Marion Marlowe in Columbus, or, Accused of a Crime — page 17: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

14. “AIL first-rate fellows without an ounce of sneak in their composition,” said Bert, de- cidedly. “I rode down on the engine, and I'll swear by those fellows.” “Then it resolves itself upon the two train- men,” said Mr, Temple, slowly, “and, as it can’t be Dick, it must be the other.” “There they go, he and Wiggin, down to look at the engine! I’d give a dollar to hear what they are talking about.” “Are. we really going, Bert?” called out Marion, at that minute. She was just com- ing from the car, leading little Ruby. Mr. Temple went forward to meet her and took the little girl in his arms. “Going in fifteen minutes, Miss Marlowe,” he said, smilingly. “That will bring us into Columbus at about half-past two.” “Then Wiggin will be satisfied,” said Ma- rion, brightly. “Poor fellow, he was deter- mined to walk to Columbus.” She told Mr. Temple what the fellow had said, and, just as she finished, Miss Allyn joined them. | “What is the nearest stop, Mr. Temple?” she asked, anxiously, as she came up. “I’m positively famished; will we ever have any luncheon ?” Mr. Temple consulted his watch. “Tn about an hour you will be able to sat- isfy the inner man, Miss Allyn—that is, if we don’t discover any more wash-outs,” he said, cheerfully. “Or if the baggage car doesn’t blow up suggested Miss Allyn. ’” and wreck the train, “Somehow I can’t get it out of my head that Wiggin isn’t a rioterl sions on the brain, I’m so suspicious.” “Hello! The atmosphere the engine seems to be sulphurous!’’ exclaimed Mr. Temple, suddenly. ‘Just look at Wig- sin and Bill—they are having it hot and I must have explo- down by heavy !”’ All three looked quickly in the direction in- - MY QUEEN. dicated, and it did seem for a minute as_ though a fight was pending. Bill, the trainman, was shaking his fist at Wiggin, and the little fellow was talking back © to him as though he were daring Bill to hit him, but, in spite of their belligerent atti- tudes, both were talking softly, a fact which. all four of the onlookers took to be signifi- cant. “They are quarreling all right, but they are . mighty still about it,” said Mr. Temple, as he took Bert’s arm and started slowly toward } “T wouldn’t be surprised a bit if | the engine. Bill knew he was in the car, and the little fel- low was blaming him for unlocking it. Still, he is certainly better off at liberty than he was shut up. He is being protected from the — railroad company, and there’s a position open for him if he can fill it.” “IT guess they’ve settled the matter without bloodshed,” said Bert, who had been watch- ing the two while Mr. Temple was talking. “There goes Wiggin over to talk to the con- ductor, and Bill has apparently decided to go about his business.” There was a warning toot from the engine which told that the train was ready to move, and in an instant the members of the com- pany came running from all directions. “All aboard!” shouted Bert; “and don’t fotget to buy new tickets! You can’t expect the railroad to give you transportation, a wash-out, a rainstorm and a picnic, all for one fare!” They ought to pay us for riding on their old road,” said Miss Ellis, promptly. “Why, one trip through this country is enough to give a person nervous prostration! T’ll be profoundly thankful if we ever get to Co- lumbus !” “And I shall be happy when we get where I can see a bill of fare!” called out Miss Allyn, as she sprang up the steps. “How it is with you, Marion?” asked Bert. ; OMNENDOOKSAG e 7