Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1929-02-01
THEY
WERE ON
THE ROAD
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20 BY d. J. Walshl

I'D BOUNDED up the station
r. steps three at time, with thu
l. sample case held straight be
hind to avoid delaying collisions
The train was gaining momentum.
A quick diagonal squirt and flying leap
carried one foot to the lower step and
a hand TO the rail.
He went through two cars, to the
door of third, when something he
saw inside made him duck suddenly
and slip back toward the middle of
the second. There he dropped into
the vacant half Of a seat, still breath
ing heavily from his sprint.
"A minute or so, and he looked to
ward the window-and into the
amused eyes Of his sentmate,
"BlancheT he exclaimed-"or Billy"
"That's right-Bllly, like people
to use that nickname. Blanche would
be all right for woman's apparel, per
fumery and the like, but autOmO
bile accessories and hardware-ugh
Blanche would kill any such orders,
while Billy Is a real recommends
ton"
Ever capture any of the Pine rlv.
er PLUMP
Billy shook her head. though her
eyes were sparkling
"Not yet" she admitted though
I've tried hard That's why feel 50
good today. But it's tough luck for
you, Ed, working so for sure thing
and then finding yourself at the tall
end Of three"
Don't quite catch on"
II 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 little,
"Jim Briggs, with a line of accessories
and hardware. You ditto. Me like.
wise Um. Does Jim know you are
on the trainT
mo, saw him through the window
He didn't come into this car. But
you've heard that Jim boasts no com
petltOr ever beat him yet, and don't
suppose they have. So It will be quite
surprise for him to find me at Hill h
Co.'S, just closing my book with their
order inside
Eds face grew serious. "Couldn't
do It, Billy, not with Jlm," he regret
ted. 1--WE been after his scalp for
years and only got few stray hairs
now and then. I'm sorry"
"You needn't be-" she laughed, "for
| I'm going to be In II this time You
remember when"
eve made the trip together" he
broke In eagerly, "and-"
~ didn't mean that trip" sudden
color rising to her face. ~ mean an
average trip-and-"
'"That trip together" firmly. at
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. |
overlook you mile out and insisted
on sharing my buggy seat Then the
old horse, seeming to have dream OF
his youth. ran away with us into
swamp and smashed the buggy against
tree, for standing room. We were
there four hours before help came,
and we got acquainted. And you
promised"
at was just the-the situation, and
the danger" she interrupted "YOu
and would better get tOmahawk pins
ind wear them as declaration Of com
mercInl antagonlsm"
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
moment later the car swung round
md starred down the street.
"IIey there, YOU" yelled Ed MS he
rushed across the platform But the
machine was hundred yards AWAY
and ginning speed Jim looked back
at them and grlnned cheerfully ed
returned with wrnthful face.
1.-THE skunk r. he exclaimed. But
that's Jlm's way. Probably the man
said the machine was hired by tele
graph, remembering me and Jim de.
clnred himself the man What nowT"
There were tears In Billy's eyes
"Walt for the neXr train. | suppose
Ed" she answered despOndcntly
This was to be my big day. The
manager limited ! was doing well and
II could capture II good big order he
would put me on n regular salary In
stead Of on commission as now"
"The skunk !" repeated ed Then
to the driver Of decrepIt wagon und
Strengthening up suddenly: "DO you
know where Fork River is Bury 4
Du BaryW
ayes, three miles"
"Well get this lady there as quick
as you can" lie threw In Blllys case
"No time TO explain." he jerked out
Got to beat jim"
absurd. file cant. That automo
bile"
'Yes-but cars got TO go fourteen
miles over bad road. Only a mile
and half by cart path straight
across
"Bul n bud rlyer, and no bout A
swamp TOO You failed there once
"Dldnl have skunk to beat then
I'm good Splinter and good swim
mer Wait minute" He scrlbbIrd
fcW lines and gave her.
"Nra into fhe wngoD and 0if, h.
shot o,l rapidly Give thu 10 Du
Barry Ii's big card I've been hold
ing ~, my sleeve Didn't durr ~
whlsirl II uui loud for fru BlIggs
would brlr even II he were ten mites
AWAY ibni'Hry's man ! ngcd 10 spl
goods a. ~ u mnllHger and nov no,
pa;trc ~ HrtlinR u ~ Upph
eiprr ~ rwt l.lyer. Coz u5h.irr