motion They saw him
speak to the driver, spring in, and in
a moment later the car swung round
and started down the street.
Hey, there, you'll" yelled Ed. as he
rushed across the platform. But the
machine was hundred yards away
end gaining speed. Jim looked back at
them and grinned cheerfully. Ed re-
turned with a wrathful face.
The skunk!" he exclaimed But
that's Jin1S way. Probably the man
said the machine was hired by tele-
graph, remembering me, and jim de-
clared himself the man. What now?"
There were tears in Billys eyes.
Wait for the next train, I suppose,
Ed" she answered, despondently This
was to be my big day. The manager
hinted was doing we'll, and If I could
capture good big order he would put
me on regular salary instead Of on
commission as now"
The ssunx!'' repeated Ed. Then to
611e driver Of a decrepit wagon, and
Strengthening up suddenly. do you
known where Fork River is-Bary & Du
Bary?"
Yes. three miles"
well, get this lady there as quick as
you can" He threw in Billy's case.
mo time to explain" he jerked out
Got 20 beat jim
Absurd. He can't. That automo-
bile"
"Yes-but cars got to go IA miles
over a bad road. Only mile and a
half by cart path straight across"
But a bad river, and no boat. A
swamp, too. You failed there once. ;
Didn't have a skunk to beat then.
I'm a good sprinter and good swim
mer. Wait'a minute" He scribbled a
few lines and gave her.
Now into the wagon and of" he