Saturday Evening Mail, Volume 27, Number 43, Terre Haute, Vigo County, 24 April 1897 — Page 3

PAUL LEICESTER FORD.

AOTWOA (V

lie Honorable mm smjk

SYNOPSIS.

Dick Gordnn, Yale graduate, goes in for hard work. From the Chicago & Alton railroad repair shops he is gradually promoted and finally works up to the position of superintendent of a western railroad—the Kansas & Arizona. The story opens with an account of a trip by rail of Mr. C'ullen, a railroad vice president, over the lines of the K. & A. Gordon is asked to meet C'ullen and party and pilot them through. In the party are Madge C'ullen, with whom Gordon falls in love Lord Ralles, an Englishman, in love with Madge, and Captain Ackland, brother of Lord Halles. Talk turns on train robbers. Madge would like an adventure with hold ups. So would Ralles and Ackland. While horseback riding near Santa Fe, Gordon points out amongfconvicts working on a railroad grade Jack Drute, a train robber under a fourteen year sentence. Madge speaks to the convict, who answers gruffly. Chapter II.—The party is joined by Madge's invalid brother. On a special train all go on westward. While Mr. Cullen, his elder son and the two Englishmen play poker and Gordon and Madge enjoy the moonlight on the rear car the train is held up by bandits. III.— The robbers are fired at and frightened away, taking with them but three registered letters from the mall coach. Gordon telegraphs for help and starts the company's sleuths. He overbears Lord Ralles talking ladge and knocks him down. IV. —Mystery of tnesearch for the robbers only four shots fired by the robbers, and yet six empty sh lis are found. Cullen and party go on to the Grand canyon. Gordon remains to assist the sheriff. V.—Gordon, with the sheriff and posse, follows to Grand canyon, finds the party in camp, tells them he suspects them of complicity in the robbery and searches them and their effects. VI.—To find the letters he decides that he must search Madge. When she finds he Is determined, she yields up the letters. The motive of the robbery Is explained. The letters were proxies for the K. & A. election. Cullen's company was fighting for control. They took a desperate chance to get the proxies. Gordon resolves to pull the Cullens out of the scrape for Madge's sake. VII.— Our hero In league with the Cullens. Madge Is happy and Lord Ralles discomfited. VIII. —Gordon refuses to deliver the letters containing the proxies to the persons addressed a mandamus and an appeal to Washington. IX.—A little love-making. X. and XI.—Aid from the army comes a little late, the sheriff arriving first and taking Gordon In charge for train robbing. X11.—Gordon In jail and the letters secreted In the seat of a saddle. XIII and XIV.—Gordon oscapes the mob, and lylnn in wait overhears oitter words. XV.—Caught and ready to swing. Uncle Sam to the rescue. XVI.-A railroad compromise and a marriage contract.

CHAPTER XIV.

"LISTKNKKB nkvek hear anything GOOD. Before I lmrt conned chncklin# over the sheriff's indignant declaration of tho canons of etiquette I heard Mr. Cullen's voice denuuiding to know what the trouble was. It was quickly explained to him that I had escaped. He at onco gave them permission to search his car and went in with the sheriff and tho cowboys. Apparently Madge went in, too, for in a moment I heard Camp say in a low voice: "Two of you fellows get down txlow the car and crawl in under the truck where you can't

Ik*

cuss isn't

seen. Evidently that

hero,

tyit he's likely to come

by and by. If so, nab him if you can, and if you can't firo two shots. Mosely, are you heeled?" "Do I chaw terbaccy?" asked Mosely ironically, clearly insulted at the suggestion that ho would travel without a gun. 'Then keep sharp lookout and listen to even-thing you hear, especially the whereabouts of some letters. If you can spot their lay, crawl out and get word to me at once. Now, under you go before they come out." 1 lu ard two men drop into the gravel close alongside of where I lay and then crawl under the truck of 218. They weren't a moment too soon, for the next instant I heard two or three p'ople jump oil to the platform and Albert Cullen's voice drawl, "Aw, by Jove, what's the nnv?" Camp not enlightening them. Lord Ralles suggested that they get on the ear to And out, and the three did so. A moment latvr the sheriff came to the door and told Camp that I was not to lo found. "I told vou this was tho last place to look for the cuss, Mr. Camp," he said. "We've just discomforted the lady for not bin." "Then we must search elsewhere," said Camp. "Come on, loys.

The sheriff turned and made another elaborate ajology for having had to trouble the lady.

I heard Madge tell him that he hadn't troubled her at all. and then, as the cowboys and Camp walked off, she added, "And. Mr. Gun ton. I want to thank you for rvproving Mr. Camp's swearing." »"Thank you, miss," said tho sheriff. "We fellers area little rough at times, but we kuow what's due to a lady.'' "Papa," said

Madge

happens

as soon as he

was tint of hearing, "the sheriff is the most beautiful swearer I ever hoard." For awhile there was silence round the statiou. I suppose the party in 318 were comparing notes, while the two cowlxws and I had the best reasons for being quiet Presently, however, the men came wit of the car and jumped on the platform. Madge evidently followed them to the dwr, for she called. "Please let me know the moment anything

or you learn something.

"Better pi to bed. Matlgr," Albert caliph "You'll ouly worry, and it's after 8.'' "I couldn't shvp if I tried, she answered.

Their footstt jx* died away in a moment, and 1 heard her dose the door of 818. In a few moments she opened it again, and, stepping down to the station platform. N ^an to pace up and down it If I bad nly dared, I could have put my tltigvr through the crack of the planks mid touched her foot as sh' walktxl over my head, but I was afraid it might startle her into ashriek. and then'1 was no explaining to her what it meant without telling the cowboys how rloe they n- to th««ir quarry:

Madge hadn't walked from one end of the platform to the other more than three or four times when I heard some one coming. She evidently heard it also, for she said: 'I began to be afraid yon hadn't understood me." "I thought you told me to see first if I were needed," said a voice that even the di^ance and the planks did not prevent me from recognizing as that of Lord Ralles. "Yes," said she. "You are sure you can be spared?" "I couldn't be of the slightest use," said Ralles, getting on to the platform and joining Madge. "It's as black as ink everywhere, and I don't think there's anything to be done till daylight. "Then I'm glad you came back, for I really want to say something—to ask the greatest favor of you." "You only have to tell me what it is," said his lordship. 'Even that is very hard,'' said Madge. "If—if— Oh, I'm afraid I haven't the courage after alL'' "I'll be glad to do anything I can." «It's—well—oh, dear, I can't. Let's walk a little, while I think how to put it."

They began to walk, which took a weight off my mind, as I had been forced to hear every word said thus far and was dreading what might follow, since I was perfectly helpless to warn them. The platform was built around the station and in a moment they were out of hearing.

Before many seconds were over, however, they had walked round the building, and I heard Lord Ralles say: "You really don't mean that he's insulted you?" "That is just what I do mean," cried Madge indignantly. "It's been almost past endurance. I haven't dared to tell any one, but he had tho cruelty, the meanness, on Hance's trail to threaten that"—

At that point the walkers turned the corner again, and I could not hear the rest of the sentence. But I had heard more than enough to make me grow hot with mortification, even while I could hardly believe I had understood aright. Madge had been so kind to me lately that I couldn't think she had been feeling as bitterly as she spoke. That such an apparently frank girl was a consummate actress wasn't to be thought, and yet—I remembered how well she had played her part on Hance's trail. But even that wouldn't convince ma Proof of her duplicity came quickly enough, for while I was still thinking the walkers were round again, and Lord Ralles was saying: 'Why haven't you complained to your father or brothers?" "Because I knew they would resent his conduct to me, and"— "Of course they would," cried her companion, interrupting. "But why should you object to that?" "Because of tho letters," said Madge. "Don't you see that if we made him angry he would betray us to Mr. Camp and"—

Then they passed out of hearing, leaving me almost desperate both at being an eavesdropper to such a conversation and that Madge could think so meanly of me. To say it, too, to Lord Ralles made it cut all the deeper, as any fellow who has been in love will understand

Round they came again in a moment, and I braced myself for the lash of the whip that I felt was coming. I didn't escape it, for Madge was saying: "Can you conceive of a man pretending to care for a girl and yet treating her so? I can't tell you the grief, the mortification, I have felt.'' She spoke with a half sob in her throat, as if she was struggling not to cry, which made me wish I had never been born. "It's been all I could do to control myself in his presence—I have come so utterly to hate and despise him," she added. "I don't wonder," said Lord Ralles. "My only surprise is"—

With that they passed out. of hearing again, leaving me fairly desperate with shame, grief, and, I'm afraid, with anger. I felt at once guilty and yet wronged. I knew I had been ungentlemanly on the trail, but I had done my best to retrieve my conduct and was running big risks, both present and eventua ,or Madge's sake. Yet here she was Acknowledging that thus far she had used me as a puppet, while all the time disliking me. It was a terrible blow, made all the harder by the fact that she was proving herself such a different girl from the one I loved—so different, in fact, that, despite what I had heard, I couldn't quite believe it of her and found myself seeking to extenuate and even justify her conduct While I was doing this 'hey came within hearing, and Lord Ralles was speaking. —"with you," he said. "But I still do not see what I can do, however much I may wish to serve you." "Can't ym go to him and insist that he—or tell him what I really feel toward him—or anything, in fact, to shame him? I really can't go on acting longer.''

That reached the limit of my endurance, and I crawled from my burrow, intending to get oat from under that platform whether I was caught oar not I know it was a foolish move—after having heard what I had a little more or less was quite immaterial. But I entirely forgot my danger in the sting of what

«IU©0

Madge had said, and my one thought was to stand face to face with her long enough to—I'm sure I don't

At least the letters were recovered.

CHAPTER XV.

THE SURRENDER OF THE LETTERS.

If the letters w^re safe, that was a good deal more than I was. The moment the station master had made his agreed upon announcement he said to the walkers: "Had any news of Mr. Gordon?" "No." said Lord Ralles. "And as the lights keep moving in the &?wn they must still be hunting for him." "I reckon they'll do considerable more hunting before they find him up there," chuckled the man, with a self important manner. "He's hidden away under this platform." "Not right here?" I heard Madge cry, but I had too much to do to take in what followed. I was lying close to the loose plank, and even before the station master had completed his sentence I was squirming through the crack. As I freed my legs I heard two shots, which I knew was the signal given by the cowboys, followed by a shriek of fright from Madge, for which she was hardly to be blamed I was on my feet in an instant and ran down the tracks at my best speed. It wasn't with much hope of escape, for once out from under the planking I found, what I had not before realized, that day was dawning, and already outlines at a distance could be seen. However, I was bound to do my best, and I did it.

Before I had run 100 feet I could hear pursuers, and a moment later a revolver cracked, plowing up the dust in front of me. Another bullet followed, and, seeing that affairs were getting desperate, I dodged round the end of some cars, only to plump into the arms of a man running at full speed. The collision was so unexpected that we both fell, and before I could get on my feet some one plumped down on top of me and I felt something cold on the buck of my neck. "Lie still, yer sneakin coyote of a road agent," said the man, "or I'll blow yer neck into hash.''

I preferred to take his advice and lay quiet while the cowboys gathered. From all directions I heard them coming, calling to each other that "the skunk that shot the woman is corralled,'' and other forms of the same information. In a moment I was jerked to my feet, only to be swept off them with equal celerity and was half carried, half dragged, along the tracks. It wasn't as rough handling as I have taken on the football field, but I didn't enjoy it.

In a spaco of time that seemed only seconds I was close to a telegraph pole but, brief as the moment had been, a fellow with a lariat tied round his waist wash ilf way up the post. I knew the mob had been told that I had killed a woman in the hold up, for the cowboy, bad as he is, has his own standards, beyond which he won't go. But I might as well have tried to tell my innocence to the moon as to get them to listen to denials, even if I could have made my voice heard.

The lariat was dropped over the crosspiece, and as a man adjusted the noose a sudden silence fell. I thought it was a little sense of what they were doing, but it was merely due to the command of Baldwin, who, with Camp, stood just outside the mob. 'Let me say a word before you pull,'' he called, and then to me he said, "Now will you giva up the roperty?"

I was pretty pale and shaky, but I come of stiffish stock, and I wouldn't have backed down then, it seemed to me, if they had been going to boil me alive. I suppose it sounds foolish, and if I had had plenty of time I think my common sense would have made me crawl. Not having time, I was on the point of saying "No," when the door of 218, which lay about 200 feet away, flew open, aud out came Mr. Cullen, Fred, Albert, Lord Ralles and Captain Ackland, all with rifles. Of course it was perfect desperation for tlie five to tackle the cowboys, but they were game to do it, all the same.

How it would have ended I don't know, but as they sprang off the car platform Miss Cullen came out on it and stood there, one hand holding on to the doorway, as if she needed sup-

•JUt me my word before you pvU." port, and the other covering her heart. It was too far for me to see ho* face, bat the whole attitude expressed soch suffering that it was terrible to see. What was more, her position pat her in range of every shot the cowboys might fire at the five as they charged. If I could have stopped them, I would hare

TERRE HAUTE SATURDAY EVE^IKG MAIL, APRIL. 24, 1897.

know

what

I did intend to say. Just as I had got to the plank, however, I heard Lord Ralles ask: -who's that?" "It's me, said a voice, "the station agent." Then I heard a door close. Some one walked out to the center of the platform and remarked: "That 'ere local freight is late."

done so but, since that was impossible, I cried: "Mr. Camp, I'll surrender the letters." "Hold on, boys," shouted Baldwin. "Wait till we get the property he stole.'' And, coming through the crowd, he threw the noose off my neck. "Don't shoot, Mr. Cullen," I yelled, as my friends halted and raised their rifles, and f6rtnnately the cowboys had opened up enough to let them hear me and see that I was free of the rope.

Escorted by Camp, Baldwin and the cowboys, I walked toward them. On the way Baldwin s.:id in a low voice: "Deliver the letters, and we'll tell the boys there fcis been a mistake. Otherwise"—

When he came up to the five, I called to them that I had agreed to surrender the letters. While I was saying it Miss Cullen joined them, and it was curious to see how respectfully the cowboys took off their hats and fell back. "You are quite right,"Mr. Cullen called. 'Give them the letters at once.'' "Oh, do, Mr. Gordon,'' said Madge, still white and breathless with emotion."The money is nothing. Don't think''— It was all she could say.

I felt pretty small, but with Camp and Baldwin, now re-enforced by Judge Wilson, I went to the station, ordered the agent to open the safe, took out the three letters and handed them to Mr. Camp, realizing how poor Madge must have felt on Hance's trail.

Just as he took them we heard outside the first note of a bugle, and as it sounded "By fours, column left," my heart gave a big jump and the blood came rushing to my face. Camp, Baldwin and Wilson dashed out of the door, and I wasn't two feet behind them. There was a squadron of cavalry swinging a circle round the station, and we had barely reached the platform when the bugle sounded "Halt," quickly followed by "Forward left." As the ranks wheeled and closed up as a solid line about us I could have cheered with delight. There was a moment's dramatic hush, in which we could all hear the breathing of the winded horses, and then came the clatter of sword and spurs as an officer sprang from his saddle. "I want Richard Gordon," tke officer called.

I said, "At your service and badly in need of yours, Captain Singer." "Hope the delay hasn't spoiled things," said the captain. "We had a cursed fool of a guide, who took the wrong trail and ran us into Limestone canyon, where we had to camp for the night."

I explained the situation as quick1v as I could, and the captain's eyes gleamed. "I'd have given a bad quarter to have got here ten minutes sooner and ridden my men over those scoundrels," he muttered. "I saw them scatter rs we rode up, and if I'd known what they'd been doing we'd have given them a volley." Then he walked over to Mr. Camp and said, "Give me those letters." "I hold those letters by virtue of an order"— Camp began. "Give me thefe letters," the captain interrupted. "Do you intend a high handed interference with the civil authorities?" Judge Wilson demanded. "Come, come," said the captain. "You have taken forcible possession of the United States prqperty. Any talk about civil authorities is rubbish, and you know it." "I will never"— cried Mr. Camp. "Corporal Jackson, dismount a guard of six men!" rang the captain's Voice, interrupting him.

Evidently something in the voice or order convinced Mr. Camp, fcr the letters were hastily produced and given to Singer, who at once handed them to me. I turned with them to the Cullens, and, laughing, said, "All's well that ends well."

But they didn't seem to care a bit about the recovery of the letters and only wanted to have a handshake all round over my escape. Even Lord Ralles said, '-'Glad we could be of a little service" and didn't refuse my thanks, though the deuce knows they were badly enough expressed, in my consciousness that I had done an ungentlemanly trick over those trousers of his and that he had been above remembering it when I was in real danger. I'm ashamed enough to confess that when Miss Cullen held out her hand I made believe not to see it. I'm a bad hand at pretending, and I saw Madge color up at my act.

The captain finally called me off to consult about our proceedings. I felt no very strong love for Camp, Baldwin or Wilson, but I didn't see that a military arrest would accomplish anything, and after a little discussion it was decided to let them alone, as we could well afford to do, having won.

This matter decided, I said to the captain: "I'll be obliged if you'll put a guard round my car. And then, if you and your officers will come inside, I have a—something in a bottle recommended for removing alkali dust from the tonsils." "Very happy to test your prescription, said Singer genially.

I started to go with him, but I could not resist turning to Mr. Camp and his friends and saying: "Gentlemen, the G. S. is a big affair, but it isn't quite big enough to fight theU. a"

CHAPTER XVL A GLOOMY OOODBY.

At that point my importance ceased. Apparently seeing that the game was up, Mr. Camp later in the morning asked Mr. Cullen to give him an interview, and when he was allowed to pass the sentry he came to the steps and suggested: "Perhaps we can arrange a compromise between the Missouri Western and the Great Southern?" "We can fay," Sir. Cullen assented. "Come into my car." He made way for Mr. Camp and was about to follow him when Madge took hold of her fa-

ther's arm, and, making him stoop, Whispered something to him. "What kind of a place?" asked Mr. Cullen,\ laughing. "A good one," his daughter replied.

Of the interview which took place inside 218 I can speak only at second hand, and the fcvorld knows about as well as I how the contest was compromised by the K. and A. being turned over to the Missouri Western, the territory in southern California being divided between the California Central and the Great Southern, and a traffic arrangement agreed upon that satisfied the G. S. The next day a Missouri Western board for the K. and A. was elected without opposition, and they in turn elected,^Ir. Cullen president of the K. and A., so when my report of the holding up went in he had the pleasure of reading it. I closed it with a request foe instructions, but I never received any, and that ended the matter. I turned over the letters to the special agent at Flagstaff, and I suppose his report is slumbering in some pigeonhole in Washington, for I should have known of any attempt to bring the culprits to punishment. Mr. Cullen had taken a big risk,

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