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 14 
 
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 i' . .'>«-—' 
 
 I 
 
 SHOM'LINE 
 
 AMg 
 
 IMMiWliSTER 
 
M 
 
 
 
THE 
 
 SHORT LINE WAR 
 
 BY 
 
 MERWIN-WEBSTER 
 
 fl 
 
 TORONTO 
 GEORGE N. MORANG & COMPANY, Limited 
 
 90 V/ELLINGTON STREET, WEST 
 
 TAt's edition must not be imported into nor sold in 
 Great Britain or the United States 
 

 P:/V¥ 
 
 
 Copyright, 1899, 
 By the MACMILLAN COMPANY. 
 
 X89';: "P -'J ^'ectrotyped April. :899. Reprinted May, 
 
 
 
 I I 
 
 Nottjoob ^r«8 
 
 J. S. Cuahfng & Co. - Berwick & Smith 
 Norwood Mass. U.S.A. 
 
 
 «0.f4:M|j3 
 
CONTENTS 
 
 I 
 
 'J 
 
 "M 
 
 ,:',.k 
 
 CHAPTER PAGB 
 
 I. Jim Weeks i 
 
 II. Mr. McNally goes to Tillman City . i6 
 
 III. Politics and Other Things ... 31 
 
 IV. Jim Weeks Closes in . . . . 47 
 V. Tuesday Evening 60 
 
 VI. Judge B. :k 74 
 
 VII. Between the Lines . ... 88 
 
 VIII. Judge Grey loi 
 
 IX. The Matter of Possession . . .114 
 
 X. Somebody loses the Books . . .128 
 
 XI. A Politician 142 
 
 XII. Katherine 156 
 
 XIII. Train No. 14 171 
 
 XIV. A Capture at Brushingham . . 187 
 XV. Deus ex Machina 202 
 
 XVI. McNally's Expedient . . . . 214 
 
 XVII. In the Dark 229 
 
 XVIII. The Coming of Dawn .... 244 
 
vi 
 
 Contents 
 
 CHAPTER 
 
 XIX. Katherine Decides 
 
 XX. Harvey 
 
 XXI. The Tillman CiTv Stock 
 XXII. The Wi..x.o op xhe Roab .' 
 XXIII. The Surrender 
 
 PAGB 
 
 259 
 277 
 
 296 
 
 310 
 
 322 
 
 w 
 
 'I 
 
 \l 
 
PAGE 
 296 
 
 THE SHORT LINE WAR 
 
 CHAPTER I 
 
 JIM WEEKS 
 
 James Weeks came of a fighting stock. 
 
 His great-grandfather, Ashbel Weeks, was 
 born in Connecticut in 1748; he migrated to 
 New York in '70, and settled among the Oneida 
 Indians on the Upper Mohawk. It was the 
 kind of life he was built for ; he sniffed at dan- 
 ger like a young horse catching a breath off the 
 meadows. He did not take the war fever until 
 St. Leger came up the valley, when he fought 
 beside Herkimer in the ambush on Oriskany 
 Creek. He joined the army of the North, and 
 remained with it through the long three years 
 that ended at Yorktown ; then he married, and 
 returned to his home among the half-civilized 
 Oneidas. 
 
 His oldest son, Jonathan, was born in '90. 
 He grew like his father in physique and tem- 
 
 B I 
 
^'^ort Z///^ ly^^ 
 perament and K 
 
 "^ ''''«. so that he turnerf ! '' ^^« ^""on/f 
 
 «. and amassed what vva; 1 '""''"'^^ at 
 iarge fortune. "^ "^^n considered a 
 
 In 18^3 I, 
 
 ested himself in ^,^Zr L°"isviIIe, and inter 
 - .»'>^ Ohio and SSf ''-'--boat trS 
 ''"smess develoDPrf V '^P' "^'^'•s- As th 
 
 f- -''' ■•'■ h"; ;it^^^^^^^^ tt^: 
 
 '^'S, was sent to Hari , ° ^^^ b"™ i„ 
 «erry fo„r .^ars tSeT', "' ^^^^ ^ ve y 
 -oney. He te,, in tje',- "' ' S""'' deal of 
 "-"•ed immediately 1":;"/''^ --ntime, and 
 "any months after h ' ff'-aduation. Nnt 
 
 'y *e accident^thr'^^ '^ ^^ ''i^ 
 ^i'O'tiy after this r'^^^'^e "f a rifle anri 
 "«; to a son.'"'^' '"^ -'^- died i„ .^C^' 
 
 /onathaHhf ""' ""'''' ^^^^'ved entire, 
 fflaril. grandfather h ^'^ "Pon 
 
 ^iadly, even eagerly and v ^"""^^d it 
 
 ^°°« centred about ^heh '"'"'^ ^^'^'^ce 
 
 ;° 'W had named h^ ? '"'' J^-es-fo, 
 
 "'-hissonhade;rbTe„"T'"-'°Wn> 
 
 ^«n- It grew evident 
 
 
'ar 
 
 ^s^'tion Jed him 
 '^^tinct, which 
 ^> was strong- 
 ly to trading, 
 succeeded at 
 considered a 
 
 -' and inter- 
 «t)oat traffic 
 ^•^ As the 
 ^s's fortune 
 ■as born in 
 -nt a very 
 »d deal of 
 ^tinie, and 
 ion. i^ot 
 
 ^as kiJJed 
 '^e, and, 
 ^ giving 
 
 '^y upon 
 med it 
 
 ^istence 
 3 — for 
 to him 
 vident 
 
 /m Weeks - 
 
 that he would have the Weeks build, and, by 
 the time he was fifteen, he was as lean, big- 
 boned, awkward a hobbledehoy as the old man 
 could wish. His grandfather's wealth did not 
 spoil him in the least ; he was the kind of a 
 boy it would have been difficult to spoil. 
 
 He had no fondness for books, but it is to 
 be doubted if that was much of a grief to his 
 grandfather. He was good at mathematics, - 
 he used to work out problems for fun, - and an 
 excellent memory for certain kinds of details 
 enabled him to master geography without diffi- 
 culty. The great passion of his boyhood was 
 for the big, roaring, pounding steamboats that 
 went down to New Orleans. His ambition, like 
 that of nearly every boy who lived in sight of 
 those packets, was to be a river pilot, and he 
 was nearing his majority before he outgrew it. 
 
 He was twenty-two years old ,vhen he fell in 
 love with Ethel Harvey. She was nineteen 
 when she came home from the Eastern school 
 where she had spent the past five years, and she 
 burst upon Jim in the first glory of her woman- 
 hood. When she had grown an old woman the 
 young girls still envied her beauty, and won- 
 dered what it must have been in its first bloom 
 
4 The Short Line War 
 
 Small wonder that Tim f«n • ^ 
 
 "^e path .„« r; „ Lr/^sT'""^ •^''-" 
 street. She was riding he It H '° "^^ 
 
 -art gallop, but she p^ulS u^sh!': ""' '' '^ 
 him and drawing off a^iSg ^l^S'' "' 
 
 s r.ar::r-"'~^^^^^^^^^ 
 -.-™irto:ref.hr;a:ir;h"' 
 
 and fluffy the Zl "°"'' ''^ ^^'^'^'''ous 
 
 %ht s,i;e;te:: tdT srr i" "^ 
 
 "the i^gure, which swayed ™ "'' '" 
 mare pawed and backed'and oiung "d '" " .*^ 
 for the morning gallop ", f ""S^''' ">Vat.ent 
 
 different to the^Cts of the'r K ""'^^ '"" 
 talked merrily to Tim l ^^ '''■«^' ^«d 
 
 her in h! -M :^ ■ ^''° ''°°'' '«oking «p at 
 ner m bewildered admiration Af if/^u 
 shook hands again md r./ '' ^''^ 
 
 Chan Weeks walked back ntt Zf '"' J""^" 
 sajsfied „, "Theyir.i^^.^lr^''''^ 
 
 the:hiXy:Shirfr't^'^-^'' 
 
 FPy weeics that followed, Ethel did 
 
Jim Weeks 
 
 with her ; it 
 
 turn, on a 
 »^iing down 
 )use to the 
 
 mare at a 
 at sight of 
 t held out 
 Joved her. 
 
 path, but 
 , for they 
 tk hat sat 
 rebellious 
 t with its 
 'S of her 
 as the 
 nipatient 
 quite in- 
 ute, and 
 g up at 
 ast she 
 d Jona- 
 
 with a 
 
 hrough 
 lel did 
 
 s 
 
 not ride alone. Together they explored the 
 country lanes or left them for a dash straight 
 across the fields, taking anything that chanced 
 to be in the way. In their impromptu races, 
 which were frequent, Ethel almost always won ; 
 for racer though he was, Jim's sorrel found the 
 two hundred and eight pounds he carried too 
 much of a handicap. So the days went by, and 
 the ugh nothing was said about it, they talked 
 to each other, and thought of each other, as 
 lovers do. 
 
 But all the while there was growing in 
 Ethel's mind an intuition that something was 
 wrong. She had not an analytical mind, but 
 she became convinced that though she might 
 learn to understand Jim, he could never under- 
 stand her. It was not only that she was the 
 first woman who had come into his Hfe, though 
 that had much to do with it. But he was a 
 man without much instinct or imagination ; he 
 took everything seriously and Hterally, he could 
 not understand a whim. And when she saw 
 how her pretty feminine inconsistencies puzzled 
 him, and how he failed to understand the whim- 
 sical, butterfly fancies she confided to him, 
 she would cry with vexation, and think she 
 
''it 
 
 The Short Line War 
 
 tears would cease to burn her ch'T"' '"' "^^ 
 would tell herself how unwortl r ' '"' ^"^ 
 '°ve of a man like tl lw\ ' ^"^ "^ "'^ 
 ««I there; Ethel .rewtd a^d r' '""''^ ''^^ 
 -r failed to LirsSd i^h"!' "T ''^" 
 watched, but said nothing "'^ "'^" 
 
 One evening Jjn, ^0^ j^ 
 nver. It was th,. c "' "" the 
 
 North was rarnW ^7^ °' '"' ""^^ "^^ 
 O^d to accol"h"h VTl "" '"^ '-'' ■' 
 ground and f^Lt ^^ v T ^ ^^' '''^P^^d 
 was thought f L"" ''f *'='-^'- kittle else 
 for some Le „ th" all?". '^'''"^ '<' ■^- 
 ^he sat silent in the tern H.'"^ '""'^ ^''"« 
 
 ^''^ water. R J ^ ,t™'k ^ 'r ^'"^ '" 
 quiet. ^ ^^^^ why she was so 
 
 "I think this war ;„ 
 
 " Let. talk about'lLrr"'^'''"^''^-''- 
 eyes followed the b,-; f .'"''"'"'' ^"^ ^er 
 ^''-ing its :;';i7f;^^-' Which was 
 
 paddle-wheels, or norM. L "^^'•~" about 
 
 ^^^n^ ^aid n;thin^:rrrr--^^n." 
 ohe went on : — •'^'Ji-ning to say. 
 
 "Don't you think it is tiresom.^.,^,, 
 
 -- -^ always mean 
 
 /A 
 
"W 
 
 devotion of 
 ain, and her 
 ks, and she 
 
 was of the 
 ■rouble was 
 
 more than 
 old man 
 
 t on the 
 when the 
 he task it 
 disputed 
 little eJse 
 ig to her 
 pic while 
 •aiJing in 
 - was so 
 
 ihe said, 
 and her 
 ich was 
 " about 
 ig-" 
 to say. 
 
 smean 
 
 J^wi Weeks 7 
 
 what you say } I hate to tell the truth. Any- 
 body can do that." 
 
 " I thought," said Jim, " that you believed in 
 sincerity." 
 
 "Oh, of course I do," she exclaimed impa- 
 tiently, and again Jim was silent. 
 
 The next day he took her for a drive and it 
 was then that the end came. They had been 
 having a glorious time, for the rapid motion and 
 the bright sunshine had driven away her mood 
 of the night before and she was perfectly 
 happy ; Jim was happy in her happiness. The 
 half-broken colts were fairly steady and he let 
 her drive them and turned in his seat so that he 
 could watch her. As he looked at her there, 
 her head erect, her elbows squared, her bright 
 eyes looking straight out ahead, Jim fell deeper 
 than ever in love with her. The colts felt a 
 new and unrestraining hand on the reins, and 
 the pace increased rapidly. Jim noted it. 
 
 "You'd better pull up a little," he said. 
 "They'll be getting away from you." 
 
 " I love to go this way," she replied, and over 
 the reins she told the colts the same thing, in 
 a language they understood. Suddenly one of 
 them broke, and in a second both were running. 
 
\1 
 
 8 
 
 The Short Line War 
 
 i 
 I 
 
 give me the reins." ^^* ^ere-« 
 
 conscious bn,ta.i;^ J rto : thT '"'""^ """ 
 mg the horses ^^^ °^ ^"^et- 
 
 theless it was sev<.r=.i ^^^^''' "^^e"-" 
 
 them on thei^ eTaU'"" D '^'"^^ ''^ "^"^ 
 neither had spoken then T" '"^ '' """^ 
 break the silence H. "'"" "''"''' ^°^ "->• '<> 
 
 ^he thought shei,^:rt:re:::se7;,^'^- 
 
 to an unnecessary neril r /^^P^sed herself 
 "Don't speak to me Oh h^ t u 
 
 
/• "Here — 
 
 5ted wilfully, 
 perfectly un- 
 ns out of her 
 task of quiet- 
 
 and strong, 
 ^ster ; never- 
 ore he had 
 that time 
 ^ for her to 
 t vexed, for 
 sed herself 
 id nothing 
 
 '^P her to 
 
 Though 
 
 re tears in 
 
 ed him in 
 
 iteyou!" 
 •• " Will 
 ' he said 
 
 /t'm Weeks ^ 
 
 "I mean just that," she answered. "I — I 
 hate you." She stood still a moment; then 
 she seemed to choke, and turning, fled into 
 the house. 
 
 To Jim's mind that was the end of it. She 
 had told him that she hated him. The fact that 
 there had been a catch in her voice as she said 
 it weighed not at all with him ; that was an 
 unknown language. So he took her literally and 
 exactly and went away by himself to think it 
 over. 
 
 He was late for dinner that night, and when 
 he came in his grandfather was pacing the 
 dining room. But Jim wasted no words in ex- 
 planation. 
 
 " Grandfather," he said, " I think if you won't 
 need me for a while I'll enlist to-morrow." 
 
 " I can get along all right," said the old man, 
 "but I'm sorry you're going." 
 
 The older man was looking at the younger one 
 narrowly. Suddenly and bluntly he asked : — 
 
 " Is anything the matter with you and Ethel 
 Harvey } " 
 
 Jim nodded, and without further invitation 
 or questioning he related the whole incident. 
 " That's all there is to it," he concluded. " The 
 
10 
 
 The Shoyi Line War 
 
 team had bolted and she wouIHnV • 
 
 reins ; so I took th.m 7 ' «^""= ""^ the 
 
 in the horse Thr '""''^ ''' ""^ P""<='' 
 
 "And then sLs:M!r?'"^'='^^'°''°'' 
 Jonathan. musS,r','j''^''r ^'"'•" ^''""' 
 much sense." ^'^'"'" ^''e hasn't 
 
 ■'It ain't that," Jim answered quickly " <;i, ■ 
 got sense enouffh Th^ ».„ u, . ^' '^''<= « 
 too damned plucky.' ' ^'"^ ''" '= ^'>«'» 
 
 A few days later he w:,« , • 
 Nineteenth Indiana v\ZZL "'T '\ '"^ 
 good soldier, for not only did h^ , . '"'''' ^ 
 1;^^ his great-grandfatt before hi '"'"^^ 
 had neryes Which months of ta'' u '' 
 ^t jangling, and a con.nituion w . u "°' 
 and priyation could not ul:!?"^' '"'^"^^ 
 
 wrhis™sr^'r^^^^'''"°--e 
 
 breath comingt'Z dL't f "^ "^ ^«='^ "'^ 
 think faster .iZZlt^^r^:^'^^^^^^ ' '^ '^^''^ 
 and he knew that 17.1 ^ " "' °'''^^ "'"'«, 
 aim was gold Li;' "'" ^'^^"^ ^^ « 
 of life weretowrdtro'tn""'' "^^^ ^-- 
 and he retired rellt'n ^^h :The^"'d'"'■""^^• 
 His regiment was :„ ^ 2 ^ ' '™^- 
 mac. and the story of I ", "^ "' '''' ^"'°- 
 
 1: 
 
^"'t give me the 
 1 her and puJIed 
 "g else to do." 
 ed you," added 
 on she hasn't 
 
 lickly. "She's 
 ^ith her is she's 
 
 private in the 
 He made a 
 
 ove danger as 
 him, but he 
 
 ion could not 
 
 »ich hardship 
 
 known came 
 He felt his 
 ns; he could 
 other times, 
 ■ady and his 
 i that years 
 w minutes, 
 )rder came. 
 f the Poto- 
 
 "viiiuCiillg- 
 
 y/w IVtt-A'S 
 
 II 
 
 and magnificent fighting ncxl not be told again 
 in these pa;;cs. Jim was one of thousands of 
 brave, iiitrlligent fr^hters who did not use to 
 the command of a division or even of a regi- 
 ment. He was .i lieutenant in Company E 
 when the Nineteenth marched down the Km- 
 mittsburg Pike, through Gettysburg nnd out to 
 the ridge beyond, to hold it until reenforcements 
 should come. 
 
 They fought there during four long hours, 
 until the thin line of blue could hold no longer, 
 and gray ranks under Ewell and Pender had 
 enveloped both flanks. Then sulenly they 
 came back through the town, still firing defi- 
 antly, and cursing the help that had not come. 
 It was during this retreat that Jim w; s hit, but 
 he did not drop. Somehow — though as in a 
 dream — he kept with his regiment, and it was 
 not until they were rallied in the cemetery on 
 the other side of the town that he pitched for- 
 ward and lay quite still. 
 
 Everybody knows how the Eleventh Corps 
 held the cemetery through the two blood) days 
 that followed. But Jim was unconscious of it 
 all, for he lay on a cot in the Sanitary Con mis- 
 sion tent, raving in delirium. And the surgeons 
 
12 
 
 The Short Li7ie War 
 
 and nurses looked at him gravely and wondered 
 with every hour why he did not die. 
 
 But, as one of his comrades had said, " it took 
 a lot of pounding to lick Jim Weeks," and in a 
 surprisingly short time he was strong enough to 
 be taken home. 
 
 When he first saw his grandfather he was 
 dimly conscious of a change in him, and as 
 he grew stronger and better able to observe 
 closely he became surer of it. Jonathan had 
 been a young old man when Jim went away; 
 now he looked every one of his seventy-three 
 years, and instead of the tireless energy of former 
 times Jim noted a listlessness hard to understand. 
 
 One night after both had gone to bed Jim 
 heard his grandfather groping his way down the 
 stairs and out upon the veranda. He listened 
 intently until he heard the creak of the rock- 
 ing chair, which told him that the old man was 
 visiting again with old friends and old fancies. 
 The slow rhythm lulled Jim into a doze, and 
 then into sleep. He awakened with a start; 
 his pioneer blood made him a light sleeper, and 
 he knew that the old man could not have got 
 upstairs and past his door without waking him. 
 '• He must have gone to sleep down there," 
 
 I 
 
 4 
 
 thoug 
 
 veran 
 
 black 
 
 his si 
 
 looki 
 
 At 
 
 had 
 
 enon 
 
 gran 
 
 ning 
 
 take 
 
 fore 
 
 life 
 
 one 
 
 aloi 
 
 nex 
 
 Jor 
 tio: 
 nit 
 bu 
 in( 
 
 lO! 
 
 i 
 
 ar 
 ra 
 
Jim Weeks 
 
 13 
 
 wondered 
 
 , " it took 
 
 and in a 
 
 jnough to 
 
 ;r he was 
 1, and as 
 
 observe 
 Lthan had 
 int away; 
 inty-three 
 of former 
 iderstand. 
 
 bed Jim 
 • down the 
 e listened 
 the rock- 
 
 1 man was 
 d fancies, 
 doze, and 
 1 a start; 
 ieper, and 
 
 have got 
 king him. 
 m there," 
 
 thought Jim, and rising he went down to he 
 veranda. J nathan had gone to sleep, but the 
 bUckcob pipe was clenched between r.g.d ,aws 
 htlightless'eyes were open and seemed to be 
 
 'tfLt,t£rthatsai,s,heln., and compass 
 J been Lpt clean away, but he was strong 
 
 enough to recover his bearings quickly. His 
 :: ^dfather-s death marked an end and abegm- 
 ' ng and just as a needle when a magnet .s 
 Tk"; away swings unerringly into the Ime of 
 rlof th'e original magnet, the eart so. m 
 life swung to a new direction. There was no 
 „e whose" life could direct or influence his and 
 alone he started on what business men of the 
 next generation knew as his career. 
 
 The war had lessened but not destroyed 
 Jonathan's fortune, and it went -thout reserva- 
 tion to Jim. The times offered golden opportu 
 2 to a man with ready money and good 
 b Lss training, and his success was almos 
 Lvitable, His life from this time was the 
 logical working out of what he had '" ^nn 
 
 He turned naturally to the railroad business 
 and those who know the history of Western 
 , , .^- i.^ '^o "' 11 understand wnat 
 railroads Irom ub "-^ -P "*^' "" 
 
 
 if;!;' 
 
 ^ii 
 
 1i! 
 
 ft'! 
 
H 
 
 The Short Lifw War 
 
 a field it was for a man who was at once fearless 
 and level-headed. The craze for construction 
 and then the equally mad competition did not 
 confuse him, they simply gave him opportunities. 
 When the reaction against the railroads set in, 
 and the Granger mov^ement wrecked nearly all 
 the Western roads, Jim bowed to the inevitable, 
 but he saved himself — no one knew just how — 
 and when the State legislators were over their 
 midsummer madness he was again in the iield, 
 and again succeeding. 
 
 With the details of these struggles we are 
 not concerned. The " inside " history of many 
 of them will never be known ; in almost every 
 case it differs materially from the story v/hich 
 appeared in the papers. Jim became famous 
 and was libelled and flattered, respected and 
 abused, by turns; but always he was feared. 
 He was supposed to be dishonest, and it is true 
 he did not scruple to use his enemies' weapons ; 
 but at directors' meetings it was the interest of 
 the stockholders that he fought for. 
 
 Men wondered at his success, and over their 
 cigars gravely discussed the reasons for it. 
 Some said it was sheer good luck that turned 
 what he touched to gold, some laid it to his 
 
 ing 
 
ice fearless 
 )nstruction 
 )n did not 
 )ortunities. 
 ids set in, 
 nearly all 
 inevitable, 
 1st how — 
 over their 
 i the field. 
 
 Jim Weeks 
 
 15 
 
 start and others to his cool, dispassionate 
 strategy To some extent it was all of these 
 things ; but more than anything else he had 
 won as a bulldog does, by hanging on. Often 
 he had beaten better strategists simply by keep- 
 ino- up the fight when by all the rules he was 
 beaten. For as the comrade of long ago 
 had said, "it took a lot of pounding to lick 
 Jim Weeks." 
 
 'M 
 
 l: 
 
 ;!,»•? 
 
 2s we are 
 i of many 
 ost every 
 Dry v/hich 
 e famous 
 icted and 
 is feared, 
 it is true 
 weapons ; 
 iterest of 
 
 m 
 
 fl 
 til 
 
 )ver their 
 > for it. 
 It turned 
 it to his 
 
 
 ,*ti 
 

 CHAPTER ir 
 
 MR. McNALLV GOES TO TILLMAN CITV 
 
 It was Monday morning, September .3d 
 The telephone bell on the big mahogany desk 
 rang twice before Jim Weeks laid down the 
 
 up tne receiver. 
 
 Hod on ! Give me that name again Fred 
 
 sT; IT\ "T-^^ ^""^'"^. ■'^^ ' ot 
 
 say Yes. Thank you. Good-by." 
 
 The bell tinkled again anH r;™ 
 in his chair. ^^ ''"""^ """^ 
 
 There was another desk in the room, where 
 sat a young man busy over a pile of leTters 
 He was private secretary to a man who was 
 
 president of one railroad and director in oh:: 
 and his life was not easy. The letters he was 
 
 ■ng, Chicago. The exception was a pale blue 
 
 16 
 
Mr. McNally goes to Tillman City 17 
 
 IAN CITY 
 
 ptember 23d. 
 ahogany desk 
 id down the 
 I and picked 
 
 's Yes. 
 
 gain. Fred- 
 ing, did you 
 
 Jwung round 
 
 room, where 
 - of letters. 
 m who was 
 3r in others, 
 ters he was 
 ti addressed 
 ?ton Build- 
 ' pale blue 
 
 note addressed to Mr. Harvey West, and the 
 young man had put that at the bottom of the 
 pile and was working down to it. 
 
 The elder man spoke. "West," he said, 
 " Fox has just telephjned me that he's found 
 out who's been buying M. & T. stock. It's 
 Frederick McNally ; he's m the Dartmouth 
 Building. He isn't doing it on his own hook, 
 but I don't know who he is doing it for. Some- 
 body wants that stock mighty bad. There 
 isn't a great deal of it lying around, though." 
 
 " Do you think that Thompson — " began the 
 secretary. 
 
 " Thompson would be glad to see me out and 
 himself in," said Jim Weeks, "and he leads 
 Wing and Powers around by the nose, but he 
 can't swing enough stock to hurt anything at 
 next election. I don't believe it's he that's buy- 
 ing. Thompson hasn't got sand enough for 
 that. He'll never fight." 
 
 There was a moment's pause. Jim walked 
 over to the ticker and looked back along the 
 ribbon of paper. " It's quoted at 68J this morn- 
 ing," he said, " but no sales to amount to any- 
 thing." 
 
 *'You might go over and talk to Wing," he 
 c 
 
i8 
 
 The Short Line War 
 
 went on. "You can find out anything he 
 knows if you go at it right. I don't believe 
 there's anything there. However, I'd like to 
 know just what they are doing. You'd better 
 do it now. Send Pease in when you go out, 
 will you.?" 
 
 Harvey slipped the blue envelope from the 
 bottom of the pile of letters, called the stenog- 
 rapher, and started out. He read the note 
 while he was waiting for the elevator. 
 
 The M. & T. is a local single-track road, 
 about two hundred miles long, running between 
 the cities of Manchester and Truesdale. The 
 former is on the main line of the Northern, and 
 the latter on the C. & S. C, both of which are 
 trunk lines from Chicago to the West. The 
 M. & T. was not a money-making affair ; it had 
 cost a lot of money, its stock was away down, 
 and it trembled on the brink of insolvency until 
 Jim V/eeks took hold of it. He put money into 
 it, straightened out its tangled affairs, and inci- 
 dentally made some enemies in the board of 
 directors. There were coal mines on the line 
 near Sawyerville, which were operated in a des- 
 ultory way, but they never amounted to much 
 until some more of Jim VVeeks's money went 
 
Mr. McNally goes to Tillman City 19 
 
 into them, and then they began to pay. This 
 made the M. & T. important, especially to the 
 C. & S. C. people, who immediately tried to 
 make arrangements with Jim for the absorption 
 of the M. & T. by their line, C. & S. C. had a 
 bad name. There were many shady operations 
 associated with its management, and Jim de- 
 cided to have as little to do with it as possible, 
 so the attempt apparently was abandoned. 
 
 The stock of the M. & T. was held largely 
 by men who lived along the line of the road. 
 Tillman City and St. Johns each held large 
 blocks; they had got a special act of legisla- 
 ture to allow them to subscribe for it. These 
 stockholders had great confidence in Jim, for 
 under his management their investment was 
 beginning to pay, and they, he felt sure, ap- 
 proved of his action in the C. & S. C. matter. 
 
 Everything was going well with the road, 
 and the stock was climbing slowly but steadily. 
 It was not liable to any great fluctuation, for 
 most of its holders regarded it as a permanent 
 investment and it did not change hands to any 
 great extent. Comparatively little of it got 
 into the hands of speculators. 
 
 But suddenly it began to jump. It was evi- 
 
 III 
 
 :U3 
 
20 
 
 The Short Line War 
 
 dent to every one who watched it that some 
 important deal was afoot. Jim Weeks was as 
 much m the daric as any one. He had watched 
 .ts violent fluctuations for a week while he 
 vainly sought to ferret out the motive that was 
 causing them. And on this particular morn- 
 mg, though he sent his secretary, Hai-vey West 
 to talk to Wing, he had little idea that the' 
 young fellow would get hold of a clew 
 
 When the elevator stopped a^ the main floor 
 Harvey thrust the half-read note back into his 
 pocket. ■' No time for that sort of thing this 
 morning," he thought, "I wonder how soon I'll 
 be able to run down to see her." A moment later 
 he was walking rapidly toward the Dartmouth. 
 The men he saw and nodded to glanced round 
 at him enviously. "Case of luck," growled 
 somebody. That was true. Harvey was lucky ; 
 lucky first and foremost in that Ethel Harvev 
 was his mother. He got his mental agility as 
 well as his indomitable cheeriness from her 
 He was a healthy, sane young fellow who 
 found It easy to work hard, who could' loaf most 
 enjoyably when loal^ng was in order, and who 
 had the knack of seeing the humorous side of 
 a trying situation. He had always had plenty 
 
hat some 
 <s was as 
 I watched 
 while he 
 that was 
 ir morn- 
 ey West, 
 that the 
 w. 
 
 iin floor, 
 into his 
 ing this 
 soon I'll 
 3nt later 
 ■tmouth. 
 d round 
 growled 
 > lucky; 
 Harvey 
 2:ility as 
 m her. 
 w who 
 if most 
 id who 
 side of 
 plenty 
 
 Mr. McNally goes to Tillman City 21 
 
 of money, but that was not the reason he got 
 more fun out of his four years in college than 
 any other man in his class. He ** got down to 
 business" very quickly after his graduation, 
 and now at the end of another four years he 
 was private secretary to Jim Weeks. That of 
 course wasn't lack. The fact that Jim had 
 fallen in love with Ethel Harvey thirty years 
 before might account for his friendly interest 
 in her son, but it would not explain Harvey's 
 position of trust. He knew that he could not 
 hold it a day except by continuing to be the 
 most available man for the place. 
 
 It is probable that on this morning, the 
 contents of the pale blue note contributed 
 largely to his cheerfulness. It was evident 
 that Miss Porter liked him, and Harvey likeu 
 to be liked. 
 
 Wing's office on the sixth floor of the Dart- 
 mouth was a beautifully furnished suite, pre- 
 sided over by a boy in cut-steel buttons. Wing 
 himself was a dapper little man, a capitalist by 
 necessity only, for his money had been left to 
 him. His one ambition was to coL^ct all the 
 literature in all languages on the game of 
 chess; a game by the way which he himscif 
 
 W 
 
 % 
 
 
 ^ ^; ;i 
 
 .■>i-i! 
 
22 
 
 The Short Line War 
 
 did not play. "Mr. Wing had 
 
 lunch about 
 buttons. '• Would 
 
 gone out to 
 
 m 
 
 hour before," said the boy 
 "Mr. West wait .? " Harvey, 
 who knew Mr. Wing's luncheons of old, said 
 no, but he would call again in the afternoon. 
 As he walked back to the elevator his eye 
 fell upon another office door which bore the 
 freshly painted legend, "Frederick McNally, 
 Attorney-at-law." 
 
 Harvey lunched at the Caf6 Lyon, which is 
 across the street from the main entrance to 
 the Dartmouth. The day was warm for late 
 September, and he selected a seat just inside 
 the open door. From his table he could see 
 people hurrying in and out of the big office 
 building. He watched the crowd idly as he 
 waited for his lunch, and finally his interest 
 shifted to the big doors, which seemed to have 
 something human about them, as they mali- 
 ciously tried to catch the little messenger boys 
 who rushed between them as they swung. 
 
 Suddenly his attention came back to the 
 crowd, centring on a party of four men who 
 turned into the great entrance. Three of them 
 he knew, and the fact that they were together 
 suggested startling possibilities. They were 
 
 tb 
 
Mr. McNally goes to Tillman City 
 
 W 
 
 J out to 
 : boy in 
 Harvey, 
 )lcl, said 
 ternoon. 
 his eye 
 ore the 
 [cNally, 
 
 /hich is 
 mce to 
 "or late 
 : inside 
 ild see 
 \ office 
 as he 
 nterest 
 have 
 J mali- 
 \r boys 
 
 :o the 
 n who 
 
 them 
 gether 
 
 were 
 
 Wing, Thompsoi 
 
 nd William C. Porter of Chi- 
 ' First Vice-President of the 
 C. & S. C. and, this was the way Harvey 
 thought of him, father of the Miss Katherine 
 Porter whose name was at the bottom of the 
 note in the blue envelope. Thompson, a fat, 
 flaccid man with a colorless beard, was labori- 
 ously holding the door open for Mr. Porter, 
 then h^ preceded little Mr. Wing. The fourth 
 man was a stranger to Harvey. 
 
 He was starting to follow them when the 
 waiter came up with his order. That made him 
 pause, and a moment's reflection convinced him 
 that he had better wait. He decided that if the 
 meeting of Porter with the two M. & T. direc- 
 tors were not accidental they would be likely to 
 be in consultation for some time, and he would 
 gain more by inquiring for Mr. Wing at the ex- 
 piration of a half hour than by doing it now. 
 So he lunched at leisure and then went back to 
 tne sixth floor of the Dartmouth. 
 
 He was met by a rebuff from Buttons. ** No, 
 Mr. Wing had not come back yet," and again 
 «' Would Mr. West wait ? " Harvey could think 
 of nothing better to do, so he sat down to think 
 the matter out. He was puzzled, for the three 
 
 IV 
 
 l: i; 
 
 
 I: ^•\ 
 
 % 
 
M 
 
 T/ie Short Line War 
 
 's 
 
 men were i„ the building he M, 
 
 ^^™e to him. " ,ove"^' I, "■^- ^'"=" 't 
 
 »« baek in his chair V > '"'' '"^"•" «« 
 
 to do. ^"' ""'^ '""=" '0 decide what 
 
 Meanwhile four men .nt ,1, . , 
 polished table in Mr. McNaL , " '^ '''''''' 
 -n-ously discussed wal! 1 ""^ "'«- -d 
 
 scrappy memoranda and ll- "t ' ""'"" ''"'^ 
 I'roblems in addifin„ , ^PPeared to be 
 
 "- p-ty thoro:,s;;:: ::r r -" ''^^' 
 
 a momentary lull ;„ h,„ '• ^^"''^ "-as 
 
 silence was brokeVlVT'-^'"'""' ^"^' 'he 
 
 Wing's penclaTXr^"^'^'""-^ °fM^- 
 fingers and let tl e noJ T"' '' '='"^«" "is 
 
 '■^-able. There r'ea^^Teerdt°"r'°''°^ 
 
 - ;;y- The alliance b^reTc ^s T"', 
 
 Thompson's faction of the M & T r '"^ 
 
 been arranged some .1 u ''"■'''""■' "ad 
 
 -et to-day to see h 't '""'■ ^"^^ "-' 
 
 '°'^ -hat h'e had done and ;' "°°'- ^'^^^"^ 
 '-•s they had hon.r^' ''"'' "°' ^° -""ch 
 
 The coLlX n;?:"' '^ ^'''^ ''^ ^- 
 f-ke the field, ^0, th/ ''™"^' '"°"°'' 'o 
 
 Thompson had beenl. ''''" '"^""'^ -"'""'es 
 been leanmg over the table mak- 
 
5»re. Then it 
 nnired, " JVlc- 
 1 man." He 
 ' decide vvliat 
 
 t the square 
 w office and 
 leans. The 
 •eared to be 
 tion littered 
 ground had 
 
 There was 
 >n, and the 
 ing of Mr. 
 etween his 
 the top of 
 5e nothino- 
 S. C. and 
 ectors had 
 They had 
 
 McNally 
 
 so much 
 le to do. 
 lough to 
 
 minutes 
 ble rpxak- 
 
 I Mr. McXally goes to Tillman City 25 
 
 ■'3. 
 
 j ing suggestions in his thick voice, and McNally 
 I had sat back and qu.etly annihilated them by 
 I demonstrating their impracticability, or by stat- 
 : ing that they had been unsuccessfully tried. 
 
 Beyond asking one or two incisive questions 
 of McNally, Porter had said nothing, but had 
 stared straight out of the window. For the 
 past ten minutes he had been waiting for 
 Thompson to run down. It was he who broke 
 the silence. 
 
 "We're stuck fast" — he was speaking very 
 slowly — "unless we can get control of that 
 Tillman City stock." 
 
 McNally shook his head doubtfully. "I'm 
 afraid it's no good," he said. "Look what 
 we've offered them already. They think the 
 stock is going to go on booming clear up to 
 the sky, and they won't sell. We couldn't get 
 it at par." 
 
 Porter's chair shot back suddenly. He walked 
 over to the empty fireplace, the other men watch- 
 ing him curiously. He spread his hands behind 
 him mechanically as if to warm them. Then he 
 said : — 
 
 " I think we could get it if we were to offer 
 par." 
 
 !'4 : 
 
26 
 
 The Short Line War 
 
 " Offer par ! " thundered Thompson. " We 
 could get Jim Weeks's holdings by paying par." 
 Porter smiled indulgently. "I didn't say 
 we'd pay par for anything. But I think if 
 Mr. McNally were to sign a contract to pay 
 par the day after the M. and T. election, that 
 he could vote the stock on election day." 
 
 McNally's plump hand came down softly on 
 the table. " Good ! " he said under his breath. 
 But Mr. Thompson failed to understand. 
 " But the contract .? " he said. 
 
 " Such a contract would be a little less valu- 
 able than that waste paper," Porter replied 
 politely, indicating the crumpled sheets on the 
 table. Then he turned to McNally and asked, 
 " How many men will it take to swing it .? " 
 
 "Three, if we get the right ones. Yes, I 
 know the men we want. I can get them all 
 right," he added, in response to the unspoken 
 question. "It will need a little — oil, though, 
 for the wheels." 
 
 " I suppose so," said Porter, dryly. " I think 
 you'd better get at it right away. It's two 
 o'clock now. The two-thirty express will get 
 you to Manchester so that you can reach Till- 
 man about seven-thirty. It doesn't pay to waste 
 
 
 son, 
 
 I t' 
 
Mr. McNally goes to Tillman City 27 
 
 any time when you're trying to get ahead of Jim 
 Weeks. He moves quick. Have you got 
 money enough ? " 
 
 McNally nodded. 
 
 Thompson had come to the surface again. 
 He was breathing thickly, and his high, bald 
 forehead was damp with perspiration. *' That's 
 bribery," he said, "and it's — dangerous." 
 
 " I'm afraid that can't be helped, Mr. Thomp- 
 son," said Porter. " It's neck or nothing. 
 We've got to have that Tillman City stock." 
 
 There were but four people in the room when 
 he began speaking. There were five when he 
 finished, for Harvey West had grown tired of 
 waiting. He bowed politely. 
 
 " Good afternoon, gentlemen. Ah ! Mr. Por- 
 ter. How do you do.'' I beg your pardon for 
 intruding." 
 
 Porter recovered first. " No intrusion, Mr. 
 West. We had just finished our business." 
 
 McNally took the cue quickly. 
 
 " Mr. West .'' " he said interrogatively. 
 
 Harvey bowed. 
 
 "I will be at your service in a moment. 
 Excuse me." 
 
 Wing and Thompson had already taken the 
 
 ■!l 
 
 
28 
 
 The Short Line War 
 
 hint, and were moving toward the door. Por- 
 ter hung back, conversing in low tones with 
 McNally. Then he bowed to West and fol- 
 lowed the others. McNally gathered up the 
 papers on the table, folded them, and put them 
 in his pocket. 
 
 " Please sit down, Mr. West. What can I do 
 for you .? Wait a moment, though. Won't you 
 smoke.?" He held out his cigar case to Har- 
 vey, who took one gladly. Lighting it would 
 give him a moment more to think, and think- 
 ing was necessary, for he didn't know what 
 McNally could do for him. But McNally 
 seemed to be doing his best to help him out. 
 
 "Don't you think it very warm here.?" he 
 said, as Harvey struck a match. « Something 
 cool to drink would go pretty well. If you'll 
 excuse me for a moment more I'll go down and 
 see about getting it," and without waiting for a 
 reply, McNally put on his silk hat and stepped 
 out into the corridor. 
 
 " He certainly seems friendly, " thought Har- 
 vey, as the footfalls diminished along the floor 
 and then he puzzled over what he should say 
 when McNally came back. At last he smiled. 
 
 That's it" he ^---i ^n w,^ ^- 
 
 - — , lie ocviw to mmseli, " ill try 
 
 I'' 
 
Mr. McNally goes to Tillmmi City 29 
 
 door. Por- 
 tones with 
 St and fol- 
 ed up the 
 I put them 
 
 It can I do 
 Won't you 
 56 to Har- 
 X, it would 
 md think- 
 low what 
 
 McNally 
 m out. 
 ere.?" he 
 Something 
 
 If you'll 
 iown and 
 :ing for a 
 [ stepped 
 
 ght Har- 
 the floor, 
 lould say 
 e smiled, 
 ril try 
 
 ■-■« 
 
 to rent him that vacant suite in our office 
 building." 
 
 When West had made up his mind that the 
 party of four were not to meet in Wing's office, 
 he had decided to see if they were in McNal- 
 ly's. He could not ask for Wing, of course, so 
 he asked for McNally and trusted to the spur 
 of the moment for a pretext for his call. Now 
 that McNally's absence had enabled him to 
 think of one he took a long breath of satisfac- 
 tion. He had accomplished what he had set 
 out to accomplish, and contrary to Jim Weeks's 
 expressed expectation. There was no doubt 
 that it was a combination of the C. & S. C. and 
 Thompson's gang that was booming the M. & T. 
 Moreover there was no doubt as to their next 
 move. " But it won't work," he thought. "Jim 
 owns about half of Tillman City, and anyway 
 they'll never sell when our stock is jumping 
 up the way it is." 
 
 And having settled this important matter he 
 switched his train of thought off on another 
 track. It reached Truesdale in a very short 
 time, but it had nothing to do with M. & T., or 
 with Mr. McNally. He took the note out of 
 his pocket and read it through twice, and then 
 
 If 
 
 ^'M 
 
30 
 
 The Short Line War 
 
 smoked over it comfortably for some time 
 before he began vaguely to wonder why Mr 
 McNally didn^t come back. Five minutes later 
 he glanced at his cigar ash. It was an inch 
 and a half long. ''That means twenty min- 
 utes," he said thoughtfully, and then it dawned 
 on him that things had happened which were 
 not dov/n on the schedule. 
 
 He walked quickly to the telephone, and a 
 moment later Pease was talking to him. 
 
 "No," said the stenographer; "Mr. Weeks 
 went out to lunch about an hour ago. He said 
 
 he wouldn't be back to the office this after- 
 noon." 
 
 There had been no words wasted in the two 
 mmutes' conversation between Porter and Mc- 
 Nally after Harvey's abrupt entrance, and as a 
 result of It, while the young secretary waited 
 and thought over the good stroke of work he 
 had done for Jim Weeks and of another good 
 stroke he might some day do for himself, Mr 
 Frederick McNally took the two-thirty express 
 for Manchester and Tillman City. 
 
 : 
 
r 
 
 
 CHAPTER III 
 
 POLITICS AND OTHER THINGS 
 
 Harvey West was a young man. Perhaps 
 had he been older, had his wisdom been salted 
 v/ith experience, he would not have put two and 
 two together without realizing that the sum 
 was four ; but then, it is the difference between 
 twenty-six and fifty that makes railroads a 
 possibility. He walked slowly to the elevator 
 and descended to the street. At the corner he 
 paused and looked about, turning over in his 
 mind the singular disappearance of Mr. Mc- 
 Nally. " He can't do anything with Tillman's 
 stock," thought Harvey. "They're solid for 
 us." But Harvey in his brief business life had 
 not fathomed the devious ways of the chronic 
 capitalist. He knew that commercial honor 
 was honeycombed with corrupt financiering, 
 but to him the corrupt side was more or less 
 vague, and never having soiled his fingers he 
 
 31 
 
 »' li 
 
 ^-11 
 
32 
 
 The Short Line War 
 
 i 
 
 III ■!;; 
 
 failed to realize the nearness of the mud 
 Harvey had yet to learn that in dealing with a 
 municipality or with a legislature, the law of 
 success has but two prime factors, money and 
 speed. 
 
 He walked slowly over Madison Street and 
 turned into State. Weeks was not in the office, 
 and anyway he wished to clear his mind, if 
 possible, before he talked with him ; meanwhile 
 sauntering up the east side of State Street with 
 an eye for the shopping throng. People in- 
 terested Harvey. He was fond of noting types, 
 and of watching the sandwich-men, beggars,' 
 and shoe-string venders. Often at noon he 
 would walk from Randolph Street to Harrison 
 observing the shifting character of Chicago's 
 great thoroughfare. To Harvey it seemed like 
 a river, starting clear but gradually roiled by 
 the smaller streams that poured in. each a 
 httle muddier than the one next north, until it 
 was clogged and stagnant with the scum of the 
 city. But to-day he was going north. The 
 sidewalk was crowded with eager girls and 
 jaded women, keen on the scent of bargains. 
 These amused Harvey, and he smiled as he 
 crossed Washington Street. A moment later 
 
 tl 
 
 
Politics and Other Things 
 
 33 
 
 the smile brightened. Miss Porter stood on the 
 
 corner. 
 
 " Surprised to see me .? " she laughed. " Father 
 came up unexpectedly on business, and I tagged 
 along to do some shopping. Are you in a 
 hurry ? I suppose so. You men never lose a 
 chance to awe us .vith the value of your time." 
 
 " No," Harvey replied, " I'm not at all in a 
 
 hurry." 
 
 " Good, then you can help me. I am buying 
 
 a gown." 
 
 They went into Field's, and for nearly an hour 
 Harvey " helped." It did not take him long to 
 realize that nowhere is a strong man more help- 
 less than in a department store. He went 
 through yards of samples, fingered dozens of 
 fabrics ; he discussed and suggested, all with a 
 critical air that amused Miss Porter. She tried 
 at first to take him seriously, but finally gave 
 up, leaned against the counter and laughed. 
 
 " Suppose we go up to the waiting room," she 
 said. " You can talk, anyway." 
 
 With a smile Harvey assented, and they seated 
 themselves near the railing, where they could 
 look down on the human kaleidoscope below. 
 
 " By tne way," said Harvey, after they had 
 
 i' ) 
 
 
 
34 
 
 The Short Line War 
 
 k iii 
 
 iti.' 
 
 chatted for some time "thic «, • . 
 
 Has a good joke on ^;. oTo.TZZ^ "^"'.""^ 
 bor<! n;^ ^ ^ ruesdale neie:h. 
 
 Dors. Uid you see it? " ^ 
 
 "No. Tell me about it " 
 
 from Lake Geneva to ,1 awav ff" '" ' '""^ 
 that were following him anZ T '""' "^^^'^ 
 «on he's been trying to ''"'r""^ '"''■ 
 
 went up to Minnesota or so^htX: 
 
 There wasn't a ,^n ..i. clothes. 
 
 . ^""'^ ^ ^^an there anywhere near i.- 
 
 'Father will enjov that- " .u 
 
 loves to langh at^udge Blae;-":. ;'f 
 added, "I wonder wire fatht is" ^'^ 
 
 ve;fsLT"'""*°^^"^^''^'<='°-d^y-'"Har. 
 
 "No. Not until day afff^r f^ 
 
 go to the South SideTo JL - °-"°:''"°"- We 
 
 >o axxxuci, latiier and I. 
 
Politics and Other Things 
 
 35 
 
 Father told me to meet him here at half-past 
 three." 
 
 Harvey drew out his ^'' ^.ch. 
 
 " It is after four now." 
 
 " Yes, I'm a little worried. Father is usually- 
 very prompt. He had to see some men about 
 the railroad, but he said it wouldn't take him 
 long. I'm afraid something has happened." 
 
 So was H; rvey. The mention of Mr. Porter 
 brought back to him certain peculiar facts, and 
 for a moment he thought fast. Evidently some- 
 thing was happening. In case there was a 
 chance of Tillman City wavering, Jim Weeks 
 should know of Porter's activity and at once. 
 Harvey rose abruptly. 
 
 " Excuse me. I find I have forgotten some 
 work at the office." 
 
 " Must you go .-* I am sorry." She rose and 
 extended her hand. ** I shan't be at home 
 cither night or I'd ask you to come and see 
 me. But you are coming down to Truc^dale 
 soon, remember." 
 
 " Yes," said Harvey. " Good-by." 
 
 He walked rapidly to the Washington Build- 
 ing. Jim had left no word, and Harvey called 
 up the Ashland Avenue residence, but could 
 
 1*. 
 
 
 . H? 
 
 '. "'W^ 
 
36 
 
 (6! IJI, 
 
 The Short Line War 
 
 learn noth.ng. The Northern Station master 
 returned a similar report : Mr. Weeks had not 
 been seen. Harvey sat down and rested his 
 elbows on the desk. Already it might be too 
 late. He called to mind Jim's business arrange- 
 ments, m the hope of striking a c'.ew by chance 
 He was mterrupted by a few callers, whom he 
 disposed of with a rush ; and he was closing 
 his desk with a vague idea of hunting Jim in 
 person when he was called to the 'phone. It 
 was the station master. 
 
 " I was mistaken, Mr. West," he said. " Four 
 teen has just got in from Manchester, and he 
 says he took Mr. Weeks out at noon." 
 
 Harvey rang off and called up the M & T 
 termmal station at Manchester. 
 
 there"'""' ^'"' '' ^'"''^°- ^' ^'- ^"''^ 
 "Well -say, hello! Hold on, central!- 
 
 W.1 you call him to the 'phone, please.?" 
 " Why not .' " 
 
 " Where .' At the shops .? " 
 "Sorry, but I guess you'll have to interrupt 
 him. Important business." 
 " Can't help it if the whole road's blocked. 
 
 Get him 
 Good-by. 
 
 as quick as you can and call 
 
 us 
 
 up. 
 
Politics ami Other Tilings 
 
 37 
 
 on master 
 s had not 
 rested his 
 :ht be too 
 s arrange- 
 >y chance, 
 whom he 
 LS closing 
 g Jim in 
 hone. It 
 
 " Four- 
 , and he 
 
 M. & T. 
 Weeks 
 
 itral ! — 
 ;e ? " 
 
 iterrupt 
 
 locked, 
 us up. 
 
 Harvey waited ten minutes, twenty, thirty, 
 thirty-five — then the bell rang. 
 
 "Hello!" 
 
 "Yes." 
 
 " Not there ? " 
 
 " Wait a minute. You say he took the 4.30 ? " 
 
 "All right. Good-by." 
 
 Harvey turned back to his desk with a scowl. 
 He passed the next hour clearing up what was 
 left of the day's work ; then he went out to din- 
 ner, and at 6.45 met Jim Weeks at the Northern 
 Station. 
 
 " Hello," said the magnate, " what's up } " 
 
 " Porter is," replied Harvey. " I cornered 
 him and McNally with Thompson and Wing, 
 and I think McNally's gone after the Tillman 
 stock." 
 
 " I guess not," Jim smiled indulgently. " They 
 can't touch it. Tell me what you know." 
 
 Harvey related his experience, and as one 
 detail followed another Jim's eyebrows came 
 together. He took out his watch and looked 
 at it, then his eye swept the broad row of trains 
 in the gloomy, barnlike station. The hands on 
 the three-sided clock pointed to seven, and the 
 Northern Vestibule Limited began to roll out on 
 
 
 «?. 
 
 Ift'!' 
 
 
38 
 
 The Short Line War 
 
 Suddenly 
 
 its run to Manchester and the VVes 
 Jim broke in ; — 
 
 "I'm going to Tillman. Back to-morrow.- 
 self n ffi "" P'^"°"" ''"'J ^>-"»g him- 
 
 c:irs:rrve%r.r°^''^- 
 
 sW.y walkeC out to i^Z.^r^:^^^ 
 
 In the meantime Mr Porter ,„,„ 
 Being unsuccessful . '', . ^""^"^ "'^= "ervous. 
 t, nsuccesstul m iiis search for Weelcs 
 and seemg the possibility of failure before him 
 he greeted the hour of five with a frown-^^t' 
 
 McNally was on the field and must fight i 
 
 out alone. It was a quarter after five 'wL; 
 he stepped from the elevator at Fidd's 
 and^^confronted a very reproachful Z: 
 
 "Sorry, dear, but I couldn't get awav ,n. 
 sooner." ^ ^^^^ any 
 
 ;; What was it. dad .> That old railroad .' " 
 
 You .vouldn't understand it if I told you " 
 Kathermc frowned prettily ' 
 
 ab«' ""^' ^°" ^'-y= -y- Tell me 
 
 i (Isii- 
 
Politics and Other T/iincrs 
 
 39 
 
 >uddcnly 
 
 TOW." 
 
 ng him- 
 the re- 
 it, then 
 had not 
 of Jim 
 
 ervous. 
 ^eeks, 
 ■e him, 
 ti; but 
 
 done, 
 ght it 
 
 when 
 ield's, 
 ^oung 
 
 ' any 
 
 .1. 
 
 M 
 
 me 
 
 "Well, it was very important that I should 
 see a man before he saw another one," 
 
 " Did you see him ? " 
 
 " No, I couldn't find him." 
 
 " Does it mean a loss to you, dad ? " 
 
 "I hope not, dear. But we must get started." 
 
 " I thought you never would come. It was 
 lucky that I had company part of the time." 
 
 " That's good. Who was it } " 
 
 "Mr. West." 
 
 "Mr. West.? — Not Weeks's man — not — " 
 
 Katherine nodded. Her father looked at her 
 puzzled ; then his brow slightly relaxed, and he 
 smiled. "By Jove!" he said softly. Katherine 
 was watching him in some surprise. 
 
 "Katherine, you are a brick. ' a shall have 
 the new cart. Yes, sir. I'll order it to-morrow." 
 
 "What have I done.?" 
 
 " You've saved the day, my dear." Suddenly 
 he frowned again. " Hold on ; when did you 
 see him } " 
 
 " I met him about three. I guess he was 
 here an hour or more." 
 
 " Couldn't be better ! But he must be an 
 awful fool." 
 
 Katherine bit her lip. 
 
 ill 
 
 :f| 
 
 
 
40 
 
 The Short Line War 
 
 "Why? "she asked quietly 
 
 must be an awful fool " ^ ^- "^ 
 
 a feculf "' '''"°"'' "" *" *« ^'--tor with 
 
 ^aS-::jxro;at:;-^-^-^- 
 -iontoai„eatthfcr;?r„T;;sr; 
 
 e-tx ::::jrea;: :;p:^^^^^^^^^ 
 po.atj^.eta":::eTti::'^n^^^ 
 
 ^nsubo.ai„ate legislatures .WthJ t " ^t o^ if 
 no wuhout expense, and naturally th/pres'en 
 as. Offered few difficulties. That wafw ^ 
 after an hour or so of thought, he strai^hter.v 
 
 mr 7r'' ''°"^'" '^ p^p-. -^ read "' : : ' 
 
 ■nterest, from the foreign news to the foot h- ; 
 P ospects. Mr. MeNally's tastes were co I 
 Poluan, and now that his method was H 
 
 li'i' 
 
Politics and Other Things 
 
 41 
 
 en Weeks 
 me. He 
 
 ator with 
 why her 
 
 ^Ily wired 
 ■ an invi- 
 7 AS P.M. 
 plan of 
 
 1 mildly 
 d finan- 
 or deli- 
 )us cor- 
 bduing 
 ion, if 
 )resent 
 ' why, 
 iten.:d 
 :t with 
 ot-ball 
 osnio- 
 deter- 
 
 mined he dismissed M. & T. stock from his 
 mind. He knew Tillman City, and more to the 
 point, he knew Michael Blaney, Chairman of 
 the Council Finance Committee. Finesse would 
 not be needed, subtlety would be lost, with 
 Blaney, and so Mr. McNally was prepared to 
 talk bluntly. And on occasion Mr. McNally 
 could be terseness itself. 
 
 On his arrival he took a cab for the hotel. 
 The Committee were on hand to meet him, 
 and Blaney made him acquainted with the 
 others. 
 
 Michael Blaney was a man of the people. He 
 was tall and angular, hands and face seamed 
 and leathery from the work of earlier days, 
 eyes small and keen, and a scraggy mustache, 
 that petered out at the ends. He had risen by 
 slow but sure stages from a struggling contrac- 
 tor with no pull, to be the absolute monarch 
 of six wards; and as the other seven wards 
 were divided between the pro- and anti-pavers, 
 Blaney held the municipal reins. He still 
 derived an income from city contracts, but his 
 name did not appear on the bids. 
 
 After dinner Mr. McNally led the way to his 
 room, and in a few words announced that he 
 
 ■\% 
 
I :■' 
 
 42 
 
 The Short Line War 
 
 had come for the M. & T. stock. Blaney 
 tipped back in his chair and shook his head 
 " Can't do it, Mr. McNally. It ain't for sale " 
 "So I heard," said McNally, quietly, "but I 
 want it." 
 
 ;' You see it's like this. When they were 
 building the line, we took the stock on a special 
 act — " 
 
 "I understand all that," McNally interrupted. 
 That can be fixed." 
 
 Williams, one of the other two, leaned over 
 the table. 
 
 "We ain't fools enough to go up against Jim 
 Weeks, he said. 
 
 " Don't worry about Weeks," replied McNally 
 " I can take care of him." 
 
 " Who are you buying for ? " asked Blaney 
 McNally looked thoughtfully at the three 
 
 men, then said quietly: 
 
 " J ^^ buying for C. & S. C. Jim Weeks is 
 ail right, but he can't hold out against us." 
 " Well, I tell vou, Mr. McNally, we can't sell " 
 "Why not.?" 
 
 " Outside of the original terms — and they 
 sew us up -we never could get it through the 
 Council" 
 
Politics and Other Things 
 
 43 
 
 McNally folded his hands on the table and 
 looked at Blaney with twinkling eyes. 
 "That's all rot, Blaney." 
 ** No, it ain't. The boys are right with Weeks." 
 " See here, Blaney. You just stop and ask 
 yourself what Weeks has done for you. He's 
 sunk a lot of your money and a lot of St. 
 Johns's money, to say nothing of Chicago, in 
 a road that never has paid and never will pay. 
 Why, man, the stock would be at forty now if 
 we hadn't pushed it up. I tell you Jim Weeks 
 is licked. The only way for you to get your 
 money back is to vote in men who can make it 
 go. '^Ve've got the money, and we've got the 
 m- [t will be a good thing for Tillman City, 
 and a good thing" — he paused, and looked 
 meaningly at the three faces before him — "a 
 mighty good thing for you boys." 
 
 " We couldn't put it through in time for the 
 election anyhow." 
 
 " The eighth } That's two weeks." 
 
 " I know it, but we'd have to work the oppo- 
 sition." 
 
 " Talk business, Blaney. I'll make it worth 
 your while." 
 
 " Whal'li you give 1 " 
 
 I 
 1 1 
 
 H 
 
 I {1 
 
44 
 
 The Short Line War 
 
 \\ 
 
 
 " For the stock ? " 
 
 " Well ~ yes, for the stock." 
 "I'll give you par." 
 "Um — when?" 
 
 "That depends on you. However, if you 
 really want time, you can have it. I suppo=. 
 you boys vote the stock?" 
 
 All three nodded. 
 
 "Well, you vote for our men, and I'll sign an 
 agreement to pay cashat par after the meeting." 
 
 'Why not now?" ^ 
 
 I w'olr"""'?r' '"^ """'^ °" y°"- Anyhow, 
 I won ^tpay tun get the stock, and you seL to 
 
 Blaney glanced at the other two. Thev were 
 watcing McNally closely, and WiiliaZw 
 McN^s ^^ watch Chain. Blaney's eyes met 
 
 "What'll you do for us .'" he asked. "Ifll 
 take careful work." 
 
 For answer McNally rose and went to the bed, 
 where h.s bag lay open, He rummaged a mo 
 ment, then returned with a pack of cards. 
 
 ••Clo?etws •■'"•" '^"'''^^^""^'''"'-'^- 
 
 He dealt the cards with doff \..^a. t.. 
 
 ''"""•=• rJianey 
 
Politics and Other Things 
 
 45 
 
 ^er, if you 
 I supposii 
 
 -W sign an 
 meeting." 
 
 Anyhow, 
 >u seem to 
 
 "hey were 
 ams was 
 eyes met 
 
 i " It'll 
 
 ' the bed, 
 ed a mo- 
 Is. 
 himself. 
 
 Blanc 
 
 y 
 
 started to take his up, then paused with his hand 
 over them. 
 
 " What's the ante .? " he asked. 
 
 " Oh, five hundred ? " McNally replied. 
 
 Blaney pushed the cards back. 
 
 " No," he said, " not enough." 
 
 Williams seconded his chief with a shake of 
 the head. 
 
 " Well, name it yourself." 
 
 "A thousand." 
 
 McNally pursed his lips, then drew out a 
 wallet, and counted out three thousand dollars 
 in large bills, which he laid in the centre of the 
 table. 
 
 " There's four playing," suggested Blaney. 
 
 McNally scov/led. 
 
 " Don't be a hog, Blaney." He took up his 
 hand, then laid it down and rose, adding, — 
 
 " Can't do anything with that hand." 
 
 The three Committeemen dropped their cards 
 and each pocketed a third of the money. Mr. 
 McNally fished a pad from his grip and wrote 
 the contract binding himself to pay for the 
 stock after the election on condition that it 
 should be voted at his dictation. He signed it, 
 and tossed it across the table. 
 
 
 _^*^^'b;4i&.\,; 
 
46 
 
 The Short Line War 
 
 
 I 
 I 
 
 "All right, Mr. McNally," said Blaney, hold- 
 ing out his hand. "I guess we can see you 
 through. Good night." 
 
 "Good night, Blaney; good night, boys." 
 McNally shook hands cordially with each. 
 " We'll have a good road here yet." 
 
 When their footfalls died away in the hall 
 Mr. McNally turned to the table, gathered the 
 cards, and replaced them in his bag. The room 
 was close with cigar smoke, and he threw open 
 the wmdows. With the sensation of removing 
 something offensive, he washed his hands. He 
 stood for a few moments looking out the win- 
 dow at the quiet city, then he sauntered down- 
 stairs and into the deserted parlor, seating him- 
 self at the piano. His plump hands wandered 
 over the keys with surprisingly delicate touch. 
 For a short time he improvised. Then as the 
 night quiet sfole into his thoughts, he drifted 
 into Rubins .m's Melody in F, playing it 
 dreamily. 
 
 ii 
 
ney, hold- 
 1 see you 
 
 It, boys." 
 ith each. 
 
 the hall, 
 hered the 
 Fhe room 
 rew open 
 removing 
 ids. He 
 the win- 
 id down- 
 ing him- 
 ^andered 
 e touch, 
 i as the 
 ■ drifted 
 ■ying it 
 
 CHAPTER IV 
 
 JIM WEEKS CLOSES IN 
 
 It was midnight when Jim Weeks reached 
 Tillman City. The next morning at breakfast 
 he recognized Mr. McNally, and though he 
 nodded pleasantly, his thoughts were not the 
 most amicable. He knew that McNally meant 
 mischief, and he also knew that McNally's mis- 
 chief could be accomplished only through one 
 man, Michael Blancy. Heretofore Blaney had 
 not troubled Jim. Jim's power and his hold on 
 Tillman City affairs had combined to inspire 
 the lesser dictator with awe, and in order to 
 obtain concessions it had been necessary only 
 to ask for them. Jim never dealt direct with 
 Blaney. The councilman to whom he intrusted 
 his measures was Bridge, leader of the pro- 
 pavers. Jim had won him by generosity in 
 transportation of paving supplies. But when 
 Jim left the hotel that morning he wasted no 
 time on minority leaders. Bridge was useful to 
 
 47 
 
 J'l 
 
48 
 
 The Short Line War 
 
 !|s!' 
 
 1r 
 
 prepare and introduce ordinances, but was not 
 of the caliber for big deals, so Jim ordered a 
 carnage and drove direct to Blaney's house. 
 Although the hour was early, the politician was 
 not at home. His wife, a frail little woman, 
 came to the door and extended a flexible speak- 
 ing trumpet that hung about her shoulders. 
 
 "No," she said in reply to Jim's question, 
 ^ he s down on the artesian road watching a 
 job. He won't be bc::k till noon." 
 
 The road in question leads from the city to 
 the artesian well a few miles away. Jim turned 
 his horses and went back through the town and 
 out toward the country. He found Blaney just 
 mside the city limits, sitting on a curb and over- 
 seemg two bosses and a gang of laborers, who 
 were tearing up the macadam with the destruc- 
 tive enthusiasm of the hired sewer digger. 
 
 " How are you, Blaney .? " called Jim, pulling 
 up. ^ 
 
 Blaney nodded sourly. He was a man of 
 bullymg rather than of tactful propensities and 
 he could not conceal his distaste for an inter- 
 view with Jim Weeks at this particular moment 
 To tell the truth, he had begun to fear the 
 results of the agreement with McNaiiy which 
 
Jim Weeks Closes In 
 
 49 
 
 was not 
 dered a 
 > house, 
 ian was 
 woman, 
 : speak- 
 ;rs. 
 
 Liestion, 
 :hing a 
 
 city to 
 turned 
 vn and 
 2y just 
 d over- 
 s, who 
 estruc- 
 
 )ulling 
 
 lan of 
 s and 
 inter- 
 ment, 
 •r the 
 vhich 
 
 rested in his coat pocket. Weeks was a hard 
 man to fight, and wasted no words on disloyalty. 
 However, Blaney knew that dissimulation would 
 profit him nothing, for to keep the changed vote 
 a secret would be impossible; so he squared 
 himself for a row. Jim tied his horses to a 
 sapling and sat beside him, remarking, — 
 
 "I want to have a talk with you." 
 
 " Haven't got much time," replied Blaney, 
 making a show of looking at his watch. 
 
 Jim smiled meaningly. 
 
 " You've got all the time I need. I want to 
 know what you're up to with our stock." 
 
 Blaney gazed at the laborers. 
 
 " Here ! " he called to a lazy Irishman, " get 
 back there where you belong ! " 
 
 " Come now, Blaney, talk business." 
 
 "What do you want to know about that 
 stock.?" 
 
 " How are you going to vote it .>' " 
 
 "I guess I can vote it." 
 
 " Are you going to stick to me } " 
 
 ** I don't know whether I am or not. I'll do 
 what the Council directs." 
 
 Jim gave him a contemptuous glance. 
 
 " Don't be a fool, Blaney." 
 
 B 
 
 
 ,ifi 
 
50 
 
 i' 
 
 The Short Line War 
 
 "See here," said B]aney, rising; "what are 
 you trying to do ? " ^^ 
 
 Jim rose too. 
 
 ■•ZTv"';'"'""''"^ "'^ ''"""''"•" he replied. 
 You think you can throiv me out '• 
 
 2 " K "" ^^'^ '"'' ''°°'' '°°'^''»e at 
 the trench ,n the street which the n,en had sunl 
 
 shoulder deep Jim followed. 
 
 " I'm not through yet, Blaney." 
 
 "I haven't got tin.e to talk with you," blus 
 ere the contractor. Jim stood a mome t look 
 
 Irfsht:^^^- "'^"^^'^ ''- -- "-'^ - f'e 
 ^^^1' How much did he give you ..-asked Jim, 
 
 Blaney whirled around. 
 
 "Look out," he said "T ri««»^ i 
 
 > iic aaia. 1 don t know wh^if 
 
 trm:"'H-%t"'''"^™^"-'^-^^'^ 
 
 withTtit em"l'^'^ ^''^ '''"''^'- ^'^ ^Poi- 
 
 Knew all that some hours a^o If T 
 couldn work it any better than you-'ve doL 
 Blaney-" ''°" "'^' ' ^-' ^^ ^o clo, 
 
Jim Weeks Closes In 
 
 51 
 
 what 
 
 are 
 
 replied. 
 
 Tiutterecl 
 Dking at 
 ad sunk 
 
 ," blus- 
 nt look- 
 on the 
 
 id Jim, 
 
 ^ what 
 y that 
 spoke 
 
 )r my 
 If I 
 done, 
 ) do. 
 
 "See here, you've said enough!" Blaney 
 was excited. "You can't come around here 
 and bulldoze me. We've bought that stock 
 and we'll vote it as we like, damn it; and you 
 can go to hell ! " 
 
 Jim looked at him thoughtfully, then he went 
 to his buggy and drove back to the hotel. He 
 saw that Blaney was frightened, but he evi- 
 dently was too thoroughly bought up to be 
 easily shaken. With what some men called 
 his "gameness" Jim dropped Blaney from his 
 mind for the moment, and began to plan for a 
 desperate counter move. Before he reached 
 the hotel the move was decided upon, and Jim 
 was placid. 
 
 The next man to see was Bridge. Jim 
 paused at the hotel long enough to send a 
 message to the station agent to have a special 
 ready in fifteen minutes; then he went to the 
 office of his lieutenant. 
 
 Bridge was an architect with a yearning for 
 politics. For several years he had tried to keep 
 both irons in the fire, and as a result was not 
 over-successful in either. But he was a shrewd, 
 silent man, and could be trusted. Jim found 
 him designing a stable. 
 
I'h 
 
 53 
 
 The Short Line War 
 
 "Sit down, Mr. Weeks. What brings you to 
 
 Tillman ? ' 
 
 •'Bad business." responded Jim, shortly, 
 iilaney's sold out to the C. & S. C. " 
 Mr. Bridge sat upon his table and said noth- 
 ing. When taken by surprise Mr. Bridge usu- 
 ally said nothing; that is why he had risen to 
 the leadership of a faction. 
 
 "I don't know just what's happened," Jim 
 went on, "but there's trouble ahead." 
 
 "Does Blaney say he's going to vote against 
 you } " 
 
 "No." said Jin,, "but he gave himself 
 
 away. 
 
 " Can you block him > " 
 Jim passed over the question. 
 " I wish you'd watch him, Bridge. There's 
 a deal on, and Frederick McNally is the other 
 pany. He's for C. & S. C. of course. Do 
 you know him ? " 
 
 Bridge shook his head. 
 
 " Well, never mind. I'll watch him. But 
 you worry Blaney. He's a little rattled now - 
 I reckon McNally's soaked him,-and if you're 
 careful you ought to find out something. I 
 want to know just how they've fixed it." 
 
 li 
 
Jim Weeks Closes In 
 
 53 
 
 s you to 
 shortly. 
 
 >» 
 
 id noth- 
 Ige usu- 
 risen to 
 
 3/' Jim 
 
 against 
 
 limself 
 
 'here's 
 
 other 
 
 . Do 
 
 But 
 
 ^ou're 
 g- I 
 
 Bridge nodded. 
 
 " I'll keep an eye on him." 
 
 "Well,"— Jim rose, — "I've got a train to 
 catch. Good-by." 
 
 He drove rapidly to the station; the agent 
 hurried toward him as he pulled up at the 
 platform. 
 
 "I only got your message this minute, Mr. 
 Weeks," he s?»''d; "there isn't a car in the 
 yards." 
 
 "What's XWc:^r' [im looked at his watch. 
 "Got an engin. ^" 
 
 " Only the switch engine." 
 
 " I'll take that." 
 
 The agent hesitated. 
 
 "You wouldn't get through before next 
 week," he said. " There's a couple of passen- 
 ger engines in the roundhouse, but they ain't 
 fired." 
 
 The telegraph operator leaned out of the 
 window and broke into the conversation. 
 
 "Murphy's firing the big eleven for sixteen 
 from Truesdale. You might take that." 
 
 "Got a good man to run it } " asked Jim. 
 
 "Jawn Donohue's on the switch engine," 
 replied the operator. "He knows the road." 
 
 I 
 
 J 
 
 :|i 
 
iJ 
 
 ■III'; 
 
 II 
 
 54 
 
 T/i^ Short Line War 
 
 J.m dimly remembered the name Donohue 
 Somewhat more than a year before his manat; 
 
 had reduced a man of that name for cripphW 
 an engme on a flying switch ^ 
 
 Wee"'" slid t'h? """ '°" ^"""^ ^•='' M- 
 weeks said the agent, and turning, he ran 
 
 down the platform toward the freigh house 
 Jim called after him : — 
 
 "He's got to connect at Manchester with the 
 twelve o'clock for Chicago." 
 
 Jawn's dumpy little engine was blowing off 
 onas,d.ng. Jawn was oiling. He was a short 
 man, filling out his wide overalls with an in-'em 
 to-stay appearance. His beard was brushy his 
 eyes were lost in a gray tangle of brows and 
 lashes, and he chewed the stem of a cob pi;e 
 
 Jawn, said the agent, excitedly, " get eleven 
 "P to the platform quick ! " g« eleven 
 
 Jawn turned around, lowered the oil-can, and 
 looked at te nervous agent with impassive yes 
 Why } he said slowly. ^ 
 
 twZ::5or" '" """"' "'"^ ^="'^'^-'- ^' 
 
 Jawn replaced his pipe. 
 
 trar'wf'''?'''^'"=™P''-'" -the house 
 track. Who s it for ? " 
 
 \%\ 
 
Donohue. 
 manager 
 crippling 
 
 ?et, Mr. 
 . he ran 
 t liouse. 
 
 'Vith the 
 
 ^ing off 
 a short 
 in-'eni- 
 5hy, his 
 ws and 
 pipe, 
 eleven 
 
 n, and 
 2 eyes. 
 
 Iter at 
 
 house 
 
 /tm Wt\'^ks Closes In 55 
 
 " Don't stop for that ! It's the President ! " 
 
 Javvn grunted, and walked deliberately across 
 the tracks and into the roundhouse, followed 
 by his fireman. Murphy, the hostler, was hov- 
 ering about the big throbbing locomotive, put- 
 ting a final polish on the oil-cups and piston-rods. 
 Jawn, without a word, climbed into the cab, 
 and out over the tender, where he lifted the 
 tank lid and peered down at the water. 
 
 " Never mind that," the agent called. " You 
 can water up at Byron," 
 
 Jawn slowly clambered over the coal and 
 leaned against the doorway, packing the to- 
 bacco firmly into his pipe with his fire-proof 
 little finger. 
 
 " Young man," he said gruffly, " I run this 
 engine for four years without taking water be- 
 tween here and Manchester, and I reckon I can 
 do it agin." Then he pulled her slowly out of 
 the roundhouse. 
 
 In the meantime, the operator had sent this 
 message to the train despatcher at Manches- 
 ter; — 
 
 Want right of way over everything. Pres. coming on 
 light engine. 
 
56 
 
 The S/iort Line War 
 
 1 
 
 To which the despatcher replied : -- 
 Run to Manchester extra regardless of all trains. 
 When the engine finally rolled into the station 
 Jim was pacing up and down ; he was as nearly 
 impatient ^s Jim Weeks could be. 
 
 " You'll have to move faster than that," he 
 said shortly, swinging himself up the steps. 
 
 Jawn glanced at him without reply, then 
 looked at his watch. It was twenty minutes 
 after ten. He laid his hand upon the throttle 
 and pulled. There was a gasp of steam, a 
 whirring and slipping of the drive wheels, and 
 the engine plunged forward. Jawn fingered 
 the lever with a lover's caress. He knew old 
 "eleven," every foot of her, every tube, bolt, 
 and strap. As they cleared the yards, he 
 threw her wider and wider open until she' was 
 lunging and lurching madly. The cinders beat 
 a tattoo upon the cab, and Jim Weeks crowded 
 up into the corner. The fireman, a strapping 
 young fellow, threw in great shovels of coal with 
 the regularity of a machine, pausing nly to 
 wipe his forehead with the back of his hand as 
 the heat grew intense. When he opened the 
 furnac door, Jim could see the glowing bed lift 
 and stir with the jolt of the en-^ine. 
 
Jim Weeks Closes In 
 
 57 
 
 •ains. 
 
 le station 
 as nearly 
 
 :hat," he 
 eps. 
 ly, then 
 
 minutes 
 I throttle 
 team, a 
 ids, and 
 fingered 
 new old 
 3e, bolt, 
 rds, he 
 she was 
 irs beat 
 :rowded 
 rapping 
 3al with 
 
 nly to 
 land as 
 led the 
 bed lift 
 
 Old Jawn, perched upon his high seat, never 
 shifted his eyes from the track ahead. His 
 face wore the usual scowl, but betrayed no 
 emotion. Perhaps his teeth gripped the pipe- 
 stem harder than usual, but then, it was a preg- 
 nant hour for Jawn. The feel of the old pet 
 under his hand made his heart jump, and 
 brought the hope that a successful run might 
 lead him back to his own. Jawn knew that he 
 deserved something better than a switch engine 
 in the division yards, he knew that he was the 
 best engineer on the road, but he had steeled 
 himself against hope. As they whirled past 
 the mile-posts his emotion grew. He felt that 
 the President was watching him closely, and he 
 coaxed the steel thing into terrific speed. The 
 cab grew hotter and hotter. Jim loosened his 
 grip on the seat long enough to unbutton his 
 collar and to twist his handkerchief around 
 his neck. The fireman was dripping, but Jawn 
 sat immovable as marble. They whirled past 
 little stations with a sudden roar. At Brushing- 
 ham a passenger train lay on the siding. There 
 was a mottled flash of yellow, then they were 
 by, and for an instant Jawn smiled. He hadn't 
 ^aaacQ ja<^k iviuiiin liKc tnac lOF yeaus. 
 
 • --*a-Hai3(r J 
 
58 
 
 The Short Li?te War 
 
 f 
 
 n 
 
 Then they struck the hills. Up with a snort, 
 over with a groan, and down with a rumble and 
 slide, they flew. Here Jawn's eyes shifted to 
 the water gauge. Jim locked one arm around 
 the window post, and sat with eyes fixed on 
 his watch. The minute hand crept around to 
 eleven, passed it, and on to five, ten, fifteen 
 twenty, twenty-five. At thirty-five clusters of 
 cottages began to shoot by. Jawn's arm began 
 to straighten - the roar diminished a trifle 
 Thirty-seven they passed rows of coal-laden flat 
 cars ; thirty-nine, they slackened through a tan- 
 gle of tracks ; forty-one, the big engine rolled 
 under the train shed and stopped in a cloud of 
 steam. 
 
 Jim stepped down and stretched himself. 
 The fireman had staggered back into the ten- 
 der, and lay in a heap, fanning himself with 
 his cap. Jawn took a final glance at the water 
 gauge, then he swung around and removed his 
 cold pipe. 
 
 " Mr. Weeks," he said gruffly, " I brung ye a 
 hundred and three mile in eighty-one minutes. 
 There ain't another man on the line could 'a' 
 done it. I reckon that's why there's nothing 
 for me but a switch engine." Without wait- 
 
1 a snort, 
 mble and 
 hifted to 
 
 1 around 
 fixed on 
 round to 
 
 , fifteen, 
 isters of 
 n began 
 a trifle, 
 iden flat 
 h a tan- 
 e rolled 
 :Ioud of 
 
 limself. 
 he ten- 
 If with 
 
 2 water 
 /ed his 
 
 Jim Weeks Closes In 59 
 
 ing for a reply he seized an oil-can and swung 
 out of the cab. Jim followed in silence, and 
 hurried away with a grim smile. 
 
 At two-thirty Jim was in his Chicago office. 
 For some time he was closeted with Myers, 
 treasurer of the road, then he closed his desk 
 and went out. He spent an hour with Spencer, 
 a capitalist and an M. & T. director. From 
 four to six he was locked in his office, going 
 through his various collateral securities. At 
 six he locked his office and went home with a 
 feeling of relief. The battle was on, and Jim 
 was ready. There would be a meeting at his 
 house that evening between Spencer, Myers, 
 and himself ; not a long meeting, but one pro- 
 ductive of results. 
 
 y 
 
 ig ye a 
 inutes. 
 uld 'a' 
 othing 
 '- wait- 
 
 -#] 
 
CHAPTER V 
 
 TUESDAY EVENING 
 
 Harvey West Jiked to be comfortable. His 
 rooms were in a quiet ap.;tme.,t house on the 
 West Side, within easy reucl, of the IVletropoli- 
 tan Elevated, and not far from tl;e big house 
 w.iere Jim Weelcs held bachelor sway. Harvey 
 _*as not a musician, but a good piano stood in 
 !-.-3 sitting room. He had accumulated a few 
 etchings and two bronzes; and on the centre 
 table were piled the latest books, Harvey read 
 these about as he listened to Grand Opera - 
 he recognized that a man should keep in touch 
 with such things. In a vague way he enjoyed 
 them, but he was too honest to cultivate the 
 ghb generalities that give so many men a rating 
 as connoisseurs of art, music, and literature 
 Harvey liked action. Business appealed to him, 
 anything with motion and excitement; then 
 after the fever of the day, he was drawn to J 
 few friends and a good cigar. But back behind 
 
 60 
 
Ttiesday Eveiihig 
 
 6i 
 
 le. His 
 ; on the 
 etropoli- 
 g house 
 Harvey 
 Jtood in 
 i a few 
 
 centre 
 ey read 
 pera — 
 \ touch 
 injoyed 
 ite the 
 
 rating 
 Tature. 
 to him, 
 
 then, 
 n to a 
 behind 
 
 his straightforward democratic temperament 
 there was a dash of good blood, the sifting down 
 of generations of gentlemen and gentlewomen, 
 that accounted for Harvey's inherent good 
 taste. He could not criticise the technique of a 
 picture, but he never selected a poor one. And 
 the few books he really liked were the kind one 
 can read once a year with profit. 
 
 Early on this Tuesday evening Harvey was 
 trying to read, but his eyes would wander and 
 his brow contract. At intervals he would turn 
 in his chair and endeavor to bring his thoughts 
 back to the book. Finally he shut it with a 
 bang and, walking to the window, stood looking 
 out over the city. It had been a hard day for 
 Harvey. He had passed hours waiting to learn 
 the result of Jim's efforts to head off McNally. 
 The news that C. & S. C. would undoubtedly 
 control the Tillman City stock at election had 
 been closely followed by the discovery of un- 
 expected strength in the opposition directors. 
 People used to say of Jim that he was never so 
 happy as when fighting in his last ditch, but 
 Harvey derived no pleasure from such opera- 
 tions. On this occasion he was particularly 
 troubled. He felt that his failure to tend to 
 
 mMumtmU'vi lHiM 
 
 itbi^i 
 
62 
 
 The Short Line War 
 
 n,' 
 
 business the preceding afternoon had contrib- 
 uted largely to the loss of Tillman City and 
 worn of all, what a fool Miss Porter must'think 
 
 The boulevard below was hedged with two 
 long rows of gas-lamps which converged far 
 away to the south. Sounds of the street floated 
 up to him- the clatter of hoofs on the asphalt 
 disjointed conversations from wheelmen, juve' 
 mle calls and whistles. Harvey looked down at 
 the strolling crowds on the sidewalk, and felt 
 onely. He turned away from the window, and 
 took a cigar from the hospitable box on the 
 njanteh Near the box was a kodak picture of 
 Miss Porter which he had taken some time 
 before. He held the picture to the light, and 
 gazed at it earnestly. "You had a fine laurh 
 over me yesterday, didn't you, when your father 
 told you all about it .' " 
 
 Harvey's big sitting room was popular. His 
 friends had the comfortable habit of dropnin.. 
 m at almost any hour of the day or night, sur^ 
 of a hearty welcome. But to-night the thought 
 of visitors caused him to replace the picture 
 suddenly, seize his hat and stick, and start out 
 for -somewhere. At first he entertained a 
 
Tuesday Evening 
 
 63 
 
 contrib- 
 ity; and, 
 ust think 
 
 vith two 
 'ged far 
 t floated 
 asphalt, 
 n, j live- 
 down at 
 md felt 
 3w, and 
 on the 
 :ture of 
 e time 
 ht, and 
 lauf;h 
 father 
 
 . His 
 
 )pping 
 t, sure 
 ought 
 icture 
 rt out 
 led a 
 
 dim notion of going to Lincoln Park, so he took 
 the elevated down town, and started north on 
 the Clark Street cable. But as the car jolted 
 along, he remembered that the band did not 
 play Tuesday evenings. He might take in the 
 electric fountain, but in the crowd you couldn't 
 go about and look at people without being in 
 other people's way. Harvey was fond of the 
 great public, but he liked to hold himself in 
 the background. He rode past the Park under 
 the long row of elms, gazing absently at the 
 thronging walk where the middle strata of 
 North Side humanity take their evening prome- 
 nade. Passing the Park, he decided to go on 
 to the Bismarck, where he could be among 
 people and yet remain alone. 
 
 A few minutes before eight he walked be- 
 tween the brown dragons which guard the 
 entrance, and crossed the raised pavilion be- 
 tween the street and the garden. At the head 
 of the stairs he paused a moment, then he 
 turned aside and seated himself at a table 
 near by, where he could lean against the rail- 
 ing and overlook the crowd below. 
 
 It was still somewhat early, and the long 
 rows of white tables stood vacant. By daylight 
 
 ill 
 
64 
 
 The Short Line War 
 
 'Jfti, 
 
 the trees in a summer garden wear a home- 
 sick look, but to-night the festooned incandes- 
 cc '-■:,■ spread a soft yellow light through 
 ^he (..hage, already thinned, though the night 
 was warm, by the touch of September ; while 
 high up on their white poles the big arcs threw 
 down a weird b|. ;.,re, casting a confusion of 
 half-opaque shadows upon the gravelled earth. 
 Far to the front was the stage with its half 
 dome ; the double-bass was tuning his instru- 
 ment, a few others were sorting music or run- 
 nmg over difficult passages. 
 
 By this time the crowd was pouring in and 
 spreading among the tables. Harvey leaned 
 back and watched the almost r...broken line 
 that moved from the gate to the steps. There 
 were a great many family groups, wIlL here 
 and there a chaperoned piirty from the suburbs. 
 A sound of scraping and squealing and grunt- 
 ing from the stage announced the orchestral 
 pi 'Jminpries. ^here vas a scattering fusillade 
 of applause as the tall conductor appeared. 
 Look;:),, through the tre. s Harvey could see 
 him rap his stand and raise both arms. The 
 concert was on. iarvcy's glance shifted back 
 to the stairw. '. ar 4 he starter^ On the Dottom 
 
a home- 
 incandes- 
 : through 
 the night 
 Jr; while 
 res threw 
 fusion of 
 id earth. 
 
 its half 
 s instru- 
 : or run- 
 
 ; in and 
 r leaned 
 ^en line 
 There 
 tii here 
 suburbs. 
 1 grunt- 
 chestral 
 usillade 
 peared. 
 uld see 
 5. The 
 d back 
 
 T. sday Evening 
 
 65 
 
 step, looking about for a vacant table, was Will- 
 iam C. Porter. Behind him, standing, with head 
 thrown back, was T'^iss Katherinc Porter. For 
 a moment she looked at the shifting scene be- 
 fore her. Harvey noted with hungry eye, the 
 poise of her figure. Then she turned delib- 
 erately, and bowed to Harvey with a bright 
 smile. 
 
 A little later, as Harvey sat alone listening 
 to the music, Mr. Porter appeared, picking; his 
 way toward iie centre aisle. Harvey watched 
 him idly. He finally reached the stairway, and 
 came straight to Harvey's table. 
 
 " Good evening, Mr. West," he said, holding 
 out his hand. " Won't you join us } We shall 
 be here for an hour, anyway." 
 
 Harvey rose, and looked across the diagonal 
 line of tables. Miss Porter was leaning forward 
 with a smile. Harvey's mind had beei made 
 I'D, but he changed it and followed Mr. Porter. 
 
 Katherine received him brightly and immedi- 
 ately put him at ease. For the time he forgot 
 that Mr. rorter and he were jmin"-! enemies. 
 Mr. Porter talked entertainingly oi the people 
 about ;.hem, a subject which Harvey could crui- 
 tinue With inte iigencej ar-d he was gratified tu 
 
 , 
 
 ,itj 
 
66 
 
 The Short Line War 
 
 note the interest in the daughter's eyes as he 
 
 commented on the oddities of human character 
 
 They xvere looking at a party of Germans,' 
 
 who sat listening to the music with the stohd 
 
 interest of the race, when Mr. Porter rose and 
 
 becKoned. Katherine nodded to some one 
 
 behind Harvey. A moment later he was shak- 
 
 ing hands with Mr. McNally. 
 
 " We've been watching for you for some 
 time, said Mr. Porter, as McNally took the 
 vacant chair. 
 
 " Have you .> " McNally smiled easily " I 
 wish you had said that, Miss Porter." 
 
 "Oh, Mr. McNally, you know I was hoping 
 for you." ^ ^ 
 
 _ Harvey's eyes betrayed him, for she added 
 in a bantering tone, 
 
 "We must say such things to Mr. McNally 
 Mr West; if we don't, he gets simply unbear-' 
 
 McNally looked at her with an amused ex- 
 pression. Evidently they understood each other 
 As the banter continued, Harvey began to feel 
 uncomfortable. He tried to listen to the or- 
 chestra, which was playing a lively march. 
 Good, isn't it? " said Miss Porter to Harvey 
 
Tuesday Evening 
 
 Bs as he 
 baracter. 
 Jernians, 
 le stohd 
 ose and 
 'ne one 
 LS shak- 
 
 r some 
 •ok the 
 
 y. "I 
 
 hoping 
 
 added 
 
 Nally, 
 nbear- 
 
 3d ex- 
 other. 
 3 feel 
 le or- 
 :h. 
 irvey. 
 
 ^7 
 
 
 " Splendid," he replied. 
 
 "Do you think so.?" observed Mr. McNally. 
 "Seems to me hunge's a little off to-night. 
 Too much drum. Queer motions, hasn't 
 he ? " 
 
 Herr Bunge's motions were queer. He was 
 very tall and spare, with an angular, smooth- 
 shaven face, and with a luxuriant growth of 
 hair that waved and flopped in the gentle 
 breeze. His long arms were principally elbow, 
 and they swayed and crooked and jerked as 
 though he were pulling the music down out of 
 the air. At times when he turned to the be- 
 lated second violins, his gaunt profile would 
 appear in silhouette against a glare of electric 
 light. 
 
 " Do you know," said McNally, fingering his 
 programme, - Bunge ought to stick to this kind 
 of stuff. Last week I heard him play some of 
 the Queen Mab music, and it was wilful slaugh- 
 ter. Poor old Berlioz would have sobbed alo'lid 
 if he had heard it." 
 
 Harvey felt awkward. He could not follow 
 McNally's comments, and it humiliated him 
 Miss Porter was quick to observe his silence, 
 and endeavored to draw him into the conversa' 
 
68 
 
 The Short Line War 
 
 ^.j. 
 
 
 tion, while Mr. McNally seemed determined to 
 hold the reins. There was some good-natured 
 fencing, then Mr. Porter rose. 
 
 " You'll excuse us, Mr. West," he said pleas- 
 antly. " We have an engagement for the latter 
 part of the evening." 
 
 "Yes," added his daughter, "we promised to 
 go out to Edgewater — the Saddle and Cycle, 
 you know." 
 
 Harvey bowed and stood immovable, as 
 father, daughter, and Mr. McNally left the 
 garden. She had given him a quick glance, 
 and he wondered what it meant. He sat down 
 and absently broke the straws in his glass. The 
 orchestra had stopped, and a buzz of conversa- 
 tion floated into the foliage. White-clad waiters 
 bustled about with trays piled high. 
 
 After another number he started for home, 
 blue and angry. As he left the elevated and 
 walked down Ashland Avenue, he saw that 
 Jim's house was lighted up, and he crossed 
 over. Jim and he were better friends than 
 their relative positions indicated. Neither had 
 family ties, and Jim's interest in the younger 
 man was perhaps the nearest approach to senti- 
 ment he had felt for years, He seldom o-enl" 
 
 \ 
 
Tuesday Evening gg 
 
 showed his regard, but Harvey was perfectly 
 conscious of it, and he valued it highly. 
 
 Jim was sitting alone at the table in the 
 library. He greeted Harvey by tipping back 
 and waving toward a seat. The table was 
 littered with papers. 
 
 "How are you.?" said Jim. "We've stolen 
 a march on you." 
 
 Harvey smiled, and threw himself wearily 
 into a chair at the other end of the table. 
 
 "What is it.?" he asked. *«C. & S. C. 
 again } " 
 
 Jim nodded, and drawing out his cigar case, 
 he took one and tossed the case down to Har- 
 vey, then said : — 
 
 "Yes, and I think we've got 'em down. 
 We've issued some more stock." He leaned 
 on the table and spoke in a confidential tone. 
 "And I reckon Porter'll be doing a hornpipe 
 when he finds it out." 
 
 "Who took it.? " asked Harvey. 
 
 " Spencer, Myers, and I. The books haven't 
 been closed, you know." 
 
 Harvey blew out a thin cloud of smoke, and 
 looked at it meditatively. 
 "Nine thousand shares," continued Jim. "If 
 
70 
 
 The Short Line War 
 
 m 
 
 there's anything he can do now, he's welcome 
 to try." 
 
 ** Do you think he will try ? " 
 
 " Oh, yes, he'll come at us with something or 
 other. But he can't do a thing." 
 
 There was a long silence, then Harvey said, — 
 
 " You didn't pay cash for the stock } " 
 
 "Ten per cent," Jim replied. 
 
 Harvey fingered his cigar. Every new move 
 of Jim's bewildered him. Jim's imperturbability, 
 and his eagerness for a fight where some men 
 would be discouraged, were qualities that Har- 
 vey was slow in acquiring. His admiration for 
 Jim amounted almost to reverence. Perhaps 
 had he realized the bitter fighting that was yet 
 to come, if he could have foreseen the part that 
 he was to play with zeal and judgment, he 
 would have been even more bewildered, but 
 Harvey was plucky enough ; it needed only the 
 right circumstances to develop him. 
 
 " If he does fight," said Jim, breaking the 
 silence, "if he succeeds in landing on us, why, 
 then, look out for war. I'll put my last cent 
 into M. & T. before I'll give him a chance at 
 it." 
 
 " Is he likelv to 2-rab the road ? " 
 
 
Tuesday Evening 
 
 71 
 
 " Maybe he'll try. But I'll have five hundred 
 men with guns in his way. I'll tell you, West, 
 I'm not going to give in. I never have yet." 
 
 "No," said Harvey, thoughtfully, "I don't 
 believe you have." And he added, "I saw 
 Porter to-night." 
 
 '• Where } " 
 
 "Up at the Bismarck. McNally was with 
 him." 
 
 "Anybody else.?" 
 
 "His daughter," 
 
 " Pretty girl, I hear." 
 
 "Yes,"— -Harvey spoke slowly, — "she is. 
 A very pretty girl. Her father seems to be a 
 gentleman." 
 
 "Oh, Porter's all right. He's doing what 
 'most any man in his place would do. It's 
 business. There's nothing personal in it." 
 
 "I suppose not," Harvey replied. "It's still 
 a little odd to me. I'm afraid I'd want to break 
 his head." 
 
 Jim laughed. 
 
 " You'll get over that. I reckon you haven't 
 got anything against his daughter." 
 
 "Perhaps not," said Harvey; "but that's 
 different" 
 
72 
 
 The Short Line War 
 
 " Oh, is it ? " 
 
 Harvey sat for a moment without reply, then 
 he tossed his half -smoked cigar into the ash- 
 ir ly and rose. 
 
 " Don't go, West. I shall be up for a long 
 while." 
 
 " I'm tired," Harvey replied. " I need sleep. 
 Good night." 
 
 Harvey walked home slowly. Once in his 
 room, he did not light up ; instead he drew an 
 easy-chair to the window and stretched out 
 where he could feel the breeze. It had been 
 a strange evening. He went back over the 
 conversation in the Bismarck. Katherine had 
 seemed even prettier than usual ; but before 
 every picture of her rose the calm, smiling 
 face of McNally — McNally with his pudgy 
 hands and his cool blue eyes, his ease and his 
 well-placed comment. Harvey rested an elbow 
 on the sill and looked out the window. The 
 crowds were gone now. No sound came save 
 the rustle of the leaves and the occasional 
 rumble of the elevated trains. The moon was 
 clouded, but over the trees the stars were out, 
 as clear and soft as on other evenings that had 
 not seemed so dreary. He turned away and 
 
 Mi' 
 
Tuesday Evening 73 
 
 walked over to the mantel, where Katherine's 
 picture leaned against the wall. He found it 
 without striking a light, and brought it to W 
 window. By the dim light from the street ai. 
 the sky, he could see her face in faint outline. 
 
 "Well, Miss Katherine," he said, looking into 
 the shadowy eyes, "I guess Jim Weeks isn't the 
 only fighter here." 
 
> J'- 
 
 III 
 
 CHAPTER VI 
 
 I 
 
 JUDGE BLACK 
 
 There are two kinds of business men : those 
 who make their business at once work and play, 
 a means of acquiring wealth and a most excit- 
 ing game whose charms make all other games 
 seem flat and unprofitable; and another class 
 who, though they may enjoy work, turn for 
 recreation to whist or philanthropy or golf. 
 Porter belonged to the latter class. He went 
 into the fight against Jim Weeks simply because 
 he hoped it would make him richer, and it did 
 not occur to him that he could enjoy the action. 
 On Wednesday morning he sat in his office 
 wondering if he could not get away to the 
 Truesdale golf links for a match that afternoon. 
 
 He looked over the ground carefully, and 
 could see no way by which Weeks could save 
 himself from defeat, for the control of Tillman 
 City gave C. & S. C. a majority of the stock. 
 Weeks's allies were deserting him, so that he 
 
 74 
 
Judge Black -j 
 
 now had a bare majority in the Board of Di- 
 rectors. Anyway, McNally would be on the 
 ground in case Jim should try to do anything. 
 •Well,' thought Porter, "I'll go, I guess 
 Its safe enough." He had closed his desk 
 when the door opened and an office boy came 
 in with a telegram. Forter tore it open list- 
 lessly, but his indolence vanished as he read 
 the first line. The message was from Man- 
 Chester, and it read as follows : — 
 
 tholnt \ '"'^^"'P"™ '»<"< ^'"b^ ^how issue of nine 
 thousand shares new stock to Weeks, Myers, and Spencer, 
 
 ten per cent paid, dated yesterday. ' 
 
 Powers. 
 
 When a man finds himself in an ambush, or 
 when an utterly unexpected attack is made 
 upon him, he shows what he is. It was char- 
 acteristic of Porter that after the moment of 
 dazed unrealization had passed he began almost 
 mechanically to plan a break for cover- he 
 Wished that he had not gone into the fight,' and 
 berated his stupidity in not foreseeing the 
 move; it had not occurred to him that the sub- 
 scription for the stock had not closed long 
 ago. Aff-or o f^,.. — •„ . ^ ° 
 
 s- /A..^. „ ,^,-, Hiiiiuces 01 vain search for 
 
1^ 
 
 The Short Line War 
 
 y\ 
 
 an avenue of retreat, he saw that it was too 
 
 late to do anything but fight it out; Jim 
 
 Weeks was not likely to let an antagonist off 
 easily. 
 
 He called to his secretary: "Telephone 
 Shields to come over here, will you, as soon as 
 he can? And ask McNally to come too." 
 While he was waiting for them he sat quite 
 still in his big chair and thought hard, but he 
 could see no way of countering the blow. 
 
 The two men he had sent for came into the 
 office together. Porter did not rise. With a 
 nod of greeting he handed the yellow envelope 
 to McNally, who whistled softly as he caught 
 its import, and passed it on to Shields, an attor- 
 ney for the C. & S. C, an emotionless, non- 
 committal man. 
 
 "Hm— it looks as though that beat you," 
 he said slowly. 
 
 Porter lost his nerve and his temper too for 
 a moment. He rose quickly and took a step 
 toward the lawyer. 
 
 "Hell, man!" he exclaimed angrily. "We 
 can't be beat. We've got to get out of this 
 some way. That's what you're here for." 
 Then he recovered himself. " I beg vour par- 
 
Judge Black 
 
 77 
 
 was too 
 Lit ; Jim 
 Dnist off 
 
 ;lephone 
 soon as 
 le too." 
 at quite 
 , but he 
 
 into the 
 With a 
 nvelope 
 caught 
 n attor- 
 58, non- 
 
 t you," 
 
 too for 
 a step 
 
 , "We 
 
 of this 
 z for." 
 ur oar- 
 
 don, Shields. Sit down, and we'll talk this 
 business over." 
 
 For ncjc'y an hour the three men sat in 
 earnest consultation; then the secretary was 
 called in. 
 
 " Find out if Judge Black is in Truesdale," 
 said Porter. " If he is. I want to talk to him." 
 Then he turned to Shields. 
 
 "That's our move," he said. "We can al- 
 lege fraud on the ground that the stock was 
 issued secretly and with the purpose of influ- 
 encing the election. Black's the man for that 
 business." 
 
 "It isn't much of a case, mind you," said 
 Shields. " I'm afraid that Weeks's action is not 
 illegal, and that a court would sustain it, but it's 
 possible to raise a question that it will take time 
 to decide." 
 
 " That's all we need," said Porter, with a sigh 
 of relief. " If we raise the question. Black will 
 do the rest." 
 
 It was several minutes before the secretary 
 
 came back from the telephone. 
 
 " Well, did you get him .? " asked Porter. 
 
 "No," said the secretary; "he isn't in 
 14 . . 
 
 
78 
 
 The Short Line War 
 
 K i 
 
 31 \ 
 * I.I ! 
 
 !«■ 
 
 
 "Where is he?" 
 
 "1 couldn't ^nd out. His stenographer 
 wouldn't tell me." 
 
 '• Wouldn't tell you, eh ? " said Porter. " Just 
 get Truesdale again ; I'll talk with that young 
 man myself." 
 
 When he began talking his voice was mild 
 and persuasive, and Shields ai.d McNally lis- 
 tened expectantly. As the minutes went by and 
 he did not get the information he wanted, it 
 became evident that the cocksure young man at 
 the other end of the line was rasping thrr igh 
 what was left of Porter's patience as an emery 
 wheel does through soft iron. As might be 
 expected, the process was accompanied with 
 a shower of sparks. Porter's voice rose and 
 swelled in volume until at last he shouted, "You 
 don't care who I am ? Why, you damned little 
 fool — " and then he stopped, for a sharp click 
 told him that he was cut off, even from the cen- 
 tral office, and he was not angry enough to go 
 on swearing at an unresponsive telephone. 
 
 For a moment he stood biting his lip in 
 a nervous effort to control himself, then he 
 joined feebly in the laughter the other two men 
 had raised against him. A moment later he 
 
 p; 
 
ographer 
 
 . " Just 
 it young 
 
 vas mild 
 J ally lis- 
 t by and 
 anted, it 
 ; man at 
 thrr 
 
 igh 
 
 n emery 
 light be 
 ed with 
 ose and 
 d, "You 
 ed little 
 rp click 
 the cen- 
 jh to go 
 le. 
 
 lip in 
 hen he 
 wo men 
 ater he 
 
 pulled out his watch, and ^ rning to McNally 
 aid: — 
 
 "Keep your eye on Weeks, will you? I'm 
 going to Truesdale on the eleven-thirty to find 
 Black. Good-by." 
 
 Katherine was not surprised when twenty 
 minutes later her father appeared and told her 
 his plans. That was t -ain she had expected 
 they would take. 
 
 "I'm going along too," she said. ''You're 
 going to play golf this afternoon, aren't you ? " 
 
 "No," replied her father, shortly, "I'm not 
 going to play golf. I'm going to play some- 
 thing else." 
 
 The five-hour ride to Truesdale was for the 
 most part a silent one. Katherine knew that 
 her father was worried about something, and 
 when he was worried he never liked to talk, so 
 she asked no questions and made no attempt to 
 draw him away from what troubled him. Only 
 when they reached Truesdale and her father 
 was about to help her into the cart that stood 
 waiting she st-pped long enough to kiss him 
 and say : — 
 
 "Don't bother too much about it, dad. And 
 on't plan any business for this evening- I 
 
 
r 
 
MICROCOPY RESOLUTION TEST CHART 
 
 {ANSI and ISO TEST CHART No. 2) 
 
 1^ 
 
 ■ so 
 
 12.8 
 
 3.2 
 
 3.6 
 
 1 4.0 
 
 \22 
 
 1.8 
 
 ^ x^PPLIED IIVHGE 
 
 Inc 
 
 1653 East Main Street 
 
 Rochester, New York 14609 USA 
 
 (716) 482 - 0300 - Phan.» 
 
 (716) 288- 5989 - Fax 
 
h I 
 
 80 
 
 The Short Line War 
 
 M 
 
 ^i 
 
 want you to take me out on the river." As she 
 turned the cart around and started up the broad 
 smooth street toward home she frowned, and 
 thought, " I wish he would tell me more about 
 things. I believe I could help." 
 
 Porter went straight to Judge Black's to con- 
 tinue his conversation with the stenographer, 
 but it needed no more than a glance to convince 
 him of the futility of trying to get any informa- 
 tion from that source. 
 
 The new stenographer was a boyish-looking 
 person who tried to convince one that he was 
 much older than his appearance would indicate. 
 He had big feet and a high voice ; he used only 
 the bottom notes for conversational purposes 
 save when in unwary moments Nature would as- 
 sert herself in a hoarse falsetto. He patronized 
 Mr. Porter. He said that the Judge had left 
 town the week before, and that he would proba- 
 bly be back in about ten days. He would send 
 him no messages whatever, from anybody : those 
 were Judge Black's orders. 
 
 The young man seemed willing to go on talk- 
 ing at great length, and he doubtless would 
 have done so had not Porter suddenly left the 
 
 viuc-iicoiuciit naa tnougnt ot 
 
 'il ,i 
 
 «*^". 
 
Judge Black 
 
 8i 
 
 As she 
 le broad 
 led, and 
 ■e about 
 
 to con- 
 jrapher, 
 onvince 
 nforma- 
 
 ■looking 
 he was 
 ndicate. 
 ed inly 
 urposes 
 ould as- 
 ronized 
 lad left 
 1 proba- 
 Id send 
 : those 
 
 )n talk- 
 would 
 eft the 
 It of a 
 
 possible clew. He walked rapidly to the rail- 
 road ticket office and spoke to the agent. 
 
 "Did Judge Black leave town a few days 
 ago } " he asked. 
 
 "Yes, sir," answered the agent. "I don't 
 remember just what day, but he went up on 
 twenty-two." 
 
 " Oh, he went east then. Do you remember 
 where } " 
 
 " His ticket read to Chicago." 
 
 Porter walked away thoroughly disappointed. 
 The chance had looked like a good one and 
 there seemed to be no othei. But he must in 
 some way find the Judge ; he could not wait for 
 him. The first thing he did was to call up 
 McNally by telephone and repeat to him what 
 the agent had said. He told McNally to find 
 out at what hotel the Judge had stayed, if at 
 any, and to look for anything which might prove 
 a clew to his whereabouts. " It's a wild-goose 
 chase, I know," he concluded; "but then you 
 may manage to turn up something." He 
 knew that McNally would do everything that 
 could be done in Chicago toward finding the 
 missing Judge, so he went to work along other 
 lines. 
 
If 
 
 m, 
 
 u 
 
 82 
 
 77ie Short Line War 
 
 Judge Black was a member of two fishing 
 clubs, one at Les Chenaux Islands, near Macki- 
 nac, and the other about forty miles north of 
 Minneapolis, so Porter sent long and urgent 
 telegrams to both these places. Then he began 
 making long shots, working through a list of 
 more or less likely places, which his knowledge 
 of Black's tastes and habits enabled him to o-.^t 
 togetlier. Just before dinner a message came 
 from McNally : — 
 
 Black at Sherman House Friday. Cierk says he took 
 three-thirty train on Northwestc n for Lake Geneva. Can 
 run him down in morning. 
 
 Thursday morning the two little telegraph 
 boys at Lake Geneva and the one at William's 
 Bay had a busy time of it, for Porter and Mc- 
 Nally between them kept the wires hot; but 
 neither hide nor hi ^f Judge Alonzo Black 
 could they discover. From ten o'clork on 
 through an inte^-minable day the messages kept 
 coming back, 'not delivered.' At half-past 
 four Porter telephoned his lieutenant to go to 
 the lake and continue the search in person. 
 
 At seven Katherine and her father sat down 
 to dinner. She had known all day that some- 
 
fishing 
 • Macki- 
 lorth of 
 
 urgent 
 e began 
 L list of 
 )wledge 
 n to got 
 e came 
 
 he took 
 va. Can 
 
 egraph 
 illiam's 
 id Mc- 
 t; but 
 
 Black 
 )<"k on 
 :s kept 
 ilf-past 
 
 go to 
 n. 
 t down 
 
 some- 
 
 Judgc Black 
 
 ^l 
 
 thing was going wrong with her father's affairs, 
 and she could read in his silent preoccupied 
 manner that he had not yet been able to see 
 a way out of the difficulty. She knew that she 
 could not make him forget his troubles. Many 
 vain attempts had taught her that, so she waited. 
 The long dinner wore on Porter's nerves ; once 
 he rose suddenly and walked toward his library, 
 but stopped short when he reached the door 
 and came back to the table. Then he drummed 
 on the arm of his chair. 
 
 "Two days more of this," he said, with a 
 nervous laugh, " and that man Black will have 
 my life to a; swer for." 
 
 "Judge Black.?" asked Katherine. "What 
 has he done } " 
 
 "Done.? He's disappeared off the face of 
 the earth just at this particular moment when 
 I've got to have him here." 
 
 "Why," cried Katherine, "I know where he 
 is. He's at the Grand View Hotel — "she 
 paused and leaned forward, her elbows on the 
 table and her hands clasped before her. " It's 
 some place up in Wisconsin that sounds like 
 alpaca. Waupaca — that's it. Grand View 
 Hotel, Waupaca, Wisconsin." 
 
If 
 
 il: 
 
 1331 f " 
 
 r. I 
 
 I, 
 
 84 
 
 TAe Short Line War 
 
 "Are you sure that's right?" he asked. 
 " How do you know ? " 
 
 " Mr. West told me," she answered. " There 
 was such a good joke on him in the paper. I 
 meant to tell you about it." 
 
 But Porter was smiling over something else. 
 After a moment he said : — 
 
 " We'd have been swamped long ago in this 
 
 M. & T. business if it hadn't been for the kind 
 
 services of that wise and valuable young man, 
 
 West. I think I'll pay him a regular salary 
 
 after this to keep him on the other side in all 
 
 the fights I get into. Lord, what a fool he is ! " 
 
 He left the room so abruptly that he did not 
 
 see how Katherine's cheeks reddened, nor how 
 
 her lips pressed together in vexation. If he 
 
 had he would not have known the reason for it 
 
 any more than Katherine did. 
 
 Rainbow Lake is pretty in the daytime, 
 but it is beautiful under the moonlight when 
 you can stretch out distances and imagine that 
 the lights at Bagley's Landing are those of a 
 city twenty miles away, and when the solid pine 
 groves on Maple and Government islands loom 
 up big and black. The Judge was enjoying his 
 
 
 W\{ 
 
Jtidge Black 
 
 85 
 
 else. 
 
 vacation the better for its lateness. He had 
 bolted his supper early enough to secure his 
 favorite chair in the best part of the piazza : a 
 mandolin orchestra wa= playing a waltz from 
 "The Serenade," and playing it well, the 
 Judge thought. He threw away the match 
 with which he had lighted his third cigar — to 
 keep off the mosquitoes, he blandly told his 
 conscience -- and leaned back in the Morris 
 chair, thinking how congruously comfortable it 
 all was, now that he had his own clothes and 
 the 'bus man could work without soiling his 
 other suit. 
 
 A clerk came out of the office, peered about 
 in the half light for a moment, and approached 
 the Judge, touching him on the shoulder. 
 
 "Judge Black," he said, "Truesdale wants 
 to talk to you on the 'phone." 
 
 Five minutes later the legal luminary came 
 out of the telephone box. He was swearing 
 earnestly, but softly, out of deference to the 
 candy-and-cigar girl. He walked slowly across 
 the office. 
 
 "There's a train for Chicago at 8.30, isn't 
 there.?" he asked. 
 
 "Yes," said the clerk. "Do you want to 
 take it.?" 
 
S6 
 
 The Short Line War 
 
 i .. 
 
 It', 
 
 There was another pianissimo interlude, at 
 the end of which the clerk was given to under- 
 stand that he should order the 'bus for that 
 train. Then the Judge went back for his chair, 
 but it was occupied by a little girl who was just 
 too old to be asked to sit somewhere else. 
 
 As Jim Weeks had said, Thompson wouldn't 
 fight, and Porter realized this quite as well as 
 Jim. The recalcitrant Vice-President played no 
 part in Porter's calculations except as a some- 
 what blundering and obstinate tool. But on 
 Friday morning Thompson's office boy an- 
 nounced Mr. Porter. Porter stated his case 
 clearly. It was his plan to remove Weeks 
 and Myers by judicial order from the Board of 
 Directors. That would leave the opposition a 
 majority of the board. Then Thompson was 
 to call a meeting and assume control of the 
 books. That done, the battle would be decided, 
 and the election a mere formality. Thompson 
 was badly rattled, for he hadn't a grain of sand 
 in his composition, but in the end he conquered 
 his fears and agreed to play the part Porter 
 assigned to him. 
 
 At half-past two a disjointed-looking train 
 ..,1^ ^ii^ riariioon oticcL oiaiion, and 
 
 |Ji:: 
 
Judge Black 
 
 87 
 
 Judge Black climbed disconsolately out of the 
 smoker. There was a coating of cinders on the 
 top of his derby hat; there were drifts of 
 cinders in the curl of the brim; there were 
 streaks of cinders along the lines where his coat 
 wrinkled ; and there was one cinder in his left 
 eye which gave him so leery and bibulous an 
 aspect that an old lady who narrowly escaped 
 colliding with him turned and looked after him 
 in indignation, being half minded to go back 
 and plead with him to lead a better life. 
 
 It was fifteen minutes later when the Judge 
 reached Porter's office, but before three o'clock 
 he had signed an order enjoining James Weeks 
 and Johnson Myers from acting as directors of, 
 or from interfering in any way with, the affairs 
 of the corporation known as the Manchester & 
 Truesdale Railroad Company, and from voting 
 the nine thousand shares of stock in that com- 
 pany which had been is. .:d September 25th. 
 
ii 
 
 CHAPTER VII 
 
 BETWEEN THE LINES 
 
 f.r 
 
 mil 
 
 On Friday afternoon Harvey closed his desk 
 with a feeling of relief. There had been plenty 
 of work for the past few days, and Harvey's 
 thoughts had acquired such wandering habits 
 that his work seemed harder than usual. He 
 had not seen Katherine since Tuesday evening, 
 but another note, dated Thursday evening, was 
 in his coat pocket. He read it again : — 
 
 My dear Mr. West: As you have inferred from the 
 postmark I am back at Truesdale ; we returned Wednes- 
 day. I have about despaired of seeing you here, at least 
 of your own free will, so I have decided to kidnap you. 
 Will you coine to a coaching party Saturday afternoon — 
 or rather a brake party? We shall start from our house, 
 weather permitting, at four o'clock, and drive out to Oak- 
 wood, returning by moonlight. Please don't let any stu- 
 pid business interfere with your coming down and having 
 a jolly time. 
 
 Cordially, 
 
 Katkerine Porter. 
 
 88 
 
Bctzvccft the Lines 
 
 89 
 
 Harvey slowly folded the note and replaced 
 it in his pocket. Then he spoke to Jim. 
 
 •' Mr. Weeks, will you need me to-morrow > " 
 
 Jim looked up pleasantly. Since the recent 
 issue of M. & T. stock, Jim's eyes had smiled 
 almost continuously. 
 
 " Guess not," he replied. " Going away ? " 
 
 "Just over Sunday." 
 
 " You aren't going anywhere near Truesdale, 
 are you } " 
 
 " Why, yes." 
 
 Jim whirled around to his desk and rum- 
 maged through some pigeonholes. 
 
 " I want to get word to a man down there," 
 he said, — "some fellow that Fox talks about, 
 who has a good team to sell. I thought I had 
 his card. Well, never mind, I'll call up Fox in 
 the morning and get his name and address. 
 Then if you have time" — Jim smiled — •* you 
 might talk with him and see what they are. 
 Don't commit yourself; just size things up." 
 
 Harvey bowed. 
 
 '* I don't believe you need come around in the 
 morning. I'll call you up or wire you. But don't 
 lose any dinners on account of it." 
 
 The next morning Harvey went to Truesdale. 
 
HI 
 
 90 
 
 TAe Short Line War 
 
 m 
 
 I ! 
 
 
 The Oakwood Club House stands on a knoll 
 some eight miles up the river from Truesdale. 
 Giant elms shade the wide veranda, while 
 others droop over the white macadam drive 
 that swings steeply down to the bridge and 
 vanishes in a grove of oak, hickory, and birch. 
 If you stand on the steps and look west, you 
 can see, through the immediate foliage, the 
 Maiden County hills, their blue tops contrast- 
 ing with the nearer green of the valley. To 
 the left, an obtruding wing checks the view; 
 on the right, leading straight down to the river, 
 is a well-worn path. 
 
 After dinner the party strolled up and down 
 the veranda, gradually separating into couples. 
 The twilight creeping down found Harvey and 
 Miss Porter alone by the railing. She stood 
 erect, looking out over the valley, her scarlet 
 golf jacket thrown back, her hair disordered 
 by the long ride and curling about her face. 
 Harvey watched her in silenct. He was glad 
 that she was tall; he liked to meet her eyes 
 without looking down. He had often tried to 
 remember the color of those eyes. Presently 
 she turned and looked at him. 
 
 " They're gray," he said, half to himself. 
 
Bctivcen the Lines 
 
 91 
 
 jn a knoll 
 fruesdale. 
 da, while 
 am drive 
 idge and 
 nd birch, 
 kvest, you 
 iage, the 
 contrast- 
 lley. To 
 he view; 
 the river, 
 
 nd down 
 couples, 
 rvey and 
 le stood 
 r scarlet 
 Bordered 
 ler face, 
 was glad 
 her eyes 
 tried to 
 Vesently 
 
 ;elf. 
 
 "No," she replied; "sometimes they are 
 
 brown and sometimes green. They are not 
 „ »i •' 
 
 gray 
 
 Harvey leaned forward. 
 
 " I'm sure they are." 
 
 For a moment they stood looking into each 
 other's eyes, then she turned away' with a little 
 laugh and removed her sailor hat, swinging it 
 from her hand. 
 
 " Look, " she said, with an impulsive gesture 
 toward the west. Harvey folloAvod her gaze. 
 The dark was settling into the valley. There 
 were splotches of foliage and waves of meadow, 
 with a few winding strips of silver where the 
 river broke away from the trees. "And to 
 think that we have only a few more such days." 
 
 "Yes," — he spoke softly, — "we don't see 
 things like that in Chicago." 
 
 "Why don't you come to Truesdale.?" 
 
 "So long as Mr. Weeks stays in Chicago, I 
 am likely to be there too." 
 
 "You are fond of Mr. Weeks.?" 
 
 " Yes, I am." 
 
 "I never met him — I've heard a great deal 
 about him." She sac upon the railing and 
 leaned back against a pillar, her eyes turned to 
 
 ^1 
 III 
 
92 
 
 The Short Line War 
 
 V I 
 
 i^f: i 
 
 14 l-^' 
 
 i , 
 
 M 
 
 M: 
 
 \> J 
 
 the foliage. "Father says he is a good busi- 
 ness man." 
 
 "He is." 
 
 "Mr. West," she threw her head back with a 
 peremptory toss — "I want you to tell me 
 something." 
 
 "Wait," he replied, "come to the river. 
 Then I'll tell you anything." 
 
 She smiled, but acquiesced, and they went 
 down the path. Harvey drew up a cedar boat 
 and extended his hand, but she stepped lightly 
 aboard without his aid. Harvey pushed away 
 from the bank and began slowly to paddle 
 against the current. 
 
 "Now," he said, "the Sister Confessor may 
 proceed." 
 
 She looked up at him. He thought she was 
 smiling, but she spoke earnestly. 
 
 " 1 want you to tell me about this M. & T 
 fight." 
 
 "I don't believe there is anything to tell." 
 
 "You think I am not interested." 
 
 "No — not that." 
 
 "You men are all alike. You think a girl 
 can't understand business." She seemed to be 
 musing. •• You like a girl who is helpless and 
 fluttery, who can be patronized." 
 
 i^. 
 
i 
 
 Bettveen the Lines 
 
 93 
 
 ^ood busi- 
 
 ick with a 
 ► tell me 
 
 the river. 
 
 :hey went 
 edar boat 
 ed lightly 
 hed away 
 :o paddle 
 
 ;ssor may 
 
 ; she was 
 
 M. & T. 
 
 tell." 
 
 nk a girl 
 ned to be 
 pless and 
 
 *' No," said Harvey, " not that either." 
 
 " I wish you would tell me." 
 
 " How much do you know > " 
 
 Before replying she looked out over the water 
 for several moments. Harvey rested his oars 
 and waited. She turned to him, still musing. 
 
 " I'll be frank," she said. " I am not going to 
 say how much I know, but I want you to tell me 
 all about it." 
 
 Harvey begax; to row. 
 
 " Of course," she went on, " I have heard 
 father^ ^ friends talking." 
 
 Harvey smiled. 
 
 "You puzzle me," he remarked. 
 
 " Why should any one wish to get control of 
 your road ? " 
 
 " Because there is coal on the line." 
 
 " Is Mr. Weeks firmly in control ? " 
 
 Harvey leaned over the oars. 
 
 "I wish I knew — "he hesitated. "Are we 
 good friends ? " 
 
 " I can speak for myself." 
 
 " Why are you interested in this business } " 
 
 "Because — well, I will tell you the truth. 
 Of course I know that father and Mr. Weeks 
 are — I suppose you would call it fighting. 
 
1 
 
 M 
 
 M 
 
 i 
 
 t 
 
 'f 
 
 '• 
 
 
 fl 
 
 ' 1 
 
 
 Vf 
 
 ■ i 
 
 li 
 
 T'l' 
 
 i 
 
 
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 ■ r 
 
 
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 i 
 
 ! 
 
 1 
 
 h i 
 
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 Pl 
 
 I: 
 
 F.I 'f. 
 
 p. J, 
 
 
 94 
 
 T/ie Short Line War 
 
 .•I 
 
 Father doesn't understand how I could ask you 
 down to-day." 
 
 " I am glad you did." 
 
 " I wanted you to feel that — you see we have 
 been good friends, and it would be too bad to 
 let a thing like this — don't you understand } " 
 
 Harvey leaned forward and impulsively ex- 
 tended his hand. She drew back. 
 
 ** Just shake hands," said Harvey, He clasped 
 hers firmly, releasing it with a quiet " Thank you." 
 
 They were drifting down stream under the 
 trees with no sound save a faint rustle from over- 
 head. Strands of moonlight sifted through the 
 foliage, blurring the east bank into shadow. 
 
 "Do you know what I am thinking of.?" 
 Harvey asked in a low tone. She smiled faintly 
 and shook her head. They swung into a patch 
 of moonlight, and for a moment their eyes met; 
 then she looked away and said, — 
 
 " We must go back." 
 
 " It isn't late," Harvey remonstrated. 
 
 "We must go back." 
 
 Harvey obediently took up the oars, then hesi- 
 tated. 
 
 " Please don't stay here," she said. 
 
 They went up the path in silence. The brake 
 
 H 
 
 M 
 
Between the Lines 
 
 95 
 
 iask 
 
 you 
 
 J we have 
 )o bad to 
 itand ? " 
 jively ex- 
 
 e clasped 
 mkyou." 
 nder the 
 rom over- 
 ough the 
 dow. 
 
 ng of?" 
 :d faintly 
 ) a patch 
 yes met; 
 
 den hesi- 
 
 he brake 
 
 I 
 
 stood at the steps, and the other members of 
 the party were laughing and talking on the 
 veranda. Harvey stopped before they left the 
 shadow. Miss Porter walked a few steps, then 
 turned and faced him. 
 
 "What is the matter.?" he asked. "Can't 
 you trust me .? Are you afraid of me } " 
 
 She came forward and laid her hand upon 
 his arm. 
 
 "Don't misunderstand me," she said with 
 hesitation. " If I were as sure of myself as I 
 am of you — Come, they are watching us." 
 
 An hour later they stood at Mr. Porter's door. 
 
 " Good night," said Harvey, but she lingered. 
 
 " Shall I see you to-morrow } " 
 
 " Do you think I had better come } " 
 
 " Why not .? " 
 
 " Perhaps your father — " 
 
 " I want you to. Anyway," smiling, " father 
 is in Chicago." 
 
 Harvey smiled too. 
 
 " I'll send the trap for you, and we'll drive — 
 at ten, say. I suppose you are at the hotel." 
 
 " Yes," said Harvey. " Good night." 
 
 Mr. Porter's summer home was located on 
 the river bank, something less than a mile from 
 
ii! 
 
 96 
 
 The Short Line War 
 
 : 1. 
 
 ■ »«' 
 
 the Truesdale Hotel. The walk was somewhat 
 lonely, and it gave Harvey time to think. At 
 first he was bewildered. She had seemed to 
 be mistress of the situation, but at any rate he 
 had told her nothing about M. & T. affairs. 
 There came into his mind a suspicion that she 
 knew more than she had led him to believe, for 
 she would naturally not let a man who had no 
 claim upon her sway her loyalty to her father. 
 And yet, those eyes were honest. They had 
 looked into his with an expression that would 
 charm away graver doubts than his. "I'll 
 make her tell me," he thought. " I'll find out 
 to-morrow just what she means, and if — " In 
 spite of himself, Harvey's heart beat fast at 
 thought of the possibilities which lay behind 
 that "if." From doubt, he drifted back into a 
 review of the evening. He called up pictures of 
 her on the brake, on the boat, or on the shaded 
 path. When he reached the hotel he sat down 
 on the veranda and lighted a cigar. "Yes," he 
 repeated to himself, " I'll make her tell me." 
 But in the morning, after a more or less steady 
 sleep, Harvey looked out at the calm sunlight 
 and changed his mind. " I'll wait," he thought, 
 "and see what happens." 
 
 < 
 
 ^ 
 
 iv^ 
 
Between the Lines 
 
 97 
 
 omewhat 
 ink. At 
 lemed to 
 f rate he 
 '. affairs, 
 that she 
 lieve, for 
 » had no 
 r father, 
 hey had 
 at would 
 ;. " I'll 
 find out 
 — " In 
 : fast at 
 ^ behind 
 :k into a 
 ctures of 
 2 shaded 
 5at down 
 Ves," he 
 ;ell me." 
 ;s steady 
 sunlight 
 thought, 
 
 At teii, the Porter trap stood in front of the 
 hotel, and Harvey climbed into the trap and 
 took the reins. As he started, a telegraph boy 
 ran down the steps calling to him. Harvey 
 took the yellow envelope and with a thought of 
 Jim's errand he thrust it between his teeth, for 
 the horses were prancing. Later he stuffed it 
 into his pocket until he should reach the Por- 
 ters'. The drive was exhilarating, and by the 
 time he pulled up in the porte-cochere he had 
 himself well in control. She did not keep him 
 waiting, and they were soon whirling down the 
 old river road. 
 
 Katherine was in a bright mood. For a 
 space they talked commonplaces. Harvey 
 thought of the telegram, but dared not take his 
 attention from the horses until they should run 
 off a little spirit, so he let them go. 
 
 " Isn't it splendid," she said, drawing in the 
 brisk air and looking at the broad stream on 
 their right. " Do you know, I never see the 
 river without thinking of the old days when this 
 country was wild. It seems so odd to realize 
 that Tonty and La Salle paddled up and down 
 here. They may have camped where we are 
 now. Sometimes in the evenings when we are 
 
 H 
 
f 
 
 p 
 
 f- 
 
 ' ':l 
 
 1 • 
 
 :l ' ,'j 
 
 • 
 
 :| 
 
 :r 
 
 
 -4:. 
 
 
 i^ 
 
 
 '!■ 
 
 
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 i'i. 
 
 m ! 
 
 \i- 
 
 I 1 ■' 
 
 fl' 
 
 
 !' I i 
 
 ill J.ih 
 
 98 
 
 77/^ 5/^/-/ Lwt? War 
 
 on the river, I imagine I can see a line of 
 canoes with strange, dark men in buckskin, and 
 painted Indians, and solemn old monks, with 
 Father Hennepin in the first canoe. So many 
 curious old memories hover over this stream." 
 
 The horses were slowing. Harvey said 
 abruptly, — 
 
 " Will you mind if I open a telegram .? " 
 " Certainly not." She reached out and took 
 the reins. Harvey opened the envelope with 
 his thumb. He read the message twice, then 
 lowered it to his knees with a puzzled expres- 
 sion. 
 
 "Bad news.?" asked Miss Porter. 
 " I don't know. Read it if you like." 
 She handed back the reins and read the 
 lollowmg : — 
 
 Mr. Harvey West: 
 
 You are receiver M. & T. Come to Manchester at 
 once. 
 
 Weeks. 
 
 "Well," he said, "what do you think.?" 
 She slowly folded the paper and creased it 
 between her fingers. 
 
 " Can you make it .? " she asked. 
 
Between the Lines 
 
 99 
 
 a line of 
 iiskin, and 
 nks, with 
 So many 
 tream." 
 vey said 
 
 1?" 
 
 and took 
 ope with 
 ice, then 
 1 expres- 
 
 read the 
 
 Chester at 
 
 fcVEEKS. 
 
 eased it 
 
 Harvey looked at his watch. ** Train goes at 
 eleven. I've got thirteen minutes." 
 
 "Turn around. It's only three miles. We 
 can do it." 
 
 Harvey pulled up and turned. Then he hesi- 
 tated. 
 
 "How about the team.?" he said; "I can't 
 take you home." 
 
 " Never mind that. Quick ; you can't lose any 
 time. I'll get the team back." 
 
 Harvey nodded and gripped the reins, and in 
 a moment the bays were in their stride. Har- 
 vey's hands were full, and he made no effort to 
 talk. Miss Porter alternately watched him and 
 the horses. 
 
 " They can do better than that. You'll have 
 to slow up in town, you know." And Harvey 
 urged them on. 
 
 As they neared the town, Hj.rvey spoke. 
 
 " Will you look at my watch 'i " 
 
 She threw back his coat and tugged at the 
 fob until the watch appeared. " Three minutes 
 yet. We're all right." 
 
 But a blocked electric car delayed them, and 
 they swung up to the platform just at train- 
 time. Harvey gripped her hand : — 
 
tv 
 
 
 IOC> 
 
 The Short Line War 
 
 " Good-by. I shan't forget this." 
 
 But though her eyes danced, she only an- 
 swered, " Please hurry ! " 
 
 As Harvey dropped into a seat and looked 
 out the car window, he saw her sitting erect, 
 holding the nervous team with firm control' 
 And he settled back with a glow in his heart 
 
 i (1 
 
 M 
 
 rl 
 
 '}. 
 
 
 % 
 
i only an- 
 
 ! ' 
 
 nd looked 
 ing erect, 
 1 control, 
 his heart. 
 
 CHAPTER Vlir 
 
 JUDGE GREY 
 
 On Friday, after Jim Weeks had told Har- 
 vey that he was free to go to Truesdale, he fol- 
 lowed the young man almost fondly with his 
 eyes and he did not at once resume the work 
 which awaited him. For Harvey's request had 
 set him thinking. During years that passed 
 after the day when he took his last drive with 
 Ethel Harvey, he had not dared to think of her. 
 Later when he heard of her death, he did not 
 try to analyze the impulse which led him to 
 offer a position to Harvey. As he grew to 
 know the young fellow he gradually admitted 
 to himself his fondness for him, and now that 
 he believed that Harvey was in love, he allowed 
 himself for the first time the luxury of reminis- 
 cence. 
 
 The old Louisville days came back to him 
 when he and Ethel rode together through coun- 
 try lanes and he loved her. The wound was 
 
 lOI 
 
t 
 
 102 
 
 I 
 
 I 
 
 t 
 
 1 
 
 l#ii 
 
 "»■( i;; 
 
 
 77/^ S/iorf Line War 
 
 ;tii 
 
 healed ; it had lost its sting a score of years ago 
 but his mood was still tender, and as he stared 
 at the pile of papers on his desk, thoughts of 
 C & S. C. were far away. At last, however, 
 the consciousness of this came upon him and 
 he thought. *' I reckon I need exercise," and 
 then a moment later, " It'll be quite a trick, 
 though, to find a horse that's up to my weight '' 
 He had hardly taken up his work when Pease 
 appeared and told him that a man wanted to 
 see him. The man was a deputy sheriff, and he 
 came to serve on James Weeks the injunction 
 which Judge Black had signed in Porter's office 
 two hours before. 
 
 It may be that his earlier mood had some- 
 thing to do with it ; for as Jim laid the paper 
 on his desk, his thoughts went back half a cen- 
 tury to one of his boyhood days. It was a 
 summer afternoon, and Jim and some of his 
 friends had been in swimming; somehow it 
 became necessary for him to fight Thomas Ran- 
 some. Jim had never been in a fight before 
 and he had no theories whatever, but he found 
 that he could hit hard, and it never occurred to 
 him to try to parry. Thomas was forced to 
 e:ive back steadilv imfi'i v>;^ f„. 
 
 -J -xiixi lito laiuxier retreat 
 
 was 
 
^ears ago, 
 
 he stared 
 
 oughts of 
 
 however, 
 
 him and 
 ise," and 
 
 a trick, 
 weight." 
 en Pease 
 anted to 
 f, and he 
 1 junction 
 r's office 
 
 d some- 
 e paper 
 f a cen- 
 t was a 
 : of his 
 2how it 
 as Ran- 
 before, 
 ' found 
 rred to 
 ced to 
 ;at was 
 
 Judge Grey 
 
 103 
 
 i 
 
 cr. 
 
 cut off by the river and he saw that more vi 
 orous tactics were required. With utter disre- 
 gard of the laws of war he drove a vicious kick 
 at Jim's stomach. Had it landed, its effect 
 would probably have been serious, but Jim, for 
 the first time since the fight began, stepped 
 back, and with both hands gave additional im- 
 petus to the foot, so that Thomas kicked much 
 higher than he had intended, and losing his bal- 
 ance, he toppled into the river with a very sat- 
 isfactory splash. 
 
 Jim smiled at the recollection and then read 
 the injunction again to see if it were possible to 
 catch Porter's foot. His eye rested long on 
 the sputtery signature at the bottom, and he 
 thought, "I might have known that Porter 
 wouldn't go into this business without owning a 
 Judge." 
 
 He put the paper in his pocket, then locked 
 his desk, and with a word to Pease he left the 
 office. Jim dined down town, and not until 
 after dinner did he think of Harvey and his 
 leave of absence. He would need his secretary 
 to-morrow, and it would not do to have him out 
 of reach. But the moments of reminiscence 
 that afternoon came to Harvey's rescue, and Jim 
 
104 
 
 The Short Line War 
 
 3\ 
 
 I 
 
 I 
 
 I 
 
 '( 
 
 11 .'^ ' 
 
 in the most unbusinesslike way decided to get 
 on without his secretary. " He can't go through 
 that but once," thought Jim. 
 
 He left the restaurant and walked rapidly to 
 fl»e Northern Station, and for the second time 
 that week the Northern Limited took Jim to 
 Manchester. 
 
 Jim was going to see Judge Grey. He had 
 already decided what he wanted the Judge to 
 do; whether he could get hiui to do it was 
 another question, which Jim was going to put 
 to the test as soon as possible. 
 
 The trains on the Northern in coming into 
 Manchester run down the middle of one of the 
 main business streets, and engineers are com- 
 pelled by city statutes to run slowly. As the 
 Limited slowed down, Jim walked out on the 
 rear platform and stood gazing at the brightly 
 lighted shop windows. At an intersecting street 
 he saw a trolley car waiting for the train to pass ; 
 the blue light it showed told Jim it was the car 
 he wanted, so he swung quickly off the train 
 and stepped aboard the car as it came bumping 
 over the crossing. Ii was evid^ n^ly behind its 
 schedule, for once on clear track again it sped 
 along rapidly. A man was running to catch 
 
Ju'-^lie Grey 
 
 105 
 
 cd to get 
 through 
 
 rapidly to 
 :ond time 
 ik Jim to 
 
 Ho had 
 Judge to 
 
 it was 
 ig to put 
 
 ling into 
 
 le of the 
 
 are com- 
 
 As the 
 
 t on the 
 
 brightly 
 
 tig street 
 
 to pass ; 
 
 1 the car 
 he train 
 Him ping 
 ihind its 
 
 it sped 
 o catch 
 
 the rar, and Jim watched him with amused in- 
 terest. At first he gained, but as the speed of 
 the vir increased he gave up the race; but he 
 had come near enough for Jim Xo recognize 
 him as the man who had dined only a few tablc-^ 
 from him that evening in Chicago and who had 
 sat a few seats behind him on the Limited. 
 Jim smiled. " They're mighty anxious to know 
 what I'm doing," he thought. 
 
 Judge Grey did not go away on vacations. 
 He was a homely man, with a large family, and 
 he took serious views of life He was country 
 bred, and he had never outgrown a certain 
 rusticity of appearance. It was said that his 
 wife always cut his hair, an I the concentric 
 circles made by the neatly trimmed ends lent 
 verisimilitude to the tale that j-he began at the 
 crown with a butter dish to guide her scissors, 
 then extended the diameter of her circle by using 
 next a saucer, and last a soup bowl. 
 
 The Judge greeted Jim warml , invited him 
 into the library, and sat down to . \ear what he 
 had to say. Jim told him almost without res- 
 ervation the story of the fight foi the posses- 
 sion of M. & T., beginning with his large 
 investment in the road and his election to the 
 
1l)( 
 
 H 
 
 ■f(i 
 
 1 06 
 
 The Short Line War 
 
 presidency of it. He did not try to make a 
 good story; he told what had happened as 
 simply and briefly as possible, and he interested 
 Judge Grey. Part of it was already known to 
 him, and part filled in gaps in his knowledge. 
 To him it was the story of an honest struggle 
 for something worth struggling for. When 
 it came to the latest move, and Jim without 
 comment handed him Black's injunction, the 
 Judge's wrath flamed out. 
 
 "That's an outrage!" he exclaimed. "It's 
 just a legal hold-up," 
 
 " Possibly," said Jim. " It was the best move 
 they could make, though. But," he went on 
 after a short pause, " I've got the right in this 
 business, and I want you to help me." 
 
 "You want me to dissolve the injunction, 
 I suppose," said the Judge, cautiously. 
 
 " No," said Jim. - 1 don't. Just the other 
 way. I'd like you to issue an injunction that 
 will go a little farther." 
 
 There was another short pause, and then 
 Jim began explaining his plan. As he ex- 
 plained and argued, the fire, which had been 
 crackling cheerfully when he came in, flickered 
 more and more faintly, and it was but a fading" 
 
Judge Grey 
 
 107 
 
 to make a 
 opened as 
 interested 
 known to 
 :novvledge. 
 t struggle 
 -. When 
 n without 
 ction, the 
 
 ;d. " It's 
 
 glow when that most informal session of the 
 Circuit Court in chancery sitting came to its 
 conclusion. 
 
 "That's all right, then," said Jim at length, 
 rising as he spoke. 
 
 "Yes," said the other. "We'll do it that 
 way. Are you going right back to Chicago, 
 Mr. Weeks.?" 
 
 "No," said Jim. "I shall be here for some 
 time. From now on this fight will be along 
 the line of the road." 
 
 3est move 
 
 went on 
 
 ht in this 
 > 
 
 ijunction, 
 
 he other 
 tion that 
 
 :nd then 
 5 he ex- 
 ad been 
 flickered 
 a fad in c: 
 
 Mr. Wing was oppressed by a sense of his 
 office boy's superiority. He read disapproba- 
 tion in the round-eyed stare, and even the cut- 
 steel buttons, though of Wing's own purveying, 
 seemed arguslike in their critical surveillance. 
 He would have abolished them had he not felt 
 that the boy would understand the change. If 
 the boy had only forgotten to copy letters or 
 had manifested an unruly desire to attend his 
 relatives' funerals, his employer would have 
 been a happier man. As it was, he felt apolo- 
 getic every time he came in late or went out 
 early. 
 
 The directors' meeting which Porter and 
 
 : ¥t 
 
i! i 
 
 P 
 
 U t 
 
 
 io8 
 
 T/ie Short Lme War 
 
 Thompson had decided upon on Friday was to 
 take place the next afternoon in Wing's office ; 
 so, contrary to the little man's custom on Satur- 
 day afternoons, he returned thither after lunch. 
 Porter and Thompson were already there, 
 and the former was giving the Vice-President 
 his last instructions, with the evident purpose 
 of stiffening him up a bit. For Thompson 
 seemed to need stiffening badly. One by one, 
 and two by two, the directors came straggHng 
 in, and presently Porter, with a parting injunc- 
 tion to Thompson, left the room and crossed 
 over to McNally's office, where his lieutenant 
 was waiting for him. There they plotted and 
 planned and awaited the result of the directors' 
 meeting across the hall. 
 
 In Wing's office the meeting was about to 
 begin. It was easy to distinguish between 
 Jim's friends and the C. & S. C. people ; for the 
 former, a doleful minority, were crowded in one 
 corner doing nothing because there was nothing 
 they could do, while on the other side of the 
 room were the gang, with Thompson in the 
 centre, talking in low tones over the programme 
 of the meeting. There seemed to be no hope 
 whatever that the President would be able to 
 
 1 1 
 
 H 
 
Jttdgc Grey 
 
 109 
 
 3ay was to 
 ig's office ; 
 on Satur- 
 fter lunch, 
 idy there, 
 -President 
 t purpose 
 rhompson 
 le by one, 
 straggling 
 ig injunc- 
 d crossed 
 lieutenant 
 otted and 
 directors' 
 
 about to 
 between 
 : ; for the 
 ed in one 
 s nothing 
 e of the 
 n in the 
 ogramme 
 no hope 
 ; able to 
 
 save himself, for his opponents had a clear 
 majority of two, and they were met to-day to 
 press this advantage to the utmost. Had Jim 
 been there at hand, his cause would not have 
 seemed to his friends so desperate, for it was 
 hard, looking at him, to imagine him defeated ; 
 his very bulk seemed prophetic of ultimate vic- 
 tory. But Jim was not there ; he was not even 
 in Chicago. 
 
 There was one man in the minority group 
 who seemed somewhat less cheerless than his 
 companions. When they asked him what hope 
 there was, what way of escape he saw, he could 
 not answer, but he still professed to believe that 
 the President's downfall was not so imminent 
 as it seemed. And the thought that perhaps 
 this one man knew more than he could tell kept 
 the minority from becoming utterly discouraged. 
 The foundation for his hopes lay in a telegram 
 he had received that morning from Jim, which 
 read, ''Dont get scared, every tiling all right.'' 
 Evidently Jim was not submitting tamely, but 
 whatever was going to happen must happen 
 soon if it was not to be too late, for Thompson 
 was already calling the meeting to order. As 
 the directors seated themselves about the long 
 
nil 
 
 no 
 
 T/ie Short Line War 
 
 li * 
 
 ;W 
 
 I: 
 
 table and listened to Thompson's opening re- 
 marks, — Thompson liked to make remarks, 
 — it seemed that for once in his life Jim was 
 beaten. 
 
 At that moment, in the arched entrance to 
 the Dartmouth, a man whose damp forehead 
 and limp collar bore witness that he was in a 
 hurry, turned away from the wall directory he 
 had been scrutinizing and entered the nearest 
 elevator. 
 
 " Six," he said. Once on the sixth floor he 
 looked about for a minute or two and walked 
 into the outer office where Buttons was on 
 guard, demanding audience with Mr. Wing. 
 
 "Mr. Wing is in," said the boy, "but he is 
 engaged and can't be disturbed." 
 
 "They're here, are they.?" said the man. 
 "Well, I want to see Mr. Wing and Mr. 
 Thompson and Mr. Powers." 
 
 " But you can't see them," was the answer. 
 " There's a directors' meeting in there." 
 
 "In there, eh.?" said the man, and without 
 further parley with Buttons, he entered the 
 room indicated, closing the door behind him. 
 
 Meanwhile Porter and McNally in the other 
 office were discussing probabilities and possi- 
 
Judge Grey 
 
 III 
 
 )pening re- 
 i remarks, 
 fe Jim was 
 
 ntrance to 
 j forehead 
 i was in a 
 irectory he 
 he nearest 
 
 h floor he 
 id walked 
 s was on 
 
 . Wing, 
 but he i 
 
 is 
 
 the man. 
 and Mr. 
 
 2 answer. 
 
 i without 
 :ered the 
 id him. 
 the other 
 
 
 pc 
 
 bilities and thinking of a good many others 
 which neither of them cared to discuss, though 
 all were in their way pleasant. Suddenly they 
 were interrupted by the apparition of Buttons. 
 His eyes were rounder than ever, and his white 
 hair looked as though some one had tried to 
 drag it out of his head. 
 
 "Please, sir," he gasped, "Mr. Thompson 
 wants to see you right away." 
 
 Porter jumped to his feet and fairly ran out of 
 the room. As he turned into the hall a muffled 
 uproar greeted his ears, and it made him 
 hurry the faster. But McNally stayed where 
 he was. He, too, heard the strange noise, but 
 he felt that he would not be able to do any 
 good by going in there. McNally did not 
 "come out strong" amid scenes of violence. 
 His heart troubled him. 
 
 It was not more than five minutes before 
 Porter came back. His face was a study. 
 
 "They're raising hell in there," he said. 
 "Weeks's judge has just served an injunction 
 that kicks Thompson and Wing and Powers off 
 the board. Thompson just curled up, — he 
 was almost too scared to breathe, — and Win^ 
 seemed to be having some sort of a fit. There 
 
il 
 
 31 
 
 i: ' 
 
 
 I V 
 
 
 112 
 
 T/ie Short Line War 
 
 was one idiot up on the table yelling that the 
 meeting was adjourned and trying to give 
 three cheers for Weeks." (It was the man 
 with the telegram.) 
 
 "Well," said McNally, "what's going to 
 happen next.?" 
 
 "I don't know," said Porter, breathlessly. 
 "I don't see that anything can happen. As 
 things stand now there isn't a quorum of 
 directors and all the officers are suspended. 
 The road can't do business." 
 
 Suddenly he leaned forward in his chair and 
 exclaimed: — 
 
 "By George, if that road doesn't need a 
 receiver, no road ever did. Telephone Judge 
 Black quick. We'll get in ahead of Weeks this 
 time." 
 
 There was no delay in finding the Judge. 
 Porter had indicated to him the advisability of 
 keeping himself on tap, as it were, and he was 
 now prepared to settle with neatness and de- 
 spatch the legal affairs of his employers. Before 
 dark that afternoon he had regularly and with 
 all necessary formality appointed Frederick 
 McNally t® be receiver for the Manchester & 
 Truesdale Railroad Company. 
 
Judge Grey 
 
 113 
 
 But it v/as significant of Jim Weeks's foresight 
 
 that the road already had a receiver, for at that 
 
 very moment he had in his pocket an order 
 
 from Judge Grey appointing Harvey West to 
 
 that position. 
 I 
 
 
I i . 
 
 I; 
 
 It I ■ 
 
 Li " 
 
 ifi 
 
 CHAPTER IX 
 
 THE MATTER OF POSSESSION 
 
 The M. & T. terminal station at Manchester 
 was in reauty tvo buildings. From the street 
 It looked like an ordinary three-story office 
 bmldmg, except that there were no stores on 
 the street level. Instead, the first floor was 
 taken up by two large waiting rooms, the ticket 
 office, and a baggage room. Entering throu-h 
 the big doorway in the centre, you ascended'a 
 few steps, passed through the waiting room 
 then up some more steps and across a covered 
 iron bridge which spanned a narrow alley 
 This bridge connected the station proper with 
 the train shed. 
 
 The offices of the company occupied the two 
 upper floors. The same stairway that led to 
 the bridge doubled on itself and zigzagged up 
 the rest of the way. As you reached the sec 
 ond floor, the office of the Superintendent was 
 before you. across the hnl] To -rr- --; • 
 
 1, XO vOUi Xl5 
 
 llL 
 
 "4 
 
The Matter of Possession 
 
 115 
 
 anchester 
 he street, 
 )ry office 
 stores on 
 floor was 
 he ticket 
 
 through 
 :ended a 
 ig room, 
 
 covered 
 N alley, 
 per with 
 
 the two 
 : led to 
 rged up 
 the sec- 
 
 ent was 
 
 - -,• .1^ 
 i iigii': 
 
 were large rooms occupied by various branches 
 of the clerical force, while to your left the first 
 door bore the word "Treasurer," and the 
 second was lettered " President." The Treas- 
 urer's office was a large room, cut off at the 
 rear by a vault which contained the more valu- 
 able of the company's books and papers: the 
 main vault was downstairs. A narrow passage 
 between the vault and the partition led to a 
 small window which overlooked the train shed 
 and the alley. On one side of this passage 
 was the vault entrance, on the other was a door 
 which had been cut through the partition into 
 the President's private office. 
 
 Early on Monday morn ag, after a brief 
 survey of the various officers and a few words 
 with the Superintendent, Harvey assumed the 
 direction of the road and established himself 
 in the President's room, while a big deputy sat 
 at the desk in the outer office. The night 
 before, at the Illinois House, Jim and Harvey 
 had talked until ^e, discussing every detail 
 of the situation. Jim had gone over the fight 
 of Saturday, winding up with a few words of 
 advice. 
 
 *'Weli have trouble," he said. "Porter 
 
 f! t> 
 
116 
 
 The Short Line War 
 
 \ •! 
 
 n. 
 
 w-t 
 
 li i 
 
 Pf \ V- 
 
 IfM:. 
 
 isn't going to let things slip away any easier 
 than he has to. The safe plan is to suspect 
 everything and everybody. Keep everything 
 in sight. I'll be here to help, but from now 
 on you represent the road." 
 
 Harvey arranged the desk to suit him, then 
 he opened the small door behind him and 
 crossed the passage. The vault door was 
 open, but a steel gate barred the way. A key 
 hung by the window, ind as Harvey unlocked 
 the gate and swung ir open, a bell rang. He 
 examined the shelves, and noted that the books 
 were in place. He knew that the possession 
 of those books meant practically the possession 
 of the road. 
 
 Reentering his office he found the deputy 
 standing in the other doorway. 
 
 " Gentleman to see you, Mr. West," said the 
 deputy. "Won't give his name. Says it's 
 important." 
 
 "Show him in," Harvey replied. 
 
 The deputy stepped back and made way for 
 a quiet-looking man who was even larger than 
 himself. The newcomer closed the door be- 
 hind him. 
 
 " Mr. West," he said, " Mr. Weeks 
 
 or 
 
 -J, 
 
 UCl 
 
 ed 
 
 m 
 
 |lill| 
 
The Matter of Possession 
 
 17 
 
 any easier 
 
 to suspect 
 
 everything 
 
 from now 
 
 him, then 
 him and 
 door was 
 ^ A key 
 unlocked 
 ang. He 
 the books 
 )Ossession 
 >ossession 
 
 e deputy 
 
 said 
 
 the 
 
 Says 
 
 it's 
 
 way 
 
 for 
 
 ?er than 
 
 door 
 
 be- 
 
 ordered 
 
 me to report to you. I'm Mallory, from the 
 Pinkcrton agency. I have three men outside. 
 Have you any instructions } " 
 
 Harvey checked a smile. It reminded him 
 of the stories of his boyhood. But in a moment 
 it dawned inon him that if Jim thought the 
 situation so serious, he must be very careful. 
 
 "Yes," he answered slowly. " Put one man 
 near the vault — here" — he opened the small 
 door — "let no one go into the vault without 
 my permission. Then you might put one man 
 in the hall — somewhere out of sight — and 
 one outside the building. You understand that 
 there may be an attempt to get possession 
 of the books. Do you know any of the C. & 
 S. C. men — William C. Porter, or Frederick 
 McNally.?" 
 
 The detective shook his head. 
 
 "Well, then, just keep things right ur.der 
 your eye, and report every hour or so." 
 
 The detective nodded and left the room, 
 A little later Harvey opened the side door, and 
 saw a man lounging in the passage, looking 
 idly out the window. 
 
 Shortly after ten Jim came in to talk things 
 over. He told Harvey that the C. & S. C. 
 
 ;ii 
 
 m 
 
1 ' 
 
 Ii8 
 
 The Short Line War 
 
 Hi 
 
 ffll 
 
 !■ : 
 
 ' ■ \ 
 
 people had a counter move under way, but he 
 was unable to discover its nature. He had 
 seen McNally in company with a number of 
 men who did not often leave Chicago. " He'll 
 be up here, yet," Jim added prophetically; and 
 he went out without leaving word. "Don't 
 know how long I'll be gone," was all he would 
 say ; " but you'll see me off and on." 
 
 Ten minutes after Jim's departure McNally 
 appeared. Harvey heard his voice in the outer 
 office, then the deputy came to Harvey's desk. 
 
 "Mr. Frederick McNally," said the official. 
 "He asked for the Superintendent first, and 
 I sent him in to Mr. Mattison, but he sent him 
 back to you. Will you see him } " 
 
 "Yes," replied Harvey. "And you may 
 stay in the room." 
 
 The deputy held open the door, while 
 McNally entered. 
 
 "How are you, West.?" he said brusquely. 
 " There seems to be some confusion here. The 
 Superintendent disclaims all authority, and 
 refers me to you." 
 
 "Sit down," said Harvey, waiting for 
 McNally to continue. Evidently McNally 
 preferred to stand. 
 
The Matter of Possession 
 
 119 
 
 "I wish to sec some one in authority, Mr. 
 West." 
 
 "You may talk with me." 
 
 " You — are you in authority > " 
 
 Harvey bowed, and fingered a paper-weight. 
 
 •' I don't understand this, West. " He glanced 
 at the deputy. " I wish to see you alone." 
 
 For a moment Harvey looked doubtful, then 
 he smiled slightly, and nodded at the deputy, 
 saying, — 
 
 "Very well." 
 
 " Will you tell me what this means ? " asked 
 McNally, when the door had closed. 
 
 Harvey looked gravely at him and said 
 nothing. 
 
 "Well.?" McNally's coolness was leaving 
 him. "Are you in control of this road, or 
 aren't you .? " 
 
 "lam." 
 
 "In that case"— -he produced a paper—- "it 
 becomes my duty to relieve you." 
 
 Harvey looked at the paper ; it was an order 
 from Judge Black appointing McNally receiver 
 for M. & T. Harvey handed it back, saying, 
 coolly, — 
 
 " Sit down, Mr. McNally." 
 
 
I20 
 
 The Short Line War 
 
 "I have no time to waste, West. You will 
 please turn over the books." 
 
 " They are in the vault," said Harvey, point- 
 ing to the side door. 
 
 McNally looked sharply at Harvey, but the 
 young man had turned to a pile of letters. 
 After a moment's hesitation McNally opened 
 the door and pulled at the steel gate. As he 
 was peering through the bars, a heavy hand fell 
 on his shoulder. 
 
 "Here!" said a low voice. "You'll have to 
 keep away from that vault." 
 
 "Take your hand away ! " McNally ordered. 
 
 " Come, now ! Move on ! " 
 
 " Mr. West, under whose orders is this man 
 acting } " 
 
 "His superior officer's, I suppose," Harvey 
 called through the door without rising. 
 
 " Call him at once, sir." 
 
 The detective beckoned to a boy, and sent 
 him out of the room. In a moment his chief 
 appeared. 
 
 " This man sent for you, Mr. Mallory," said 
 the detective. 
 
 "What is it.? " asked Mallory. 
 McNally blustered. 
 
 'if 
 
The Matter of Possession 
 
 121 
 
 " I want to know what this means. Do you 
 understand that I am the receiver of this road ?" 
 
 "Oh, no, you aren't." Mallory stepped to 
 the door. " Is this true, Mr. West .? " 
 
 " No," said Harvey, " it isn't." 
 
 " You'll have to leave, then, my friend." 
 
 "Don't you touch me! " McNally's face was 
 growing red. For reply each detective seized 
 an arm, and the protesting receiver was hustled 
 unceremoniously out of the room. 
 
 An hour later McNally returned. He greeted 
 the deputy with a suave smile, and requested an 
 interview with Mr. West. 
 
 " I'm not sure about that," said the deputy. 
 
 " That is too bad," smiled McNally. " Kindly 
 speak to Mr. West." 
 
 With a disapproving glance the deputy opened 
 the door. Harvey came forward. 
 
 "Well," he said brusquely, "what can I do 
 for you .'' " 
 
 McNally stepped through the door and seated 
 himself. 
 
 "I've been thinking this matter over, Mr. 
 West, and I believe that we can come to an 
 understanding. If your claims are correct, the 
 road has two receivers. You are nominally in 
 
 
 i>, .1 
 
 P 
 
•I ' I 
 
 122 
 
 T/te Short Line War 
 
 possession, but, nevertheless, you are liable for 
 contempt of court for refusing to honor my 
 authority. Whichever way the case is settled, 
 I am in a position to inconvenience you for 
 resisting me." 
 
 He waited for a reply, but Harvey waited, too. 
 "In the interest of the road, Mr. West, it 
 would be very much better for you to recognize 
 me, even to the extent of having two receivers. 
 It could not affect the outcome of the case, and 
 it might avoid trouble." 
 
 "I can't agree with you," Harvey replied. 
 " I shall retain control of the road until the 
 case is settled." 
 McNally rose. 
 
 "Then, I warn you, you will have a big 
 undertaking on your hands." 
 " I suppose so." 
 "Very well ; good morning." 
 "Good morning, Mr. McNally." 
 At noon Harvey went out to lunch. He met 
 Jim at the hotel, and told him what had hap- 
 pened. Jim smiled at Harvey's seriousness. 
 
 "The fight hasn't begun yet," he said. 
 " When you've been through as many deals as 
 I have"— he stopped and drew out his watch. 
 
 4 
 
The Matter of Possession 
 
 123 
 
 liable for 
 
 lonor my 
 
 s settled^ 
 
 you for 
 
 aited, too. 
 West, it 
 recognize 
 receivers, 
 case, and 
 
 replied, 
 until the 
 
 e a big 
 
 He met 
 lad hap- 
 less, 
 le said, 
 deals as 
 
 3 watch. 
 
 "It's one-thirty. You'd better get back. I'll 
 go with you and look over the field." 
 
 As they walked through the waiting room 
 Harvey fancied that he heard a noise from 
 above. However, the noon express, out in the 
 train shed, was blowing off steam with a roar, 
 and he could not be positive. But Jim quick- 
 ened his pace, and ran up the steps with sur- 
 prising agility. 
 
 As they neared the second floor the noise 
 grew. There was scuffling and loud talking, 
 culminating in an uproar of profanity and blows. 
 The first man they saw was McNally. He 
 stood near the stairway, hat on the back of his 
 head, face red but composed. Before him was 
 a strange scene. Mallory and the big deputy 
 stood with their backs to the Treasurer's door, 
 tussling with three burly ruffians. Beyond the 
 deputy, one of the detectives was standing off 
 two men with well-placed blows. The two 
 other detectives were rolling about the floor, 
 each with a man firmly in his grasp. There 
 was a great noise of feet, as the different groups 
 swayed and struggled. In the excitement none 
 of them saw Jim and Harvey, who stood for a 
 moment on the top step. 
 
 • y 
 
 * ''if 
 
124 
 
 The Short Line War 
 
 m 
 
 A stiff blow caught the deputy's chin, and 
 he staggered. With a quick motion Mallory 
 whipped out a pair of handcuffs. There was 
 a flash of steel as he drew back his arm, then 
 the maddened rough went down in a heap, a 
 stream of blood flowing from his head. One 
 of the others, a red-haired man, gripped the 
 handcuffs and fought for them. It all hap- 
 pened in an instant, and as Harvey stood half- 
 dazed, he heard a breathless exclamation, and 
 Jim had sprung forward. 
 
 Some persons might have thought Jim Weeks 
 fat. He weighed two hundred and forty pounds, 
 but he was tall and wide in the shoulder. On 
 ordinary occasions his face was so composed as 
 to appear almost cold-blooded, but now it was 
 fairly livid. Harvey drew in his breath with 
 surprise ; he had seen Jim angry, but never 
 like this. In three strides Jim was behind the 
 red-haired man. He threw an arm around the 
 man's neck, jerking his chin up with such force 
 that his body bent backward, and relinquishing 
 his hold on the handcuffs he clutched, gasping, 
 at Jim's arm. But the arm gripped like iron. 
 While Mallory was pulling himself together 
 and turning to aid the deputy, Jim walked 
 
 lit 
 
The Matter of Possession 
 
 125 
 
 backward, dragging the struggling man to the 
 head of the stairs. On the top step he paused 
 to grip the man's trousers with his other hand, 
 then he literally threw the fellow downstairs. 
 Bruised and battered, he lay for a moment on 
 the landing, then he struggled to his feet and 
 moved his arm toward his hip pocket, but Jim 
 was ready. The breathless President started 
 down the stairs with a rush. For an instant 
 the man wavered, then he broke and fled into 
 the train shed. 
 
 On his return Jim had to step aside to avoid 
 another ruffian, who was walking down with 
 profane mutterings. This time Harvey had a 
 hand in the fighting, and he leaned over the 
 railing to answer the man's oaths with a threat 
 of the law. Jim and Harvey stood aside while 
 the four detectives and the deputy led the 
 remainder of the gang downstairs to await 
 the police. 
 
 From the various offices frightened faces 
 were peering through half-open doors. A few 
 stripling clerks appeared with belated offers of 
 assistance, but Jim waved them back. Already 
 Jim was cooling off. Pie could not afford to 
 retain such a passion, and he mopped his face 
 
 ..|H 
 
126 
 
 The SJiort Line War 
 
 \B: 
 
 ! . 
 
 M 
 
 <r 
 to 
 
 and neck for a few moments without speak- 
 ing. His breath was gone, but he began to 
 recover it. 
 
 "Hello," he said, at length, " where's 
 McNally?" 
 
 Harvey started, then ran down the hall, 
 :lancing hastily into the different offices. When 
 he returned, Jim had vanished. While he stood 
 irresolute, two stalwart brakemen appeared 
 from the train shed and stood on the landing. 
 One of them called up, — 
 
 " Can we help you, sir .? " 
 
 " Wait a minute," said Harvey. 
 
 A door opened down the hall. Harvey 
 looked toward the sound, and saw Jim backing 
 out of the wash-room, followed by McNally, 
 whose arm was held firmly in Jim's grasp. 
 They came toward Harvey in silence. 
 
 " He was hiding, West," said Jim, a savage 
 eagerness in his voice. " He hadn't the nerve 
 to stick it out. Corker, isn't he } " 
 
 McNally stood for a moment looking dog- 
 gedly out through the window over the roof of 
 the shed. 
 
 "You've got yourself into a mess, Weeks," 
 he said, speaking slowly in an effort to bring 
 
 It " 
 
'■^ 
 
 ut speak- 
 began to 
 
 " Where's 
 
 the hall, 
 s. When 
 : he stood 
 appeared 
 landing. 
 
 Harvey 
 
 backing 
 
 McNally, 
 
 s grasp. 
 
 a savage 
 he nerve 
 
 The Matter of Possession \ 27 
 
 himself under control. "This'll land you in 
 Joliet." 
 
 For reply Jim looked him over contemptu- 
 ously, and tightened his grasp until the other 
 winced. Then he suddenly loosened his hold, 
 stepped back, and calling, "Catch him, boys!'' 
 kicked McNally with a mighty swing. 
 
 Harvey laughed hysterically as the flying fig- 
 ure sailed down the stairway, then he heard Jim 
 say to the brakemen, — 
 
 "Take him to Mallory, and tell him to put 
 him with the others." 
 
 "Well," said Harvey, nervously, "I guess 
 that's settled." 
 
 " No," said Jim, " it's only just begun. He'll 
 be on deck again before night." The next sen- 
 tence was lost in the mopping handkerchief, but 
 as he turned into the office, he added, " We'll 
 have to lose the books to-night, West." 
 
 ing dog- 
 2 roof of 
 
 Weeks," 
 to bring 
 
CHAPTER X 
 
 ^ 
 
 
 SOMEBODY LOSES THE BOOKS 
 
 When Harvey went to dinner in the evening 
 he left a force of ten detectives guarding the 
 offices. Jim, who had spent the afternoon with 
 Harvey, superintended the placing of the men 
 Mallory, the lieutenant in charge, was ensconced 
 m the .Superintendent's office, and six of his 
 assistants were with him, privileged to doze 
 until called. One man stood in the hall in a 
 position to watch the stairway and the windows 
 at each end ; one patrolled the waiting room • 
 and the ninth man strolled about in front of the 
 building, loitering in the shadows and watching 
 the street with trained eye. Before leaving the 
 station Jim had a short talk with Mallory. 
 
 "Watch it awful close,'^ he said. "There's 
 no telling what these people will do." 
 
 "Very well, Mr. Weeks. They won't get 
 ahead of us. But I should feel a bit safer if 
 you'd let me put a man by the vault." 
 
 128 
 
Somebody loses the Booky 
 
 129 
 
 Jim shook his head. 
 
 "T- ^re's such a thing as doing it too well, 
 Mallory. And by all means I hope that you 
 won't do that." 
 
 He looked closely at the detective, who 
 glanced away with a cautious nod. 
 
 That evening after dinner, Jim telephoned 
 for Mattison, the Superintendent, and a long 
 talk ensued in Jim's room at the hotel. Neither 
 he nor Harvey wasted time in recounting the 
 experiences of the day; they had too many 
 plans for the night. As Jim had said, it was 
 necessary to lose the books, and to lose them 
 thoroughly. It was equally important that the 
 action should not be confided to any ordinary 
 employee. The fewer men that knew of it, 
 the safer Jim would be, and so he finally 
 decided to confine the information within its 
 original limits. 
 
 "You two are lively rn your feet," he said. 
 "And it is a good deal better for you to do it." 
 
 ** How about the detectives } " asked Matti- 
 son. 
 
 "You'll have to keep out of their way. 
 Mallory won't trouble you so long as you keep 
 still; but remember, every man, detective or 
 
 < I! 
 
 .Si.' 
 
N- 
 
 130 
 
 The Short Line War 
 
 m 
 
 4 : ■■( 
 
 If 
 
 If I: 
 
 It' 
 
 not, that catches you, makes one more chance 
 for evidence against us." 
 
 " But isn't the building surrounded ? " 
 " No. There's only one man outside, and he 
 is in front. You c^.n go through the alley 
 and climb up to the window — it's only the sec- 
 ond floor. Mallory has orders to keep out of 
 the vault room. He's over in your office, Mat- 
 tison." 
 
 " I suppose," suggested Harvey, " that unless 
 we are actually caught with the books, we can 
 throw a bluff about a tour of inspection or 
 something of that sort." 
 
 "And if we are caught," said Mattison, "I 
 suppose we can run Hke the devil." 
 
 " You'll have to trust the details more or less 
 to circu: stances," was Jim's reply. 
 
 "How about the books.?" asked Harvey. 
 " What shall we do with them .? " 
 
 " Mattison had better take care of them. We 
 can't bring them to the hotel, and anyhow, it is 
 just as well if you and I, West, don't know any- 
 thing about them. Then, when we want them 
 again, it is a good deal easier for Mattison to 
 find them than for any one else. Sort of acci- 
 dent, you know." 
 
 1 
 
 li 
 
 ■'"Wi».i. 
 
Somebody loses the Books 
 
 131 
 
 It was finally agreed that before attempting 
 to get the books, Harvey and Mattison should 
 make a bona fide tour of inspection, by this 
 means finding out where each man was located. 
 Mattison reminded them that the watchman in 
 the train shed was not to be overlooked, but 
 they decided to chance him. 
 
 ♦• There's one thing about it," said Mattison, 
 smiling. "If Johnson doesn't catch us, I can 
 discharge him for incompetency." 
 
 Shortly after midnight Harvey and Mattison 
 started out. They found the station dark. As 
 they tiptoed slowly along, edging close to the 
 building, everything was silent. They reached 
 the arched doorway, and were turning in when 
 the glare of a bull's-eye lanterh flashed into 
 their eyes. Mattison laughed softly. 
 
 " That's business," he said. 
 
 "What are you up to.?" growled the man 
 behind the lantern. 
 
 "Where's Mallory.?" was Mattison's answer. 
 
 The man hesitated, then whistled softly. The 
 whistle was echoed in the waiting room. In a 
 few moments the door opened and a voice said, 
 "What's up.?" 
 
 "Two chaps want Mallory.'* 
 
132 
 
 The Short Line War 
 
 Harvey and Mattison still stood on the stone 
 step, looking into the lantern. They could see 
 neither door nor man. After a short wait, evi- 
 dently for scrutiny, the door closed. When it 
 opened again, Mallory's voice said, "Close that 
 light," adding, "Is anything the matter, Mr. 
 West .? " 
 
 '• No," replied Harvey. " We're keeping an 
 eye open. I see your men know their business. 
 Have you had any trouble } " 
 
 " Everything is quiet. Do you care to come 
 in.?" 
 
 Harvey responded by entering, with Mattison 
 following. As they crossed the waiting room, 
 Mallory drew their attention to a shadow near 
 a window. 
 
 "One of our boys," he said in a low tone. 
 " I put out all the lights. It makes it a good 
 deal easier to watch." 
 
 Up in Mattison's office the detectives were 
 lounging about, some dozing, some conversing 
 in low tones. The gas burned low, and the 
 window shutters were covered with the rugs 
 from the President's office, to keep the light 
 from the street. 
 
 ThA two f\fR/^in]c .Tf4-/^*. ^ ^1__ _T. -. . .1 
 
Somebody loses the Books 
 
 133 
 
 room, returned to the hall. Harvey tried the 
 door of each office, then returned to Mattison 
 and Mallory. While they stood whispering, — 
 for at night sound travels through an empty 
 building, — there came the sound of a window 
 sliding in its sash, apparently from the Treas- 
 urer's office. 
 
 Mallory paused to listen, then coolly turned 
 and continued the conversation. 
 
 " What was that ? " muttered Harvey. 
 
 The lieutenant affected not to hear the remark. 
 
 " Some one is getting into the building," Har- 
 vey whispered. Mattison stepped lightly across 
 the hall and, bending down, listened at the key- 
 hole. He returnf with an excited gesture. 
 
 " Don't you heai it 1 " he asked. 
 
 " No," said Mallory. " I don't hear any- 
 thing." 
 
 " Are you deaf, man .? " 
 
 " No, but I think I know when to hear." 
 
 It occurred to Harvey that Jim had done his 
 work well. But then, Jim's orders, however 
 brief, were always understood. Harvey mo- 
 tioned the others to be silent, and tiptoed across 
 the floor. He listened as Mattison had done, 
 then passed on to the President's door. Cau- 
 
 m 
 
 ■111 
 
IP 
 
 Iff!? 
 
 
 
 
 ; 1' 
 
 
 1^ 
 
 
 I 
 
 1 1 :: ; 
 
 it ■■ ! 
 
 I il 
 
 134 
 
 T/ie Short Line War 
 
 tiously he drew a bunch of keys from his pocket, 
 and feeling for the right one he slipped it into 
 the lock, threw open the door, and darted into 
 the office. Mattison and the detective followed, 
 stumbling over chairs, and colliding with the 
 door to the inner office, which had closed after 
 Harvey. In the dim light they could see two 
 figures struggling in the passage by the vault. 
 While Mattison sprang forward, Mallory quickly 
 lighted the gas. 
 
 The light showed that Harvey had crowded 
 the fellow up against the vault door. The new- 
 comer was a medium-sized man, rough-faced, 
 and poorly clad. On the floor was a small 
 leather grip, which evidently had been kicked 
 over in the scuffle, for part of a burglar's kit 
 was scattered about the passage. 
 
 Mallory jerked the man's wrists together, 
 slipped on the handcuffs, and led him out into 
 the hall. In a moment the detective returned. 
 
 " I left him with the boys, for the present. 
 Case of common safe-cracking." 
 
 "Do you think so.?" said Harvey, adjusting 
 his cuffs, and moving the strange tools with his 
 foot. " If he wanted money, I should think 
 he wouid have tackled the vault downstairs." 
 
Somebody loses tJie Books 
 
 135 
 
 Mallory stooped, and replaced the kit in the 
 bag. Suddenly he said, — 
 
 " Raise your foot, Mr. West." 
 
 Harvey did so, and the detective arose with 
 a dirty paper in his hand. He looked it over, 
 and handed it to the others. It was a rough 
 pencil sketch of the station building, showing 
 the alley, the window, the Treasurer's office, 
 and the vault. 
 
 " What do you think of it .? " asked Mallory. 
 
 Harvey turned it over. A second glance 
 showed it to be the front of an envelope, for 
 part of an end flap remained. The upper left- 
 hand corner had been torn off, evidently to 
 remove the return card, but so hastily that a 
 part of the card remained. Straightening it 
 out, and holding it up to the light, Harvey 
 read : — 
 
 esleigh, 
 
 ster, Illinois. 
 
 Mallory looked over his shoulder, and ex- 
 claimed : — 
 
 "That's easy. Hotel Blakesleigh, Manches- 
 ter, Illinois." 
 
 " How does that help you .? " asked Mattison. 
 Harvey lowered the paper. 
 
 Hi 
 
 A 
 
 ; \ 
 
 f'f 
 
 w 
 
ifli 
 
 f 
 
 5 ^^ 
 
 / 1 ' 
 
 
 
 
 '■ '*k-t' 
 
 
 i ^wj ''•■'- '>■' ' 
 
 
 ^i 1 1 
 
 
 ' : 1 III ^ 
 
 i 
 
 p. / 
 
 ■5 , 
 
 ]\ - 
 
 
 
 1 '■ 
 
 1 i 
 
 : ! i^H 
 
 1 
 
 t ' 
 
 
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 1 
 
 l-t 
 
 
 
 i -i 
 
 
 E '''h 
 
 
 m Ml 
 
 ^.. fj 
 
 *''''■ T' 
 
 p ' 
 
 
 as 
 
 
 w 
 
 ■ ■ ' 
 
 136 
 
 77^^' Short Lhie War 
 
 " Don't you see,'" he replied. "There are two 
 good hotels here, the Illinois and the Blakes- 
 Icigh. McNally is not at the Illinois." He 
 turned to the detective. " You'd better let the 
 fellow go, Mallory." 
 
 " Why .? " 
 
 " Because it is the easiest way to handle it. 
 Keep the tools, though." 
 
 " But I don't understand, Mr. West." 
 
 " Well, there is no use in discussing it. We 
 won't prefer charges." 
 
 " But the man was caught in the act." 
 
 " He didn't get anything, poor devil. No : 
 we're after bigger game than this. We h 
 enough for evidence. And don't sweat him.'* 
 
 ** This is too deep for me, Mr. West. Surely 
 there's no harm in questioning him, now that 
 I've got him." 
 
 "Can't help it, Mallory. When that man 
 reports to his employer, I want him to say that 
 we suspect nothing beyond his attempt to crack 
 the safe." 
 
 The detective turned away with a frown. 
 
 " I suppose you kiiow your business, Mr. 
 West." 
 
 Harvey and Mattison followed him to the 
 
 
Somebody loses the Books 
 
 n7 
 
 hall, closin^ the door after them. They said 
 good night, and left the building. 
 
 "See here, West," said Mattison, when they 
 were fairly around the corner, "wasn't that a 
 little hasty .? It wouldn't hurt to keep the man 
 out of the way." 
 
 " No, I don't agree with you. What McNally 
 has done so far will be upheld by his judge. 
 And another thing, Mattison ; just at present, 
 it isn't to our interest to get an investigation 
 under way. We're going to do the same thing 
 ourselves." 
 
 Slowly and cautiously they slipped around 
 the next square, and, by returning through the 
 alley, brought up in the shadow of a building, 
 across the street from the train shed. Here 
 they waited to reconnoitre. The night was 
 clear, and the arc-lamp at the corner threw an 
 intermittent glare down the street. As they 
 looked, a long shadow appeared on the side- 
 walk. Mattison gripped Harvey's arm, and 
 drew him back into the alley. They crouched 
 behind a pile of boxes. 
 
 "It's like stealing apples," whispered Har- 
 vey. " When the old man gets after you with 
 
 a StiCK. 
 
 
 fi'?, 
 
fl 
 
 p 
 
 If 
 
 
 
 I 1 
 
 i 
 
 H 
 
 II 1 
 h < 
 
 F' 1 
 
 li 
 
 lu 
 
 Ml 
 
 138 
 
 T/ie Short Line War 
 
 " Ssh ! " 
 
 The footsteps sounded loud on the stone 
 walk. Then a helmeted figure passed the al- 
 ley, and went on its way. 
 
 Waiting until the sound died in the distance, 
 the two stepped to the walk, looked hastily 
 toward each corner, and ran across the street. 
 Once in the station alley, they paused again. 
 
 "Look!" said Harvey, pointing; "he left 
 the ladder." 
 
 Sure enough, a light ladder reached from the 
 ground nearly to a second-story window, which 
 stood open. 
 
 "Well, here we are," Mattison whispered. 
 " How do you feel .? " 
 
 "First-class. Better let me go, — I know 
 the combination." 
 
 Mattison stood at the foot of the ladder, and 
 steadied it while Harvey stealthily climbed to 
 the window. Drawing himself into the passage, 
 the receiver set to work on the vault lock. He 
 turned the knob very slowly, guarding against 
 the slightest noise, but the faint light that came 
 through the window was not enough to bring 
 out the numbers. Harvey leaned back and 
 considered. The scratching of a match would 
 
 H/ i-t 
 
 liW 
 
Somebody loses the Books 
 
 139 
 
 almost surely be heard by the detectives. He 
 leaned out the window, and beckoned. Matti- 
 son came creeping up, and Harvey explained 
 in a few whispered sentences. ** Go back and 
 look up the street," he concluded. "We've 
 got to light it outside the building." 
 
 While Mattison was gone, Harvey felt his 
 way through the Treasurer's office and paused 
 to listen ; then he drew up a chair which stood 
 near the door, and climbing up, slipped off his 
 coat and hung it over the half-open transom. 
 Then he closed the transom^ and the room was 
 practically light proof. With the same caution 
 he reached the floor, and tiptoed back to the 
 window, where he found Mattison waiting on 
 the ladder. 
 
 "All right," whispered the Superintendent. 
 "Are you ready.?" 
 
 "Yes." 
 
 Mattison struck a match on his trousers leg, 
 shielded it with his hands, then handed it to 
 Harvey, who kneeled at the door and began to 
 whirl the knob. Before he was through the 
 light was close to his fingers, and he held another 
 match to the flame, taking care to light the 
 wrong end. At last the lock clicked, and Har- 
 
 
 •a 
 
 -.if 
 
 , f 1 
 
 if 
 
I40 
 
 The SJiort Line War 
 
 mmn 
 
 1^ ■■ 
 
 Ik- 
 
 It '. 
 1 1 
 
 i/i 
 
 I 
 
 \f. 
 
 In ^^:' 
 
 vey opened the door a few inches, then he whis- 
 pered to Mattison, " If I whistle, you get down 
 and I'll drop the books." 
 
 He swung the door open, but stopped bewil- 
 ered. Before him was the steel gate with the 
 clanging bell. However, the risk must be run, 
 so motioning Mattison to climb down he drew 
 out his keys, and with a match ready in his 
 hand he jerked the gate open and dashed into 
 the vault. Striking the match, he quickly located 
 the books he needed, carried them to the win- 
 dow and pitched them out. Then he heard a 
 thud on the door. He threw one leg over the 
 sill, but stopped — his coat was still on the tran- 
 som. Some one was struggling to break in the 
 door now, for it shook. Harvey sprang back, 
 mounted the chair, and tore down his coat, 
 tumbling to the floor, chair and all, with a clatter! 
 L voice shouted, " Open the door, or I'll shoot ! " 
 but Harvey gave no heed. He ran to the win- 
 dow and literally fell down the ladder, filling his 
 hands with slivers. There came a crash from 
 above, and a muttered oath, and Harvey knew 
 that the door had given way. He gave the lad- 
 der a shove, and as it fell upon the cobblestones 
 with a great noise, he turned and sped up the 
 
 ^^1 
 
 'f iiiiij 
 
Somebody loses the Books 
 
 141 
 
 alley after a dark figure that was already near 
 to the corner. 
 
 He caught up with Mattison in the next block, 
 and relieved him of half the load. Then for a 
 long time they ran and doubled, fugitives from 
 half a dozen detectives and a few lumbering 
 policemen. At last Mattison turned up a dark 
 alley in the residence district. Coming to a 
 board fence, he threw the books over, then 
 climbed after. Harvey followed, and found him- 
 self on a tennis court. Mattison led the way 
 through the yard, past a dark house, and across 
 the street to a roomy frame residence. 
 
 "Come in with me," he said to Harvey. 
 "You can't go back to the hotel now." 
 
 Harvey laughed nervously and nodded. Mat- 
 tison opened the door with his night key, and 
 with the heavy books in their arms the two 
 burglars stole up to bed. 
 
 life ■ 5 
 
 m 
 
 :il 
 
 If! 
 
M I 
 
 CHAPTER XI 
 
 A POLITICIAN 
 
 i\ i 
 
 |: 
 
 t> I 
 
 i 
 
 if 
 
 Mi 
 
 
 ^ 
 
 iL^_ 
 
 Any man whose interests are extensive and 
 diverse has sooner or later to master the art of 
 making other men work for him, and he must 
 be content to trust the management of a great 
 part of his affairs to other hands. Jim Weeks 
 loved to keep a grasp even on the comparatively 
 insignificant details of his business, but he 
 showed wonderful insight in the selection of 
 his lieutenants, and he could impart such mo- 
 mentum to his projects that they moved forward 
 as he meant them to, though his own hand was 
 not guiding them. Like other men accustomed 
 to giving orders, he took it for granted that his 
 directions would be carried out. 
 
 Bridge, the Tillman City alderman to whom 
 he had intrusted the task of watching Blaney, 
 had worked for Jim long enough to know that 
 this affair was in his own hands, and that some- 
 thing more than obedience and zeal was ex- 
 
 142 
 
A Politician 
 
 143 
 
 nsive and 
 the art of 
 I he must 
 3f a great 
 m Weeks 
 paratively 
 1, but he 
 lection of 
 such mo- 
 d forward 
 hand was 
 customed 
 1 that his 
 
 to whom 
 ^ Blaney, 
 mow that 
 tiat some- 
 was ex- 
 
 pected of him. Though Jim's words had been 
 brief, it was easy to see that the matter was 
 important ; important enough to give Bridge a 
 great opportunity. He wanted to make the 
 most of it, and, in the excitement of laying 
 H his plans, the design for the stable was for- 
 gotten. 
 
 As the day wore on and his scheme crystal- 
 lized, he fluctuated between a sort of exalted 
 confidence and the depths of nervous depression. 
 He was naturally a steady, humdrum sort of 
 man, but he was planning to do an audacious 
 thing. His chance had come, and he meant to 
 take it. At last, just before supper time, he 
 resolutely locked his office, and started out to 
 see Blaney. He hesitated a second or two be- 
 fore the contractor's house; then he ran up 
 the steps and rang the bell. 
 
 The door was opened by a little girl, who 
 peered up at him through the dusk with a 
 child's curiosity. Bridge knew her, but he 
 was of that kind of bachelors who are embar- 
 rassed in the presence of children. 
 
 "Good evening, Louise," he said. "Is your 
 father home .? " 
 
 " No, sir, he isn't," she answered. 
 
 'li 
 
 ' 
 
 1 
 
 
 % 
 
mi 
 
 
 uki 
 
 ii 
 
 ! : 1 . 
 
 i 
 
 I i 
 
 1 - 
 
 
 X 
 
 i 
 
 il 
 
 t 
 
 if 
 1.- 
 
 
 i 
 
 liillit 
 
 144 
 
 T/ie Short Line War 
 
 There was a moment of awkward silence, and 
 then he stammered, — 
 
 "Well — good night." He bent down and 
 gravely shook hands with her, and turned to go 
 down the steps, but at that moment Blaney him- 
 self appeared. 
 
 " How are you ? " he said. " Did you want 
 to see me .? " 
 
 " If you've got the time," said Bridge. 
 
 Blaney led the way into the house, and mo- 
 tioned Bridge to a scat in the parlor. He him- 
 self paused in the hall to swing Louise up to 
 his shoulder and down again. 
 
 "What's the matter with you to-night.?" he 
 acked. " You don't seem to want to play. Are 
 you sick } " 
 
 " A little," answered the child. " I'm kind 
 of tired, and my head hurts." 
 
 He ran his thick hand through her red curls, 
 and looked at her anxiously for a moment. 
 Then he followed Bridge into the parlor. 
 
 " What can I do for you, Bridge > " he asked 
 gruffly. 
 
 Bridge hesitated a moment ; then he said, 
 
 " Jim Weeks was in town this mornino- " 
 
 &■ 
 
 r?laney looxced up sharply, and asked, *'' Did 
 you see him ? '* 
 
A Politician 
 
 145 
 
 "Yes," answered the other. "That is, he 
 came down to see me. You know the M. & T. 
 election is coming pretty soon now, and he got 
 the idea that our stock was going to be voted 
 against him. He wanted me to fix it up so 
 things would go his way in the Council, and I 
 told him that I'd do what I could. I came 
 around to you to see if your crowd were going 
 to do anything about it." 
 
 The coolness of the inquiry almost stupefied 
 Blaney, but he managed to speak. 
 
 " I'd like to know," he said, " what business 
 that is of yours, anyway." 
 
 '• It's my business, right enough," said Bridge, 
 easily. " I could ask the same question in 
 Council meeting, but I thought it was best to 
 talk it over with you quietly. There isn't any 
 good in trying to fight Jim Weeks, and I should 
 think you'd know it. If ever a man had a 
 cinch — " 
 
 " What are you up to, anyhow ? " demanded 
 Blaney, no.v thoroughly exasperated. "Did 
 you come around here to try to bulldoze me } 
 Well, I'll just tell you you may as well save 
 your breath. Do you understand that ^ Weeks 
 thinks he can come his old bluff down here, 
 
 i 
 
 m 
 
 » I- 
 
146 
 
 The Short Line War 
 
 y\ 
 
 '= !^' 
 
 '5' ,".■ 
 
 ll J, 
 
 i4 
 
 mi\ 
 
 ■ I 
 
 but he's going to get fooled just once. We've 
 got the backing that'll beat him. That's all 
 I've got to say to you." 
 
 " Well. I've got a little more to say to you," 
 said Bridge. " I came around here on my own 
 hook to find out whether you were just making 
 your regular bluff or whether you meant to 
 fight, and I've found out. And now I'm going 
 to give you your choice. I'll either give you 
 the hottest scrap you ever had, and make what 
 I can out of Wcks by it, or I'll go in with you 
 so you can get your deal through quietly. You 
 can take your choice." 
 
 " What the devil do you mean .? " 
 " I mean just this. That if there's any pos- 
 sible show of kicking that damned bully out of 
 here so that he'll never come back, I'd like to 
 be in it. And I guess my services would be 
 valuable." 
 
 "Look here," demanded Blaney, sharply. 
 What have you got against Weeks ? " 
 " What have I got against him ? " repeated 
 Bridge. His face was flushed and his shining 
 eyes and clenched hands testified to his excite- 
 ment. " Hasn't he made me pull his hot chest- 
 nuts off the fire for the last two years ? Hasn't 
 
*1l 
 
 A Politician 
 
 H7 
 
 . We've 
 :hafs all 
 
 to you," 
 my own 
 making 
 neant to 
 m going 
 ?ivc you 
 ke what 
 vith you 
 y. You 
 
 ny pos- 
 r out of 
 I like to 
 3uld be 
 
 harply. 
 
 ipeated 
 
 shining 
 
 excite- 
 
 chest- 
 
 Hasn't 
 
 he held me up and made me pay a good rake- 
 off from every deal I've been lucky enoiipjh to 
 make a little on ? And hasn't he loaned me 
 money until I don't dare sign my own name 
 without asking him if I can do it, and — " He 
 stopped as though knowing he had gone too 
 far ; then he laughed nervously. " It's all 
 right what I've got against him ; that\=; my 
 bv.J^ess, I guess, but — " 
 
 Agatn the unfiiiishcd sentence was eloquent. 
 
 This time it was IManey who broke th? 
 si*' iice. " I guess," he said cautiously, "that v 
 you want to tip Weeks over, you'll find there'll 
 be some to help you." 
 
 Bridge laughed bitterly. " There are plenty 
 who'd be glad enough to do it if they could. 
 He's had his grip on all of us long enough for 
 that ; but I'm afraid it's no good. We can't 
 beat him. He's got us in a vise." 
 
 *' I don't know about that," said Blaney. 
 
 "Why, man," exclaimed the other, "what 
 can we do } And if we try to buck him and got 
 left, he'll squeeze the life out of us. You know 
 that." 
 
 Blaney did know that, and Bridge's words 
 brought certain unpleasant consequences plainly 
 
 
 
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148 
 
 The Short Line War 
 
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 before his mind. All the while Bridge was 
 talking Blaney had been trying to find out what 
 his motive was. He had always believed that 
 Bridge was hand and glove with Weeks, and at 
 the beginning he had suspected a trap. But 
 what Bridge had said was entirely plausible ; 
 he had given himself away without reserve, and 
 had frankly confessed that Weeks had been 
 driving him. Bridge would be a valuable ally 
 in the scheme Blan-y wanted to put through. 
 Jim was popular in Tillman, and if he were to\c 
 sold out to a corporation like C. & S. C, it would 
 as Bridge had hinted, be well for all parties 
 concerned in the transfer that it should be 
 accomplished as quietly as possible. Bridge 
 was at the head of a compact and determined 
 mmority, and if he opposed the deal, he could 
 make matters very uncomfortable for Blaney and 
 his henchmen. But with Bridge on his side the 
 field was clear and there could be no doubt as 
 to the success of the scheme. The one thing 
 that troubled Blaney was that Bridge might de*'- 
 mand money; but there was no need of facino- 
 that issue yet, for Bridge had apparently not 
 thought of it. "He's just getting even for 
 something," thought Blaney. 
 
^L,i 
 
 A Politician 
 
 149 
 
 There was a long silence, which Blaney broke 
 at last. 
 
 "We don't have to buck him all by ourselves," 
 he said. "We're well backed. C. & S. C. are 
 behind us. Are you with us .'' " 
 
 Bridge answered him steadily. " I've been 
 waiting for a chance like this for a year," he 
 said. "You can count me in for all I'm worth." 
 
 He rose to go and held out his hand to 
 Blaney. "Good night," he said, "and good 
 luck to us." 
 
 "So long," was the answer. "I'll come 
 around in a day or two, and we can arrange 
 details." 
 
 The interview had been a hard one for Bridge, 
 and it left him weak and nervous. When he 
 sat down to supper at his boarding-house table 
 that evening he had no appetite. He went to 
 bed early, but he did not sleep well, and the next 
 morning found him exhausted by the intermi- 
 nable hours of dozing, uneasy half-consciousness. 
 He spent the next day in hoping that Blaney 
 would come, though he had no reason for ex- 
 pecting him so soon, and by night he was in 
 worse condition than ever. He would have 
 gone again to sec Blaney had he dared, but he 
 
 
 !; 
 
!Mt5ll;j II 
 
 in.. 
 
 150 
 
 The Short Line War 
 
 felt that such a proceeding would imperil the 
 whole affair ; he must wait for Blaney to make 
 the next move. 
 
 Day followed day with no variation save that 
 Bridge found the delay more and more nearly un- 
 bearable, and the week had dragged to an end 
 and another begun before anything happened. 
 On Sunday afternoon he started out for a walk, 
 but he had not gone far when he met Blaney! 
 To his surprise, the contractor looked as though 
 the past week had been as hard for him as it 
 had been for Bridge. His face looked thin and 
 his eyes sunken and there were bristling uneven 
 patches of sandy beard on his face. When he 
 came up to Bridge he stopped. 
 
 " I suppose you've been looking for me," he 
 said. "I've been staying right at home taking 
 care of my kid ; she's had the scarlet fever." 
 
 " Louise } " asked Bridge, with real concern. 
 " I hope she's better." 
 
 " I guess she'll pull through all right now," 
 answered Blaney, " but he's been pretty sick, 
 and it's kept me busy night and day. You see 
 my wife can't do much at nursing. But I tell 
 you scarlet fever is no joke." 
 
 "I never had it," was the answer, "but I'm 
 
 
 : . I- 
 
A Politician 
 
 151 
 
 glad it's come out all right. By the way," he 
 went on, as Blaney started to walk away, " when 
 will you be able to talk over that business with 
 me ? " 
 
 "Why, now as well as at any time, I suppose," 
 said Blaney, after a moment's hesitation. 
 
 The contractor had an office near by, and at his 
 suggestion they went there for their conference. 
 
 *' How many men can you count .'' " he asked 
 when they were seated. 
 
 Now that the period of forced inaction was 
 over, and there was something important to do, 
 Bridge forgot that his head was burning and 
 his throat dry, and for the first time in three 
 days he was able to think consecutively. For 
 half an hour they figured their united strength 
 and talked over the individual members of the 
 Council. But at last Bridge said : — 
 
 "Before we go any further, I want to know 
 more about this business. I've taken your 
 word so far that we would be backed up all 
 right, and 1 hope we are. But I can't afford to 
 be beaten, and if Weeks isn't clean busted up, 
 he'll hound me to death. I've got to know 
 more about this business." 
 
 Blaney looked out of the window. " Seems 
 
 
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 152 
 
 77^(f S/iorl Line War 
 
 to me you're pretty late with that talk about not 
 going in," he said. 
 
 " I know I've committed myself to some ex- 
 tent without knowing just what I was getting 
 into," answered Bridge, "but I won't go any 
 farther till some things are cleared up." 
 
 "What do you want to know.?" asked 
 Blaney. 
 
 " I want to know what you're going to do. 
 Voting that stock against Weeks won't do 
 any good. We can't get him out all by our- 
 selves." 
 
 " We aren't all by ourselves. C. & S. C. are 
 with us." 
 
 " That's what I'm trying to get at. To what 
 extent are they with us .? " 
 
 Blaney hesitated. It had not been a part of 
 his plan to tell of the prospective sale of the 
 stock. He had meant to have the Council direct 
 the voting of the stock for C. & S. C. faction, 
 and then wh.n they had committed themselves 
 by this act, to urge upon them tiie necessity of 
 selling out and to tempt them with the offer of 
 par. But a glance at Bridge's set face con- 
 vinced him that the new ally meant what he 
 said, and he knew too much already for the 
 
 ■ \ 
 
A Politician 
 
 153 
 
 safety of the scheme unless he were further- 
 ing it. 
 
 "They're with us to this extent," said Blaney, 
 slowly. ** They're going to buy our stock." 
 
 "That's all rot," said Bridge. "We can't 
 sell. M. & T.'s a good investment now, and 
 it's getting better every day." 
 
 " Wait till I get through," interrupted Blaney, 
 bent now on making an impression. " Don't 
 you think the Council would vote to sell at par .? " 
 
 "What's that got to do with it.?" 
 
 " C & S. C. are going to pay par, that's all." 
 
 Bridge looked at him incredulously. " Then 
 we're to vote the stock as they dictate, just on 
 the strength of their telling us they'll pay par 
 for it afterward. I'm afraid it'll be a long time 
 afterward. How do you know they aren't play- 
 ing us for suckers } " 
 
 " How do we know .<* " repeated Blaney. 
 " I'm not quite as green as you think. I know 
 because I've got it down in black and white. 
 They can't get around a contract like that." 
 
 Unlocking a drawer in his desk, he drew out 
 a sheet of paper which he thrust into Bridge's 
 hands. " Read it," he said. 
 
 Bridge read it through once and then again ; 
 
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 154 
 
 77^<f 5//^;'/ Line War 
 
 it was briefly worded, and he had no difficulty in 
 remembering it. As he laid the paper down he 
 was conscious of a violent vhrobbing in his head, 
 and he shivered as though an icy breeze had 
 blown upon him. FLi rose uiicertainly from his 
 chair and moved toward the door. 
 
 "What's the matter?" demanded Blaney. 
 " W lie re are you going ? " 
 
 "I dont feel very well," said Bridge. "I 
 think I'll go home ana go to bed." 
 
 When he reached the foot of the stairs, how- 
 ever, he turned not toward his room, but toward 
 the railway station ; for in his mind there was a 
 confused purpose of going to Chicago immedi- 
 ately and telling Jim Weeks exactly what he 
 had found out. 
 
 Scarlet fever is not ordinarily a man's disease, 
 but it had fallen upon Bridge. He had exposed 
 himself to it on the evening when he went to 
 Blaney's house to make the preHminary move in 
 his game ; and now after the five days of tense 
 inaction it attacked him furiously. 
 
 He was in a raging fever when he left Blaney's 
 office, but he did not reahze it, borne up as he 
 was by the excitement of winning. There could 
 be no doubt that he had done as good a stroke 
 
 iiS 
 
 i 
 
A Politician 
 
 I" 
 D3 
 
 of work for himself as for Jim Weeks, for Jim 
 was not the man to let the merit of his lieuten- 
 ants go unrecognized. He felt sure that Jim 
 would win the fight, even with C. & S. C. against 
 him, and though he had not recognized the worth- 
 lessness of the contract Blaney held, he was con- 
 fident that Jim could use his knowledge of the 
 existence of such a contract with telling effect. 
 
 As he walked on, the exhilaration of his tri- 
 umph died out of him, and his steps faltered 
 and his sight became untrustworthy. He real- 
 ized that he was not fit for travelling, and reluc- 
 tantly he turned back to his room. He was a 
 long time in reaching it, and when he staggered 
 in and dropped into an easy-chair he knew that 
 he was a very sick man. With a foreboding 
 of the delirium that was coming upon him he 
 gathered himself together for a final effort and 
 scrawled a copy of the contract upon a slip of 
 paper. With shaking hands he folded it and 
 crammed it into an inner pocket ; then he rose 
 and moved slowly toward the bed. He fell 
 twice in the short distance, but he kept on, and 
 his head sank back in the pillows before con- 
 sciousness forsook him. 
 
 4't 
 
 
 h': 
 
 ■■f,' 
 \l\l 
 

 CHAPTER XII 
 
 ifi. 
 
 M-ll, 
 
 KATHERINE 
 
 As Katherine drove home alone on Sunday 
 morning she was troubled. In aiding Harvey 
 to catch the train for Manchester she had acted 
 upon the veriest impulse, and Katherine liked 
 to imagine herself a very cool and self-possessed 
 young woman. Slowly it dawned upon her that 
 by helping Harvey she had set her hand against 
 her own father. In an impersonal way she had 
 realized this, but Harvey's presence had filled 
 her thoughts, and she had not allowed herself 
 time to consider. And now that the cooler after- 
 thoughts had come she was almost as indignant 
 with herself for showing such open interest in 
 Harvey as for hurting her father's cause. Then 
 she grew startled to realize that even in her 
 thoughts she was placing this man before her 
 father. Harvey was not a fool. He would see 
 that she had been disloyal, and he would cease 
 
 156 
 
Katherine 
 
 157 
 
 to respect her. She wondered if she was 
 disloyal. 
 
 On reaching home she hurried to her room 
 and sat down by the open window, looking out 
 over the lawn that sloped down to the road. 
 Harvey would think her weak, and would feel 
 that he could sway her from her strongest duty. 
 
 The day was bright. Far in the distance she 
 could see a bend of the river. There was no 
 sound, no life; the rolling country stretched 
 away in idle waves, the checkered farms lay 
 quiet in the sun, over all was the calm of 
 a country Sunday. Her eyes wandered and 
 she closed them, resting her fingers on the 
 lids. Life was serious to Katherine. Since her 
 early teens she had lived without n mother, and 
 the result of her forced indepciidence was a 
 pronounced and early womanhood. She had 
 learned her lessons from experience and had 
 learned them with double force. She had never 
 been in love, and save for a very few youthful 
 flutterings had never given the idea a concrete 
 form ; and now that she should manifest such 
 weakness before Harvey partly alarmed her. 
 She suspected that he loved her, but would not 
 permit herself to return it. She knew too little 
 
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 158 
 
 The Short TAnc War 
 
 
 r\M'S 
 
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 6i- 
 
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 I %t\ 
 
 about him, and, besides, her first duty was with 
 her father. She had yielded to impulse, but it 
 was not too late to reconsider. She had aided 
 the enemy by a positive act ; she would do as 
 much for her father. With firm eyes she rose 
 and went downstairs, fully decided to inves- 
 ti-ratj . .^ matter until she could discover a 
 means of throwing her energy against Weeks 
 and Harvey. 
 
 During the next two days her determination 
 grew. Mr. Porter was in Chicago and Man- 
 chester, and was not expected home immedi- 
 ately, so Katherine had plenty of time for 
 thinking. She drove a great deal, went around 
 the links every morn^'n -, and tried to read. It 
 did not occur to her that her effort - as not so 
 much to side with her duty is to crowd down 
 the thoughts of Harvey that would ; .al into 
 her mind. Siic permitted herself no leewa- 
 the matter, but kept resolutely to her decision. 
 
 " uesday afternoon she drove until quite late, 
 and returning found her father and McNally 
 awa'Hng dins er. Although she was quicker 
 than usual in hev efforts to entertain their 
 guest, the meal was hurried and uncomfortable, 
 'he- in repose McIn ally's face was clouded, 
 
 
Ka the vine 
 
 159 
 
 and the occasional spells of interest into which 
 he somewhat studiously aroused himself could 
 not CO. '^eal his general inattention. Her father, 
 too, was preoccupied, and was so abrupt in his 
 conversation as to leave small . rac of th(^ easy 
 lightness of manner that Katherine had always 
 known. 
 
 After dinner Katherine excused herself, and 
 stepped out through the long window that 
 opened on the veranda. Evidently a crisis 
 »iad come, and she wished that an o})portunity 
 would arise through which she might join their 
 discussion. Just outside of the libraiy w.udow 
 she sat down on a steamer chair and gazed up 
 at the dark masses of the trees, the thinning 
 tops of which were at once darkened and relieved 
 by the last red of the western sky. 
 
 " Yes, Porter, they kicked me out. My 
 men and I made a stiff fight for it, but they 
 outnumbered us." 
 
 At the sound of McN ally's voice Katherine 
 started guiltily. It had not occurred to her that 
 the matter wou be discussed downstairs ; 
 usually her father's private conversations were 
 held in his den on the second floor. She won- 
 dered whether she ought make herself known. 
 
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 1 60 
 
 T/ie Short Line War 
 
 J9IIJJ. 
 
 
 Then she heard McNally again, answering a 
 low-spoken question from her father. 
 
 •' He was a good man, or perhaps you would 
 call him a bad one. He was just getting down 
 to work on the vault door when West and his 
 gang of Pinkertuns broke in on him and nailed 
 him." 
 
 Another question from Porter. 
 
 "No, Porter, they are on to us now. You 
 see, the books are gone, and there's no use 
 in trying to get hold of that end of the road ; 
 but we can seize it from this cud and get every- 
 thing except their building." 
 
 With cheeks burning and with conscience 
 troubling, Katherine rose and stood before the 
 window. 
 
 •• I didn't intend to put myself in your way," 
 she said, laughing nervously, "but I couldn't 
 help hearing." 
 
 Looking in through the dim light Katherine 
 thought she saw McNally start. After a brief 
 but embarrassing pause Porter spoke, using the 
 tone Katherine associated with the stern but 
 kindly rebukes of her childhood. 
 
 •• Did you hear all we said, Katherine ? " 
 
 "Most of it, I'm afraid." 
 
Katherine 
 
 F' 
 
 " You understand, dear, that this is very 
 confidential business ? " 
 
 "Yes, dad." With an inpulsive start Kath- 
 erine seated herself on the low sill of the window 
 and clasped her hands in hjr lap. " I wish you 
 would let me talk it over with you. You know 
 I am interested in your affairs, dad. And," 
 hesitatingly, "maybe I can help you." 
 
 For a space all three were silent. Katherine 
 was leaning back in a pose that brought out all 
 her unconscious beauty. The waning light fell 
 full upon her, and the sunset seemed to be 
 faintly reflected in her face. Her hair was 
 coiled above her forehead in easy disorder. 
 
 McNally, sitting back in the shadow, looked 
 fixedly at her, and as he looked it seemed to 
 him that her beauty spiced the atmosphere. 
 He found himself drawing in his breath keenly 
 and almost audibly, and gripping the arms of 
 the ea.sy-chair : with a sudden half-amused feel- 
 ing of boyishness he relaxed his grip and leaned 
 back comfortably. It was some time since the 
 introspective Mr. McNally had found it neces- 
 sary to reprove himself for such a slip of de- 
 meanor. 
 
 " I couldn't help seemg what was going on," 
 

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 162 
 
 The Short Line War 
 
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 K!v 
 
 
 continued Katherine. "And you told me the 
 other day that I had helped you some." She 
 turned appealingly toward her father, who sat 
 with head lowered, scowling at the carpet. 
 McNally broke the pause. 
 
 "There is very little we can tell you. Miss 
 Katherine. A business matter of this importance 
 is too complicated for any one who has not 
 grown up with the problems. It would involve 
 the history of two railroads for years back." 
 
 " Why is it," asked Katherine, earnestly, " that 
 a man never credits a woman with common 
 sense .? I am not blind. I know that the M. & T. 
 is a feeder to C. & S. C, that it supplies us with 
 coal, and that we could earn and save money 
 by making it a part of our system. Mr. Weeks 
 is fighting us for some reason, and we are plan- 
 ning to force the question. Isn't that so > " 
 
 " Where did you learn this, Katherine .? " asked 
 her father. 
 
 " From no one particular source. You have 
 told me a great deal yourself, dad." 
 
 "The question is, Miss Katherine," McNally 
 said, " what good could you possibly do.? With- 
 out implying any doubt of your ability, you see 
 our course is already mapped out for us by cir- 
 
Katherine 
 
 163 
 
 cumstances. In fact, there is only one way open 
 that leads to a logical outcome. If we were in 
 a position where we needed tactful advice, you 
 could undoubtedly be of help, but just now what 
 we want is a force of strong, aggressive men." 
 
 "Mr. McNally is right, dear," said Porter. 
 "Everything is decided, and all we can do is 
 to tend to business. This Weeks is following 
 rather a dishonorable course, and we arc pre- 
 pared to meet him ; that is all." 
 
 Katherine leaned forward and twisted the 
 curtain string around her finger. 
 
 " Is he really dishonest } " she asked. 
 
 "Well, dear, that is a hard question. No man 
 has a right to condemn another without careful 
 deliberation ; but it happens that many business 
 dealings savor a little of underhand methods, 
 and it looks to us as though Mr. Weeks were 
 not over particular." 
 
 "What has he done.?" 
 
 "Well, you see, dear — " 
 
 Katherine broke in with unusual warmth. 
 " Oh, I know what you are going to say. Some 
 more complications that I couldn't understand. 
 Why won't you tell me t " 
 
 Porter arose. 
 
 V^ 
 
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 r, { 
 
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 164 
 
 The Short Line War 
 
 "We'll talk this over at some other time, 
 Katherine. I have an appointment with Judge 
 Black for this evening, but I will be back before 
 long." He added to McxNally, " He came in 
 on the 8.25. I'll leave you with Katherine." 
 
 When he had gone there was a silence. 
 Katherine felt that her father's absence should 
 alter the tone of the conversation, but she 
 waited for McNally to take the initiative. 
 ^ "What a glorious night," he said at length, 
 rising and coming to the window. "Did you 
 ever see such a lingering afterglow ? Suppose 
 we sit outside." 
 
 Katherine rose and made room for McNally 
 to step through the open window. Together 
 they walked across the veranda, McNally seat- 
 ing himself on the railing, Katherine leaning 
 against one of the stone columns. 
 
 " How long have you been ambitious to be a 
 business woman. Miss Katherine } " 
 
 " I hardly wish that. Only I like to share 
 father's interests." 
 
 "Do you know, I like it. I like to see a 
 woman show an independent interest in im- 
 portant affairs. Nowadays not only young 
 girls but women of position seem to care for 
 
 
Katherine 
 
 165 
 
 nothing but the frivolous. I don't know but 
 what our pioneer ancestors got more out of life, 
 when the woman and her husband worked side 
 by side." 
 
 "Will you tell me about the M. & T. busi- 
 ness, Mr. McNally .? " 
 
 "I hardly feel that I can, Miss Katherine. 
 To my mind that rests with your father." 
 
 " Probably it does, but father still thinks me a 
 child. He thinks I cannot grasp the situation." 
 
 " Even if I felt at liberty to discuss it, I don't 
 know what I could tell you beyond a mere re- 
 cital of dry detail. Personally, I should like to 
 do so. Miss Katherine ; I honestly admire your 
 independence, and I believe that you might 
 even be able to suggest some helpful ideas, but 
 business does not concern itself with the per- 
 sonal equation." 
 
 Katherine looked thoughtfully at McNally's 
 shadowed face. She was a little surprised with 
 herself that she should so persist, but it did not 
 occur to her to stop. Deep behind her desire 
 to be honest with her father was a desire to 
 prove that Harvey was, after all, in the right. 
 She did not recognize this, she did not even 
 know it, but Harvey's Dcrsonalitv had taken on 
 
 
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 The Short Litf^ War 
 
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 hers a vital grip that was as yet too strong, too 
 firm, too close at hand to be realized. As for 
 McNally, his intention to evade was too evident 
 to be overlooked. He was dodging at every 
 turn, and it was becoming clear to her that he 
 was concealing facts which it would not do to 
 disclose. And this suggested that her father 
 was doing the same. The bit of conversation 
 she had overheard came back to her, and as 
 she thought it over it sounded odder than when 
 she had first heard it. Why should her father 
 wish to seize the road.? If it belonged to Mr. 
 Weeks, and if he did not care to sell, what right 
 had her father or any one else to take it by 
 force .!* She had been looking out over the 
 lawn, but now she turned and fixed her eyes 
 intently on McN?lly's plump, smooth-shaven 
 face. He was looking toward her, but seemed 
 not to see her. Instead there was the shadow 
 of a smile in his eyes which suggested air- 
 castles. 
 
 "Mr. McNally," she said abruptly, "if we 
 want the M. & T. road, why don't we buy it and 
 pay for it.?" 
 
 McNally started. During the long silence he 
 had been feasting on Katherine's beauty. He 
 
 11 
 
Katherine 
 
 167 
 
 was not a young man, but as he gazed at the 
 earnest young face before him, and at the masses 
 of shining hair, half in shadow, half in light, he 
 felt a sudden loneliness, a sudden realization of 
 what such a woman could be to him, what an 
 influence she might have upon his life. And 
 losing for the moment the self-poise that was 
 his proudest accomplishment, Mr. McNally 
 stammered. 
 
 "Oh," he said, "we couldn't — it wouldn't 
 do — " 
 
 From the change in every line of Katherine's 
 pose he knew that he had said enough. She 
 had turned half away from him and was stand- 
 ing rigid, looking out into the night. Glancing 
 at her dimly outlined profile, McNally could see 
 that her lips were pressed closely together. He 
 pulled himself together and stood up. 
 
 "Why not go in and have some music.'' " he 
 asked. "This conversation is too serious for 
 such an evening." 
 
 Katherine bowed and led the way into the 
 house. As they passed through the library 
 toward the piano she paused to turn the electric- 
 light key. With the flood of light Katherine's 
 ease returned, and she laughed lightly as she 
 
 r 
 
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i68 
 
 The Short Line War 
 
 
 I V 
 
 J ; 
 
 xm 
 
 i\ 
 
 Mm 
 
 pointed to a gaudily decorated sheet of music 
 on the piano. 
 
 " Shocking, isn't it ? " she said. " That's the 
 kind of music we play down here in the 
 country. We need your influence to keep us 
 from degenerating musically. Play me some- 
 thing good." 
 
 McNally glanced at her with a laugh. 
 
 " Coon songs, eh } " he replied. " Well, some 
 of them aren't so bad." He sat down at the 
 instrument and let his hands slip over the keys. 
 Katherine sank upon the broad couch in the 
 corner. She was apparently her old self, 
 friendly and interested in Tvlr. McNally and his 
 music, but there was nevertheless a distinct 
 change. McNally felt the difference and tried 
 to throw it off, but the force of the situation 
 grew upon him. Slowly he realized that in 
 spite of her pretensions she was not really in 
 sympathy either with him or with her father. 
 He struck into a Liszt rhapsody with all the 
 fervor he could muster. 
 
 McNally was a good musician. He possessed 
 the power, lacking in many better pianists, of 
 using music as a medium to connect his own 
 and his listener's moods; but to-night he fell 
 
 
Katherine 
 
 169 
 
 short, and he knew it. He stole a glance at 
 ^ Katherine. She looked exactly as usual, but 
 still there was a difference that baffled him. 
 He threw all his art into the music. He 
 labored to color it with sincerity and strength. 
 But all the while he knew that the ground was 
 lost. What he did not know was that Kather- 
 ine was passing through a crisis, and that her 
 thoughts were miles away from him and his 
 rhapsody. He ended with unusual brillfancy, 
 and she smiled with pleasure and thanked him 
 simply, but still he felt the change. Then Por- 
 ter came in, and after a brief general conver- 
 sation Katherine withdrew. 
 
 She did not go at once to her room. Instead, 
 she slipped out on the little second-floor bal- 
 cony and sat down to be alone and to think. 
 She had made an honest effort to throw her 
 interest with her father and with what she 
 believed to be her duty, and now that the even- 
 ing was gone she had nothing to show for it. 
 For a very few moments she wondered at it 
 all, and at the fate which seemed to draw her 
 toward Harvey. Then, as the thought of him 
 again took concrete form, and as the last two 
 uays with him came back to her mind, her 
 
 Ir 
 
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 ■■i!!i; 
 
 170 
 
 T/ie Short Line War 
 
 whole heart went out to him, and she was 
 startled, frightened at the strength of his hold 
 upon her. For a moment she gave herself up 
 to dreams, dreams of a better, sweeter existence 
 than any she had dared to imagine, then came 
 the thought of her father, and Katherine broke 
 down. 
 
 Downstairs, McNally and Porter sat for a 
 long time with only a desultory conversation. 
 Then McNally said, — 
 
 " Porter, I envy you a daughter like that." 
 '• She is a good girl," Porter replied. 
 
 * ( 
 ^ Mi 
 
CHAPTER XIII 
 
 TRAIN NO. 14 
 
 The fight for the possession of the Man- 
 chester and Truesdalc Railroad divides itself 
 naturally into two acts. During the first week, 
 while it would be absurd to say that the acts 
 of either side were legal, all the proceedings 
 had worn the cloak of law. But now matters 
 had come to a deadlock. Judge Grey was both 
 able and willing to undo any or all of the 
 acts of Judge Black, and conversely. The last 
 event of the first act was the attempt on Tues- 
 day morning of the C. & S. C. people, armed 
 with writs from Black, to seize the books of the 
 company. They were courteously received and 
 the vaults were thrown open to their inspection ; 
 but as the books had been spirited away the 
 night before, the search was fruitless. Porter 
 and McNally had been beaten at their own 
 game, and they withdrew their forces to Trues- 
 
 171 
 
 1 1 
 
172 
 
 The Short Line M ir 
 
 m 
 
 ii . 
 
 ;^ 
 
 SI I 
 
 ■ I 
 
 1 
 < 
 
 V 
 
 I I 
 
 i 
 
 f-. 
 
 (" 
 
 dale. The fight was to be kept up on other 
 lines. 
 
 Wednesday morning, No. 7 on the C. & S. C. 
 brought down a much larger number of pas- 
 sengers for Tiuesdalc than ordinarily came 
 on that train. They climbed down to the 
 station platform from different cars, and re- 
 garded each other with studied indifference, 
 but there was something homogeneous about 
 the crowd that drew upon it the frankest stares 
 of the station loafers. There were no women 
 or children among them, they carried no bai;- 
 gage, and there was an air about them, care- 
 fully repressed but still (Mscernible, which 
 suggested that if any one were looking for 
 trouble they were the men to whom to apply. 
 They seemed to be trying to attract as little 
 attention as possible, but they were followed 
 by many curious glances, as they straggled in 
 a long irregular line up the street toward the 
 Truesdale Hotel. 
 
 Katherine had driven into town that morning, 
 and from her high trap she watched the spec- 
 tacle with amused interest. Seeing McNally 
 coming out of the hotel office she pulled up her 
 horses and nodded to him with a peremptory 
 
IP 
 
 Train No, 14 
 
 ^71 
 
 on other 
 
 ' & S. C 
 
 r of pas 
 ily came 
 n to the 
 , and re- 
 ifferencc, 
 )us cibout 
 est stares 
 10 women 
 1 no ba":- 
 em, care- 
 e, which 
 3king for 
 to apply, 
 t as little 
 followed 
 aggled in 
 )ward the 
 
 ; morning, 
 
 the spec- 
 
 McNally 
 
 led up her 
 
 ercmptory 
 
 J 
 
 '-m 
 
 cordiality which left mm no escape from com- 
 ing lo speak to he . 
 
 "So war is declared," she said la ighingly, 
 nodding toward the rear guard who were dis- 
 appearing in the hotel nitrancc. "I see you 
 are massing your troops. Is that the entire 
 army, or only a division.^" 
 
 McNallv ' ' to utter a protest, but she 
 went on ur ling. " I think they're too 
 absurdly com ..al for words. They try so hard 
 to look as if they weren't spoiling for a fight." 
 
 " Miss Porter," said McNally, seriously, 
 "your father's interests are at stake now and 
 we must be discreet." 
 
 " I suppose so," she .said ; " but really those 
 men are irresistibly funny." 
 
 She gathered' up the reins and the horses 
 started, but as they moved away she turned 
 and called back to him, — 
 
 "Be sure and come out to luncheon — that 
 is, if you don't go to the front." 
 
 The words troubled McNally. Only two 
 days before he had been dragged out of his 
 hiding-place in the Manchester station and 
 kicked downstairs. This experience still oc- 
 cupied a large place in his thoughts, and he 
 
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MICROCOPY RESOLUTION TEST CHART 
 
 (ANSI and ISO TEST CHART No. 2) 
 
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 16S3 East Main Street 
 
 Rochester, New York 14609 USA 
 
 (716) 482 - 0300 - Phone 
 
 (716) 288 - 5989 - !^ax 
 
( ill 
 
 11 
 
 174 
 
 The Short Lme War 
 
 ( 
 (' ) 
 
 
 took Katherine's remark as a reflection on his 
 personal courage. Though he had no idea 
 of "going to the front," he decided not to go 
 to the Porters' for luncheon. 
 
 All that morning new people kept streaming 
 into Truesdale. No. 22 brought in McDowell, 
 a division superintendent on the C. & S. C, 
 and other less important employees of the 
 same road came in on every train. All over 
 the city was the exciting premonition that 
 something was going to happen. The army, 
 as Katherine had called it, was reenforced by 
 two fresh detachments brought in on the C. & 
 S. C. from no one knew just where, but they 
 were carefully guarded from being too muc'.i 
 in evidence, and there was not the least dis- 
 order. When noon came and nothing had 
 happened the tension relaxed a little, and the 
 town returned to its accustomed quiet. 
 
 At the M. & T. station, however, the excite- 
 ment increased, manifesting itself in many ways. 
 The trains came in and went out on their sched- 
 uled time, and the routine work went on without 
 variation, but there was a nervous alertness evi- 
 dent everywhere. Train crews stood in little 
 knois about the platform and yards, speculating 
 
 Iki 
 
Train No. 14 
 
 175 
 
 about the fight whose issue meant much to each 
 of them, but in which they had not as yet been 
 able to take a part. At one forty-five No. 14, 
 which leaves Truesdale at two o'clock for Till- 
 man City, St. Johns, and Manchester, backed 
 down to the station to take on its passengers. 
 Carse, the conductor, stood near the cab talking 
 to the engineer and the fireman, keeping all the 
 while an eye on the passengers. 
 
 "We're getting a big crowd to-day," he ob- 
 served. " That's McDowell of the C. & S. C. 
 getting in the rear coach there. He's a mean 
 brute. Ain't you glad we ain't under him, 
 Downs .? " 
 
 The engineer nodded emphatically, and climb- 
 ing down from the cab, stood beside the con- 
 ductor. "Seems to me," he said, "there are 
 a lot of C. & S. C. boys taking this train. 
 I've spotted three or four already." 
 
 " Say," exclaimed Carse, " do you suppose 
 they're going back to Manchester to have an- 
 other shot at the old man .? I brought them 
 back from there yesterday on No. 5, and they 
 were the sickest crowd you ever saw. The old 
 man can p-ive them iust about all thcv want." 
 
 He paused and glanced at his watch. " We 
 
 p. ft 
 
i 'i 
 
 Hi: 
 
 1^' 
 
 III: 
 
 176 
 
 The Short Line War 
 
 If :i 
 
 P .a. 
 
 pull out in thirty seconds," he said And pt 
 two o'clock No. 14 started northward on what 
 was to prove a most eventful run in the history 
 of the M. & T. The train rattled over the yard 
 switches, slid creaking under the brakes down 
 to the river, rumbled across the bridge, and then 
 toiled up the first of the long grades between 
 Truesdale and Sawyerville. 
 
 Carse was collecting tickets in the second car 
 when suddenly it thrilled and trembled, and the 
 train, with grinding squealing brakes, came to 
 a stop. The conductor was all but ihrown from 
 his feet, but he staggered to the platform, and 
 leaping down ran toward the engine, followed 
 by an excited crowd of passengers. 
 
 "What's the matter.?" he demanded of 
 Downs, whom he found clambering out of the 
 cab. 
 
 "That's what I wan^- - know," answered the 
 engineer. " Didn't yo._ .all the signal cord > " 
 
 " No," said Carse, looking puzzled. " I won- 
 der what's up." 
 
 At that moment a man came forward from 
 the group of passengers : it was McDowell. "I 
 signalled you to stop," he said. 
 
 Carse waited an instant for him to go on, 
 
 
 I 
 
Train No. 14 
 
 177 
 
 i And ?\. 
 rd on what 
 the history 
 er the yard 
 "akes down 
 e, and then 
 es between 
 
 second car 
 id, and the 
 s, came to 
 irown from 
 itform, and 
 le, followed 
 
 manded of 
 out of the 
 
 swered the 
 al cord ? " 
 
 . " I WOlx- 
 
 ward from 
 •owell. 'a 
 
 to go on, 
 
 and then asked impatiently, "Well, what's 
 wrong ? " 
 
 "Nothing that I know of," said McDowell, 
 easily. "I wanted the train to stop." 
 
 Carse stepped toward him angrily. " I don't 
 know whether you're drunk or not," he said, 
 " but that's a damned poor kind of a joke. 
 You'll find that out as soon as we get to 
 Sawyerville." 
 
 "Oh, no, I won't," said McDowell. "I'm 
 superintendent of this road, and the first thing 
 I'm going to do is to fire vou. Haven," — he 
 called to one of the group behind him, — " you 
 can take this train to Manchester." 
 
 Another man pushed into the circle. He 
 was Stewart, the sheriff of Evelyn County. 
 " Mr. McDowell is quite right. Mr. Frederick 
 McNally, the receiver of the road, appointed 
 him this morning. And I now serve on you a 
 writ from Judge Black — " 
 
 " See here," interrupted Carse, " are you 
 sheriff of Evelyn County or of the whole 
 United States 1 You'd better keep out of this ; 
 the county line's about half a mile back." 
 
 "We're wasting time," said McDowell, 
 shortly. "James and Mangan, take the en- 
 
 N 
 
 if 
 
 . ■ 
 
 i m 
 
if' 
 
 ! i 
 
 178 
 
 
 n f 
 
 iij 
 
 77/^ 5/^^r/ ZzV/t' JK 
 
 rt-r 
 
 if " 
 
 gine. We'll take charge of this train, sir, 
 county or no county." 
 
 "Not if I can help it," said Carse, under his 
 breath. Then shouting, "Get away, boys; 
 don't mind me," he sprang upon McDowell' 
 hitting out swift and hard, and in a second the 
 two men were clinched and rolling in the sand 
 Downs took the hint and, leaping into the cab, 
 let off the air brake and seized the throttle' 
 while Berg, his big fireman, wrenched free from 
 the two men who tried to hold him and rushed 
 toward the cab. For a moment it looked as 
 though No. 14 was going to get away. 
 
 But the first detachment of Mr. McNally's 
 army was not at hand for nothing. Berg was 
 pulled down from the step he had succeeded 
 m reaching, and a blow from behind stretched 
 him unconscious beside the track. Downs 
 caught up the shovel which lay at his feet 
 and brought it down hard on a man who was 
 chmbing over the tender ; then without turning 
 ho drove the handle squarely into the face of 
 another who was standing on the step and 
 trying to clutch his legs. But the odds were 
 too great, and in a moment he was rushed back 
 agamst the fire-box, and his arms were pinioned 
 
Traill No. 14. 
 
 179 
 
 train, sir, 
 
 , under his 
 •'ay, boys ; 
 McDowell, 
 second the 
 1 the sand, 
 to the cab, 
 e throttle, 
 free from 
 ind rushed 
 looked as 
 
 McNally's 
 Berg was 
 succeeded 
 stretched 
 Downs 
 his feet, 
 who was 
 t turning 
 e face of 
 step and 
 dds were 
 hed back 
 pinioned 
 
 , 
 
 fast. McDowell had been freed from his assail- 
 ant by two of his brawny supporters, and he 
 rose to his feet with some difficulty ; the blood 
 was streaming down his face, but he was quite 
 cool. Seeing that resistance w?- at an end, he 
 called to the men in the engine : — 
 
 " Let up on that man ; we don't want to kill 
 him. Bring him down here." 
 
 A moment later, he said : " Put bracelets on 
 all three of them and take them into the smoker. 
 Some -J you stay around and see that they don't 
 do any more mischief." Then turning to the 
 men he had already ordered to take charge of 
 the train, he said : " All right, boys, let her go. 
 We're nearly ten minutes late." 
 
 McNally's plans were well laid ; so well laid 
 that McDowell's mistake in not stopping the 
 train soon enough did not prevent their being 
 carried out successfully. The sheriff of Maiden 
 County had been told what was expected of him, 
 and he was waiting on the platform of the 
 Sawyerville station when No. 14 pulled in. 
 There had been no warning, there was no 
 possibility of resistance, and everything moved 
 as smoothly as clockwork. The writs were 
 served, the telegraph office seized, and the 
 
 
 % 
 
 i 
 
 
 fci '\ 'ill 
 
 
 I 
 
i8o 
 
 The Short Line War 
 
 [i !" 
 
 [t , 
 
 I 
 
 i 
 
 El 
 
 
 
 ji! 
 
 
 \ ' 
 
 M. & T. employees about the station replaced 
 by McDowell's "boys" almost before the dazed 
 incumbents knew what was happening. The 
 new telegraph operator wired to McNally, who 
 had already taken possession or the Truesdale 
 terminal, telling him briefly of the fight for the 
 train and the capture of Sawyerville. McNally 
 sent back brief instructions for the conduct of 
 the rest of the raid. They were told to make 
 no attempt to keep schedule time, but to go 
 slowly and cautiously, and to use as little vio- 
 lence as possible. Altogether McDowell had 
 reason to feel well satisfied when he came out 
 on the station platform ready to take his train 
 on its unique journey up the road. 
 
 There stood near him a number of passengers 
 gathered in an excited group, discussing the 
 fight, the delay of the train, and the somewhat 
 remote chance of getting to Manchester. One 
 of them, a very stout man with deep-set, watery 
 eyes and a florid complexion, recognized the 
 Superintendent and turned to him. 
 
 "Are we likely to have to wait as long as 
 this at every station V he asked. 
 
 " I guess so," answered McDowell, shortly. 
 
 "This is an outrage," exclaimed the other, 
 
Train No. 14 
 
 181 
 
 n replaced 
 2 the dazed 
 ing. The 
 Nally, who 
 
 Truesdale 
 ?ht for the 
 
 McNally 
 conduct of 
 i to make 
 but to go 
 
 little vio- 
 owell had 
 
 came out 
 e his train 
 
 )assengers 
 
 \ 
 
 Jssing the 
 
 
 somewhat 
 
 
 ter. One 
 
 
 et, watery 
 
 
 :nized the 
 
 
 s long as 11 
 
 
 shortly. 
 
 
 "he other, 
 
 
 angrily. " I took this train for the purpose of 
 getting to Manchester." 
 
 '•You'd better get aboard then," said Mc- 
 Dowell. " We're going to start now." 
 
 His coolness exasperated the stout man, and 
 he shouted after the Superintendent, " I won't 
 submit to this. I tell you, you'll be sorry for it 
 before I get through with you." 
 
 McDowell paid no heed to the threat, and 
 nodded Haven to go ahead; but a young tele- 
 graph operator, whose services were to be re- 
 quired further up the road, heard the words and 
 shouted to the angry man : — 
 
 " If you don't want to take the train, there's 
 probably a livery stable here, or else you can 
 go to the hotel. It's a gold cure, but I guess 
 they'd take you in." 
 
 McDowell laughed and went into the car. 
 He did not hear what his former passenger 
 answered, and he did not care. He would 
 probably have been less am*, v d if he had 
 known that the man was none other than State 
 Senator "Sporty" Jones. It does not pay to 
 enrage any man wantonly, and especially not a 
 man who makes it his main principle in life to 
 get even. And as any of his circumspect asso- 
 
 
 i 
 
 1 '. 
 
 
' t 
 
 
 
 1 
 
 i '4 
 
 ^'' 
 
 182 
 
 T/ic Short Line Wc 
 
 ar 
 
 elates could inform you, Senator Sporty J 
 
 was just such a man 
 It was 
 
 ones 
 
 nearing six o'clock when No. 14 
 slowed down in the southern outskirts of Till- 
 man City. The army, though depleted, was 
 jubilant, and more than made up in esprit du 
 corps what it had lost in numbers. The raid 
 had so far been completely successful : all the 
 stations had been seized, and the south-bound 
 trains they had met had been held up and 
 placed in charge of C. & S. C. employees. 
 There had been no resistance worth mention- 
 ing, and they had prevented any warning of 
 their coming from going up the line ahead of 
 them. Tillman City was lying an unsuspect- 
 ing prey, though fairly in their clutches. 
 
 Bill Stevens, the agent at Tillman, knew that 
 something had gone wrong, for No. 14 was 
 later than usual, and had not been reported 
 from the last two stations ; so when the droop- 
 ing semaphore told him that she was in the 
 block, he went out on the platform to find out 
 what had happened. As the train came pant- 
 ing up to the station he saw two strange men 
 in the cab instead of Downs and Berg, and this 
 puzzled iiim more than ever. 
 
 1' 
 
 
Train No. 14 
 
 183 
 
 The sheriff was the first man off the train ; 
 he wall<ed straight up to the agent, and in two 
 minutes the formalities were over. Stevens and 
 his subordinates were discharged, and the ticket 
 office and baggage room put in charge of the 
 new employees with a celerity born of practice. 
 A number of deputies under McDowell's orders 
 scattered out to take possession of the round- 
 house, the freight depot, and the yards. 
 
 Still standing on the platform in an excited 
 crowd of raiders, former employees, and station 
 loafers, was the agent. He was thinking fast, 
 for he saw the importance of getting word to 
 Manchester of what was happening along the 
 line. The telegraph line was in the hands of 
 the enemy, but a locomotive — It was worth a 
 trial, anyway. There were three at Tillman : 
 33 that had just brought in No. 14, 7 on a sid- 
 ing waiting to take the train to Manchester, and 
 10, the regular yard engine. The two passenger 
 engines were out of the question, for they were 
 already -^ell guarded, but the little switching 
 locomotive lay at the northern end of the yard, 
 and had not as yet been seized by the deputies. 
 In the confusion, and aided by the gathering 
 dusk of the early October evening, something 
 might be done. 
 
 \n 
 
 V 
 
 1 
 
 ts 
 
 - r 'tH^I 
 
 
 "II 
 
 t 
 
 1 
 
 3 
 
 If 
 1 J 
 
 
f*' ufir 
 
 184 
 
 T/ie Shon Line War 
 
 mUMMJII 
 
 Glancing around, Stevens saw Murphy, the 
 hostler, standing at his elbow. Without turning 
 toward him he spoke softly. 
 
 "Murphy," he said, "slip out of this crowd 
 and follow mc. I'm going to try t. get away 
 on 10. I want you to throw a switch for me." 
 
 The hostler nodded without a word, and 
 threaded his way after the agent to the edge 
 of the platform. Once out of the glare of the 
 station lights there was less need for caution, 
 and the two men set out at a rapid walk toward 
 the north end of the yards. 
 
 Suddenly a deputy came out from behind a 
 freight car and laid a detaining hand on the 
 agent's arm. 
 
 " What are you up to } " he demanded. 
 There was no word of reply, but Murphy's 
 fist shot out, landing dully on the man's jaw, 
 and without an outcry he sank inert on the sand. 
 The agent darted forward, keeping out of the 
 heavy sand by bounding along the irregularly 
 laid ties, and in a moment he was climbing into 
 the cab of the switch engine. 
 
 "Thank God! there's steam and water," he 
 thought, and throwing over the reversing lever 
 he grasped the throttle and came backing rapidly 
 down the siding. 
 
Train No. 14 
 
 185 
 
 iirphy, the 
 )ut turning 
 
 this crowd 
 get away 
 for me." 
 A^ord, and 
 » the edge 
 are of the 
 )r caution, 
 ilk toward 
 
 behind a 
 id on the 
 
 led. 
 
 
 Murphy's 
 
 1 
 
 lan's jaw, 
 
 \ 
 
 the sand. 
 
 j 
 
 out of the 
 
 ; 
 
 rregularly 
 
 
 ibing into 
 
 ■i 
 
 i 
 
 ^ater," he 
 
 1 
 
 .ing lever 
 
 
 ig rapidly 
 
 
 It was too dark for the men at the station to 
 see perfectly what had happened, but they saw 
 enough to excite their suspicion, and No. 33, 
 which had already uncoupled from the train, ran 
 up the main track to investigate. James and 
 Mangan and a couple of deputies were in the 
 
 cab. 
 
 Murphy had already thiovvn the switch and 
 was standing beside it, holding a coupling pin 
 in his hand, awaiting developments. The two 
 locomotives were running right a*- each other, 
 and unless somebody changed his mind very 
 promptly a collision was inevitable; buL the 
 agent was in such a frame of mind that a smash- 
 up was rather to his liking than otherwise, and 
 he pulled the throttle a little wider open. He 
 would waste no steam whistling, but grasping 
 the hand rail he swung out from the cab and 
 waved his free arm. 
 
 " Look out ! " he yelled, " Fm coming." 
 Furthermore it was obvious to the men in 33 
 that he meant to keep on coming, and as none of 
 them had any wish to try conclusions, even with 
 little No. 10, the big locomotive stopped short 
 and went backing down the track, the deputies 
 shouting to their comrades at the station for 
 reenforcements. 
 
 
 jm 
 
 i' 
 
1 86 
 
 The Short Lifie War 
 
 \%l 
 
 If . 
 
 liiil 
 
 |r .itn 
 
 i 
 
 No. 10 slowed down as she backed on to the 
 main track, and as Murphy threw the switch 
 she stopped and then moved forward. Stevens 
 waited for Murphy, who left the switch open and 
 climbed into the cab. Then with a clear track 
 before her No. lo went tearing down the long 
 grade as fast as her dumpy Httle drivers would 
 carry her. 
 
 Halfway to Byron is a milk shed with a short 
 siding, and when they reached it Stevens shut 
 down and stopped with a jerk. 
 
 **Get out," he said to Murphy, "and throw 
 over that switch and put out the lamp." 
 
 As they started on again he said dryly, 
 " When they strike that, it may teach 'em to go 
 slow for the rest of the run." 
 
 It was just six-seventeen by the station clock 
 when Mason, the operator at Byrcj, heard 
 No. 10 coming in. He ran out on the platform, 
 but Stevens waved him back. 
 
 "Get in there," he said as he dropped from 
 the cab. " I want you to send a message quick." 
 
 
CHAPTER XIV 
 
 A CAITURE AT BRUSHINGHAM 
 
 On the same Wednesday morning Jawn Don- 
 ohue was oiling the old switch engine pre- 
 paratory to mcking ui a train of coal cars. 
 Since his ride with the President, Jawn had 
 been even more silent than before. His work 
 had been done vvith the same gruff indepen- 
 dence, and his fireman had received the usual 
 quota of stern rebukes ; in fact, Jawn was out- 
 wardly so Hke his old self that none suspected 
 him of emotion, but Jawn knew how thin was the 
 veneer. It is hard upon a man to lose ground 
 in the great struggle. Conscious of his ability, 
 proud in his experience, Jawn grew daily more 
 bitter at the prospect before him, and more 
 hostile to his superiors. For a few days after 
 the ride he had hoped for some word ; he had 
 felt that such an appeal as the one he had made 
 to Jim Weeks should be productive of some 
 notice, if not of a definite result. But as the 
 
 187 
 
 ii. 
 
 
 ■4 
 
 4\ 
 
 •it 
 
 ' r 
 
 
i88 
 
 The Short Line War 
 
 ^- lifi 
 
 week wore away, and no word came, his heart 
 sank. Every day he rattled the dumpy little 
 engine about the division yards, chewing the 
 stem of his pipe, and hardening his heart 
 against the world. He spent Sunday in his 
 room at the boarding-house, for he had no 
 family. Monday and Tuesday passed in worse 
 than solitude, and when Wednesday morning 
 came, and with it a message from the division 
 superintendent, Jawn, in spite of his hopes, was 
 taken by surprise. The message was addressed 
 to the agent, and was very brief : — 
 
 Send J. Donohue and fireman to Manchester at once. 
 
 hJ 1 f 1 
 
 '1 
 
 Jawn and his fireman took i6 for Manchester. 
 Beyond a brief word Jawn had said nothing, 
 but his heart was disturbed. He was sure that 
 it couldn't mean discharge, for they would not 
 call him north for that — a word and a check 
 would have settled it. It was hardly likely 
 that one of the passenger engineers was to be 
 reduced in his favor; Jawn knew the inside 
 history of every man's connection with the 
 road, and he could see no reason for a change. 
 No, as he worked it over and over in his mind 
 
his heart 
 mpy little 
 iwing the 
 his heart 
 ay in his 
 i had no 
 i in worse 
 r morning 
 le division 
 lopes, was 
 addressed 
 
 er at once. 
 
 anchester. 
 i nothing, 
 3 sure that 
 would not 
 d a check 
 rdly likely 
 was to be 
 the inside 
 with the 
 • a change. 
 1 his mind 
 
 A Capture at Brushingham 
 
 189 
 
 dn^' z^' the three-hour ride, he began to suspect 
 th'^. I here was special work to be done. 
 
 If Jawn had been present at the brief scene 
 in Mattison's office that morning, or if there 
 had been a friend at court to tell him of it, he 
 would have been a happy man. For while 
 Jim Weeks, aggressive as ever, was organizing 
 his forces for the defence of the road (Jim fore- 
 saw what Porter's next move in the natural 
 course of events would be), Mattison had 
 turned to the division superintendent, and 
 said : " Who can you put on the engine, if 
 we have to come to rough work } The nerviest 
 man we've got." And before the other could 
 reply, Jim had turned from a conversation with 
 Harvey to say: " Donohue'sgot to take out that 
 train. He's on a switch engine at Tillman." 
 
 Jim was continually surprising his subordi- 
 nates with his intimate knowledge of the de- 
 tails of management. Mattison had long been 
 accustomed to his ways, but he gave Jim a 
 glance of wonder before he repeated the order 
 to the division chief. And so Jawn was called 
 to Manchester as the nerviest man on the road. 
 
 In the meantime a scene not unlike that at 
 Truesdale was being enacted in and about the 
 
 I' '. 
 
 t\ 
 
 s 
 
 
 1 
 
m 
 
 R^ i' ! ! i 
 
 b i 
 
 1:: 
 
 l!.i . 
 
 
 190 
 
 JVie Short Line War 
 
 H!: 
 
 Irli 
 
 Manchester station. There was the same reti- 
 cence, and the studied quiet and perfect disci- 
 pline were even more pronounced ; for with Jim 
 and Harvey to issue orders, and with Mattison 
 and Mallory to execute them, the chance of a 
 sHp or a misunderstanding was too shght to be 
 considered. A long train of tourist cars was 
 made up shortly after noon and backed into the 
 train shed, where it lay awaiting orders. Jim 
 had no very definite idea of using it, at least 
 until force was the only expedient ; but he had 
 been through too many fights to be caught off 
 his guard. Instructions were wired from the 
 despatctier's office to the operators all along the 
 line, ordering them to report promptly any ir- 
 regularity or suspicious circumstance. Mean- 
 while the regular trains for Truesdale pulled out 
 through the yards and went on their way. 
 
 When Jawn came into the Superintendent's 
 office at two o'clock he found a group of men 
 standing in nervous attitudes, all evidently 
 awaiting orders. A boy stopped him and asked 
 his business. 
 
 ** I want to see Mr. Mattison," said Jawn, re- 
 moving his pipe and holding it awkwardly : 
 Jawn, though at home on an engine, was ill at 
 ease in an office. 
 
 kx 
 
A Capture at Brushingham 
 
 same reti- 
 rfect disci- 
 )r with Jim 
 ii Mattison 
 lance of a 
 light to be 
 t cars was 
 ed into the 
 ders. Jim 
 it, at least 
 but he had 
 caught off 
 from the 
 1 along the 
 tly any ir- 
 :e. Mean- 
 pulled out 
 ivay. 
 
 intendent's 
 
 up of men 
 
 evidently 
 
 and asked 
 
 I J awn, re- 
 wkwardly : 
 , was ill at 
 
 191 
 
 he's 
 
 " Can't see him," snapped the boy ; 
 busy." 
 
 " He sent for me." 
 
 " Name, please." 
 
 "Donohue." 
 
 " Sit down, Mr. Donohue." 
 
 Jawn sat down in a corner and the boy disap- 
 peared. In a short time he returned and led 
 Jawn to Mattison's desk. Mattison wasted no 
 time, but told him the situation in a few sen- 
 tences. "Now, Donohue," he said, in conclu- 
 sion, "you understand, do you, that we are 
 putting a big responsibility on you } Mr. West 
 will be in command, and you will be subject to 
 his orders without question ; but if for any rea- 
 son you should have to act rapidly, or should be 
 thrown on the defensive, I shall expect you to 
 do what is best for the road. Run no unneces- 
 sary risks, but remember, we must hold the line 
 at any cost — if we lose an engine doing it. Do 
 you understand .-• " 
 
 Jawn, standing beside the oak desk, looked 
 down at the Superintendent and nodded gravely. 
 Mattison returned the look with a brief search- 
 ing gaze, then he turned to his work, saying, 
 "Very well, you may go." 
 
 I 
 
 I 
 I 
 
 
 
 ■I'f 
 
 r 
 
 I 
 
i '■■' 
 
 
 
 'l^l 
 
 iii 
 
 192 
 
 T/ie Short Line War 
 
 Harvey was all over the station. The strain 
 L ^ the last two days hc.d told upon his nerves, 
 but the prospect of a conflict buoyed him up. 
 He had a long talk with Mallory, in which a 
 campaign was mapped out as fully as was pos- 
 sible in the circumstances. It had been decided 
 to hold the men ready to board the train at a 
 moment's notice ; but Harvey, as three o'clock 
 came, ordered them aboard, for he realized that 
 the longer the delay the greater would be the 
 need of prompt action. So the long Hne filed 
 out across the platform to the waiting cars, and 
 the men made themselves comfortable for a long 
 wait. Mallory stationed two of his own men in 
 each car with orders to maintain strict discipline. 
 In the baggage car were stored extra chains, 
 hawsers, coupHng links, crowbars, patent frogs, 
 and every other device which, in Mattison's es- 
 timation, could be used in case of extreme cir- 
 cumstances, and there were chairs for Harvey 
 and his lieutenants. 
 
 Later Harvey walked up to the engine, where 
 Jawn and his fireman were oiling and polishing. 
 
 " Everything all right, Donohue .? " he asked. 
 
 Jawn growled and looked back at the coal in 
 the tender. 
 
The strain 
 lis nerves, 
 d him up. 
 n which a 
 s was pos- 
 en decided 
 
 train at a 
 "ce o'clock 
 alized that 
 -lid be the 
 : line filed 
 
 cars, and 
 I for a long 
 wn men in 
 discipline, 
 ra chains, 
 tent frogs, 
 ttison's es- 
 (treme cir- 
 )r Harvey 
 
 ine, where 
 polishing, 
 he asked. 
 
 thp 
 
 rnp 
 
 1 in 
 
 I 
 
 A Capture at Briishingham 
 
 193 
 
 " She ain't much of an engine," he replied. 
 
 Harvey looked her over. She was an ordi- 
 nary light yard engine with a footboard in place 
 of the pilot and with a sloping tank. He called 
 to the yard master who stood near. 
 
 " Haven't you got a better engine than this, 
 Pratt.?" 
 
 Pratt came across the platform. 
 
 " I understood you wanted an old one," he 
 said. 
 
 "We do," replied Harvey; "but we want 
 one that will hold a little water, and one that 
 can make time if necessary." 
 
 "Shall I change, sir.?" 
 
 " It rests with the engineer. Donohue, can 
 you do anything with this engine .? " 
 
 Jawn leaned against the cab and slowly 
 shook his head. 
 
 " Get another, then," said Harvey, and as the 
 change was effected Jawn's heart was won. In 
 an unreasoning way he promptly attributed his 
 changed condition to Harvey ; for in spite of his 
 gruff shell the kernel of Jawn's nature was keenly 
 susceptible to kindness, and to him a good en- 
 p:ine and plenty of authority was the greatest 
 kindness in life. 
 
 
 m 
 
 i 
 
 II 
 
 EiJ t, 
 
194 
 
 The Short Line War 
 
 For two hours the train waited. Then, at 
 five o'clock, a detail was sent into the restau- 
 rant, and the men were supplied with sand- 
 wiches and coffee, eating without leaving their 
 seats. In half an hour all were fed, and they 
 stretched out on the cane seats as comfortably 
 as their crowded condition permitted. The 
 long wait did not improve tempers, and it was a 
 sullen, weary train load that counted the min- 
 utes on into the dusk. Jawn sat on his high 
 seat and dozed. 
 
 The suspense was even more tense in the 
 offices on the second floor of the station. Jim 
 and Harvey spent most of the time in the pri- 
 vate office, going over every possible combina- 
 tion of circumstances, Jim giving Harvey ex- 
 plicit directions for each case— when to use 
 force, when not, when to call on the law, and 
 when to send for aid. Occasionally Jim would 
 call in ]^Idttison to ask a question concerning 
 some detail of the road, or he would send for 
 Mallory to explain more fully his directions. It 
 was plain that Jim desired to leave nothing to 
 chance, now that the real struggle was on, but 
 to throw all his available resources into the con- 
 ivlattison had a map drawn for Harvey, 
 
 lUCL. 
 
Then, at 
 he restau- 
 i^ith sand- 
 ving their 
 , and they 
 'infortably 
 ted. The 
 d it was a 
 the min- 
 his high 
 
 ;e in the 
 ion. Jim 
 ti the pri- 
 combina- 
 arvey ex- 
 n to use 
 
 A Capture at BrushiiigJiam 
 
 I9S 
 
 law, and 
 
 \ 
 
 im would 
 
 ( 
 
 mcerning 
 
 
 send for 
 
 
 :ions. It 
 
 
 )thing to 
 
 
 s on, but 
 
 
 the con- 
 
 
 Harvey, 
 
 
 
 
 which showed every station, curve, switch, and 
 siding ; this Harvey studied during the lulls in 
 the conversation, and as he already was famiUar 
 with all but the minor details of construction, he 
 soon had his information upon a working basis. 
 At six-fifteen Mattison came in. 
 
 "Mr. Weeks," he said, "the despatcher reports 
 something the matter. For two or three hours, 
 he says, the local reports have been confused 
 and unsatisfactory. A few minutes ago he 
 called up Tillman City and hasn't yet succeeded 
 in getting any reply. The local men are send- 
 ing in train reports, but something isn't right. 
 He's got a notion that they aren't our old 
 men." 
 
 " Tell them to try again," said Jim. " Ask 
 them something a new man wouldn't know." 
 
 Mattison left the office and hurried to the 
 stairway. On the landing he met a newsboy 
 who was running up, calling : — 
 
 " Shcago Even' Papers ! Extry ! All about 
 big railroad war ! " 
 
 Mattison seized a paper and glanced at the 
 headings. " Fight for M. & T.," he read. 
 "Trunk Line Gobbles Small Road." His eye 
 ran over the article ; it was dated that after- 
 
 ! 
 
 ' •' 
 
 «!' 
 
196 
 
 The Short Line War 
 
 f . 
 
 ^ 
 
 III ■' 
 
 SI i' 
 
 li.; 
 
 I* ^ 
 
 m^ : 
 
 ■m 
 
 noon from Truesdalc. He turned and ran up 
 the stairs, dashing into Jim's office and spread- 
 ing the paper on the table. 
 
 " It's up to us," he said. "They've been at 
 work all the afternoon." 
 
 As he spoke a boy came running into the 
 office. 
 
 "Message from Byron, sir." 
 
 Mattison snatched the paper and read aloud,— 
 
 C. & S. C. train leaving Tillman north seizing road. 
 
 Stevens. 
 
 " That's the Tillman agent," said Mattison. 
 " What's he doing at Byron } " 
 
 "Probably had to run for it," responded 
 Harvey, putting on his hat and buttoning his 
 coat. " That means fast work. Clear the track 
 for me, Mattison." 
 
 "Wait a minute," said Jim. "Have we any 
 trains north of Byron .? " 
 "No." 
 
 " Then don't send any orders. They would 
 warn the other side. No, go ahead and beat 
 them if you have to break their heads." 
 
 As Harvey dashed out of the office Jim's eyes 
 sparkled. He liked to do his own fighting, and 
 
 m 
 
nd ran up 
 nd spread- 
 
 ve been at 
 
 ? into the 
 
 •■'Ilk 
 
 d aloud, — 
 
 ing road. 
 Stevens. 
 
 Mattison. 
 
 m 
 
 ■':i\ 
 
 ■esponded 
 oning his 
 ■ the track 
 
 'e we any 
 
 2y would 
 and beat 
 
 im's eyes 
 fcing, and 
 
 1*1 
 
 
 i 
 
1 
 
 1 
 
 
 < 
 
 
 
 1' ' 
 
 ^W 
 
 i i 
 
 ■r 
 
 11 
 
 
 HARVEY'S V ■' I • 1 
 
 M. A T. 
 

 y 
 
 
 / 
 
 ^ 
 
 .-r* 
 
 ^M 
 
 *• 
 
 A Capture at Bm^hingham 
 
 197 
 
 it was half regretfully that he turned to the Su- 
 perintendent. 
 
 " If the\''re as near as that, Mattison, it means 
 trouble. You'd better collect another gang and 
 send it out after West. Take men off the trains, 
 out of the yards, anywhere you can get them." 
 
 The wheels were soon in motion again, and 
 another train backed under the iron roof and 
 slowly filled with brawny men. 
 
 Harvey swung aboard his train and it started 
 with a jerk, rolling rapidly over the network of 
 tracks, past the switch tower, uniier the signal 
 bridge, and out toward the open country. The 
 little army was not sullen now. Figi. res sat erect, 
 eyes flashed, young men spoke eagerl v, older ones 
 gruffly, and through the train ran a steady mur- 
 mur of inquisitive wonder. Apparently, save for 
 a few dozen sticks and clubs, the men were not 
 armed, but many hip pockets bulged sus oiciously. 
 
 In the baggage car Harvey and MaLory were 
 talking earnestly. Mallory was for t avelling 
 slowly lest they should encounter a Ic :)se rail 
 or an open switch, but Harvey disagreed. He 
 spread the map out on a box and r< sted a 
 finger on the dot marked Tillman City. 
 
 *' There they are," he said, *' or were a few 
 
 I'll 
 
 . !l 
 
 f.ii 
 
S i 
 
 198 
 
 The Shot't Line War 
 
 :MMii.l. 
 
 minutes ago, and they're coming right toward 
 us. Now, to keep us from getting word they 
 have to stop at every telegraph station, and that 
 takes time. We've got a clear track and can 
 travel fully twice as fast as they can. Here " 
 — he moved his finger up the line of the road — 
 " here at Brushingham is a long siding. I want 
 to make that siding before they do." 
 "Why.?" 
 
 " Because we must pass them there." 
 " They aren't going to lie up and let us run 
 by." 
 
 "Yes, they are," said Harvey. "Wait a mo- 
 ment." He called to a brakeman who stood at 
 the door, "Go up to the engine and tell the 
 engineer to get to the siding at Brushingham at 
 full speed." 
 
 The man nodded and ran forward. Another 
 moment and those in the baggage car felt a 
 jerk and a lift, and soon they were rattling over 
 the rails with sway and roll. Harvey, mean- 
 time, was explaining to Mallory a plan which 
 made that veteran chuckle merrily. His eyes 
 wandered to the heap of chains, ropes, and iron 
 piled on each side of the rear door, and he 
 chuckled again. But Harvey's face was serious. 
 
A Capture at Brushingham 
 
 199 
 
 ht toward 
 verd they 
 , and that 
 ; and can 
 . Here " 
 le road — 
 . I want 
 
 et us run 
 
 ait a mo- 
 stood at 
 I tell the 
 igham at 
 
 Another 
 ar felt a 
 ling over 
 y, mean- 
 in which 
 His eyes 
 and iron 
 and he 
 \ serious. 
 
 " It's something of a question whether we 
 can get there in time, Mallory. It's a sixty-five 
 mile run for us to thirty-eight for them. We 
 have all the advantage, of course, but there 
 won't be any time to spare." He drew out his 
 watch and timed the clicks of the rails. " He's 
 hitting it up in good style." 
 
 " What are we making } " 
 
 " About fifty, and pulling up all the time. It 
 won't take us much over an hour at this rate, 
 and I don't believe that they can make it in any- 
 thing like that time. There are a lot of little 
 stations north of Tillman, and they've got to 
 stop at every one." 
 
 Nevertheless, as the minute hand crept 
 around the watch, the two men began to 
 peer out through the side window. It was 
 dark now, and as the landmarks were not too 
 familiar either to Harvey or to Mallory, they 
 were unable to get their bearings. 
 
 ** Where are we } " Harvey called to the 
 brakeman. 
 
 " Getting into St. Johns," was the reply. 
 
 Sure enough, in another moment colored yard 
 lights were whizzing by. There was a great 
 clatter as they took the switches, then a row of 
 
 f 
 
 i 
 
 % 
 
 11 
 
 M 
 
 i'<i.i 
 
200 
 
 The Short Line War 
 
 •A 
 
 
 ■ M 
 
 S t 
 
 ■1' ^ 1 
 
 1 
 
 ■h^r" 
 
 'i-vf 
 
 streaked electric lights, a dim impression of 
 streets and of clanging bells, a shriejc from the 
 locomotive, and again they were in the open. 
 A few minutes later Harvey gave orders that a 
 brakeman climb forward on the engine ready to 
 throw the Brushingham switch. Soon the car 
 jarred and struggled under the air brake, and 
 then slowed down, grinding and pounding, 
 almost to a stop. The brakes were released,' 
 and the train rolled easily out beyond the 
 station on to the long siding. Harvey pulled 
 the signal cord. 
 
 '' Now, Mallory," he said, as the train came 
 to a standstill, "we can go ahead " 
 
 Mallory picked up a patent frog from the 
 floor, and with Harvey and the brakeman 
 swung out of the car and ran down the track. 
 From the windows projected a long row of 
 heads, but no questions were asked as the three 
 men ran forward. A short distance ahead of 
 the engine they stopped. Away to the south a 
 small bright light rounded into view. 
 
 " Here she comes," said Mallory. 
 
 Harvey made no reply, and the frog was 
 adjusted to the east rail of the main track. 
 Then they went back and clambered aboard the 
 
session of 
 from the 
 the open, 
 ers that a 
 e ready to 
 >n the car 
 rake, and 
 pounding, 
 released, 
 ^ond the 
 ey pulled 
 
 ain came 
 
 Tom the 
 )rakeman 
 he track, 
 row of 
 the three 
 ahead of 
 2 south a 
 
 rog was 
 n track, 
 oard the 
 
 A Capture at BnishingJiam 
 
 201 
 
 engine. Mallory ordered a squad of men forward, 
 and stationed some on the pilot and running 
 board, others on the tender and front platform. 
 The light grew slowly larger, sending out pointed 
 rays and throwing a shine on the rails. There 
 was the sound of a bell and of the exhaust, and 
 the train pulled slowly toward the bleak little 
 station. Suddenly, when within speaking dis- 
 tance, the approaching engine struck the patent 
 frog and left the rails with a jar and a scrape, 
 ploughing her nose into the slag. 
 
 " Go ahead," said Harvey. 
 
 Jawn pulled the throttle lever, and the long 
 train moved slowly southward. No. 14 was not 
 full now. The process of dropping men at every 
 station had left only about half the employees, 
 who clustered in the forward cars and looked 
 curiously at the passing train. At a shouted 
 order from Mallory, one of his men dropped off 
 with a squad at his back and took possession of 
 the wreck, while Harvey, flushed with victory, 
 moved on to undo the work of the afternoon. 
 
 m 
 
 III 
 |!i 
 
 l| !i \ 
 
 r':. 
 
 It 
 
 v 
 
 i-1 
 
CHAPTER XV 
 
 DEUS EX MACHINA 
 
 
 
 n 
 
 
 
 ; 'i^MM. 
 
 ! 
 ( 
 
 I'M 
 
 'Utf 
 
 n 
 
 I 
 
 ifa 
 
 1 ', 
 
 As Senator Sporty Jones stood on the Saw- 
 yerville platform and watched No. 14 vanishing 
 round a curve, his rage against the Superin- 
 tendent cooled somewhat and hardened into a 
 determination to make somebody pay. The 
 more he thought of it the clearer it grew that 
 the " somebody " should be a bigger man than 
 McDowell, though Sporty meant to get even 
 with him, too, some day. He knew, as did 
 every one who had read the newspapers, the 
 broad outlines of the fight between Weeks and 
 Porter for the road. As he thought it over, the 
 problem seemed to grow more compHcated. 
 The Senator hated the two men about equally 
 and had a long score against each of them ; for 
 though both were lobbyists on a large scale, 
 neither of them had thought him worth concili- 
 ating. He was afraid lest in trying to hurt one 
 he might help the other. 
 
 202 
 
Deus ex Machina 
 
 203 
 
 : the Saw- 
 vanishing 
 ; Superin- 
 led into a 
 ay. The 
 grew that 
 man than 
 get even 
 w, as did 
 ipers, the 
 /eeks and 
 : over, the 
 npHcated. 
 It equally 
 :hem ; for 
 •ge scale, 
 th concili- 
 hurt one 
 
 He was capable of quick, clear thinking, and 
 as he ran over in his mind what he knew of the 
 fight, he saw that what encouraged these men 
 so openly to ^esort to violence was a judicial 
 deadlock. There was just one force which 
 could profitably be appealed to now, the State 
 Executive. 
 
 He walked slowly down the rickety wooden 
 steps and across the road ; then, after looking 
 about irresolutely, he turned toward the weather- 
 beaten little hotel. 
 
 Before he had gone far the deposed station 
 agent overtook him. He was smoking a ciga- 
 rette with short, nervous puffs, and he fell in 
 step with the Senator, evidently reHeved at 
 having a chance to talk. 
 
 "What did you think of that.?" he asked. 
 " Pretty sudden, wasn't it .? " 
 
 The Senator grunted a savage assent, and 
 the agent went on : — 
 
 "Well, all I say is, these fellows needn't 
 think they've got any cinch until Jim Weeks 
 has had his innings. He's going to have it, 
 too. This kind of a scrap is right in his line." 
 
 The Senator seemed to be listening, and 
 the agent was encouraged to try his hand at 
 
 m 
 
 ri(; 
 
 ■iff 
 
 ! V 11 
 
 i ^ 
 
 I t 
 
204 
 
 The Short Line War 
 
 ff ^^' 
 
 ii 
 
 prophesying what would happen when Jim 
 Weeks should come down the line. When they 
 reached the hotel both men paused, and the 
 Senator said affably, — 
 
 " Come in and have something." 
 
 " All right, if you mean ginger ale," laughed 
 the agent. "It's a temperance house, with a 
 gold cure on the side." 
 
 The disgust of Senator Sporty Jones was 
 expressed with such blasphemous force that the 
 agent was moved to add, — 
 
 " You can get anything you want down in the 
 next block." 
 
 " All right," grunted the Senator. " Wait a 
 minute, though ; I want to telephone." 
 
 "There ain't a telepnone in town," said the 
 agent. " The line goes up the other side of the 
 river to Tillman. I don't believe you can find a 
 'phone nearer than Truesdale." 
 
 *'How far's that.?" asked the Senator, after 
 an expressive pause. 
 
 " 'Bout fifteen miles by the river road. You 
 have to go round by way of Oakwood. It's 
 going to rain, too," he added, glancing at the 
 clouded sky. 
 
 The look of annoyance on the Senator's face 
 
 
 1^1 
 
Deus ex Machina 
 
 20$ 
 
 i J 
 
 hen Jim 
 
 ^hen they 
 
 and the 
 
 laughed 
 , with a 
 
 nes was 
 that the 
 
 m in the 
 " Wait a 
 
 said the 
 
 le of the 
 m find a 
 
 or, after 
 
 i. You 
 •d. It's 
 : at the 
 
 r's face 
 
 settled into one of determination, and the agent 
 began to fear lest the invitation to ** have some- 
 thing " had slipped from the great man's mind. 
 
 The Senator asked slowly, " Is there such a 
 thing as a livery stable in this" — he gulped — 
 " in this town ? " 
 
 " I guess old man Barnes could let you have 
 some sort of a horse. He's got a place just the 
 other side of Hogan's. I'll go down there with 
 you if you like." 
 
 The parley with Barnes took only a few 
 minutes, and at half-past three the Senator 
 drove down the main street and turned west 
 toward the river road. His vehicle was a light 
 delivery wagon with a canopy over it, and was 
 drawn by a ragged old white horse, which, 
 according to the livery man, was an exceptional 
 animal. 
 
 "The General's an aristocrat, he is," said 
 Barnes. " I might say a thoroughbred. I 
 hate like poison to let him out to a stranger, 
 but I let you take him because I see you under- 
 stand a horse." 
 
 There was no flicker of intelligence in the 
 agent's face as he heard the words, but when 
 the Senator asked him to accompany him on 
 
 ':!' 
 
 Ill 
 i' »i 
 
 '\ 
 
 \ 
 
 r'ii 
 
 II 
 
 ■.t 
 
206 
 
 The Short Line War 
 
 H, 
 
 if 
 
 if V- ■ ' 
 
 
 
 
 \ \ 
 
 
 the drive he declined. " I want to be on hand," 
 he explained, "when Jim Weeks comes down the 
 line." So Senator Jones started out alone on 
 his drive to Truesdale, and the agent watched 
 him from the door of Hogan's saloon. " Go along 
 with him!" he thought. "I guess not. It'd 
 be a circus, though, to see what happens when 
 they get to the river bridge." Then, as Barnes 
 joined him on .he st-ps, he added, "What do 
 you suppose the General will do to him } " 
 
 " Oh, he won't hurt him," answered Barnes. 
 "He'll just turn around and come home when 
 he gets good and ready. Come in and have 
 something." 
 
 The General took a violent dislike to the 
 Senator. It annoyed him to have people try 
 to make him go whither he would not, and he 
 shook his head angrily in response to the impa- 
 tient jerks at the reins. When the Senator 
 tried to accelerate the pace by whacking his 
 toughened flanks with the whip, he kicked up 
 his heels derisively and then stumbled along 
 more wearily if possible than before. 
 
 The miles crept by as slowly as he could 
 wish, and he was pleased when they passed a 
 fork of the road and he knew he was being 
 
Dens ex Machina 
 
 207 
 
 on hand," 
 clown the 
 alone on 
 
 watched 
 Go along 
 lot. It'd 
 2ns when 
 LS Barnes 
 What do 
 ?" 
 
 Barnes, 
 ne when 
 nd have 
 
 ; to the 
 ople try 
 , and he 
 le impa- 
 Senator 
 :ing his 
 :ked up 
 i along 
 
 e could 
 assed a 
 5 being 
 
 I 
 
 driven to the river. He disliked rivers, and 
 had long ago decided that he would never cross 
 one. That his resolution had once been broken 
 was not his fault, for they had dragged him 
 over the Oakwood bridge at the end of a stout 
 rope ; but this only made him firmer in his 
 determination, and people who drove him were 
 wont to stay on the west side of the river. 
 
 Old man Barnes had given the Senator no 
 hint of this prejudice of the aristocratic animal 
 he was driving, so he had no foreboding of 
 what was going to happen. Now that he had 
 made up his mind that it was worse than use- 
 less to try to interfere with the General, he was 
 jogging along in comparative conri^ort, regard- 
 less of the rain which had grown from a fine 
 drizzle to a steady downpour. He thought the 
 chances were in favor of his reaching Trues- 
 dale and a telephone by midnight. He smiled 
 at the thought, for he had evolved a scheme 
 that would disconcert both of the contestants 
 for the M. & T. alike and would show them 
 that he, State Senator oporty Jones, was not a 
 man to be sneezed at. 
 
 About a half a mile above the Oakwood Club 
 House and in full view of it the road crosses the 
 
 ;.;fi 
 
 u 
 
 :iif 
 
208 
 
 The Short Lhie War 
 
 •li 
 
 n: 
 
 
 river, and the Senator noticed the big, rambling 
 building on top of the hill, and wondered if 
 they had a telephone there. " I'll try and see 
 anyway," he thought. ' 
 
 The General turned willingly up the approach 
 to the bridge, increasing his speed to an almost 
 respectable trot. When he reached the top 
 he stopped in his tracks and stared with dis- 
 favor at the worn planks before him. The Sen- 
 ator snatched the whip from its socket and beat 
 upon the General until hir arms were tired. 
 At every blow the horse would kick feebly, and 
 then resume a droop-eared attitude, as though 
 grieving over the depravity of man. The Sen- 
 ator looked around helplessly, but there was 
 no aid in sight, so he climbed down from the 
 wagon and walkec' iround to the bridle. The 
 General may have suspected another attempt 
 at dragging, for a vicious snap of his yellow 
 teeth caused the Senator to step back out of 
 reach, completely baffled. He stared an instant 
 at the solemn face before him and then shaking 
 the whip he said, — 
 
 but' ^''''2^'^°^ ^^ down this time, damn you, 
 The Senator stopped, his favorite threat 
 
 it ':'> 
 
Dens ex Machma 
 
 2P0 
 
 rambling 
 ndered if 
 ^ and see, 
 
 approach 
 an almost 
 the top 
 with dis- 
 The Sen- 
 and beat 
 re tired, 
 ebly, and 
 5 though 
 "he Sen- 
 lere was 
 "rom the 
 e. The 
 attempt 
 i yellow 
 : out of 
 I instant 
 shaking 
 
 nn you, 
 
 threat 
 
 unuttered, threw the whip into the river and 
 turning, walked slowly across the bridge, and 
 as he went the story he meant to tell over the 
 'phone to the Governor grew to fearful pro- 
 portions. As for the General, when he saw 
 that the victory was won, he turned about and 
 sauntered back to Sawycrville. 
 
 In the party of golfers whom the rain had 
 driven from the links to the shelter of the Oak- 
 wood Club was Katherine. She had gone once 
 around the short course and perversely enough 
 her score was unusually good; but she could 
 not get her mind off the more exciting game 
 which she knew must be in progress along the 
 railway line west of the river. Altogether she 
 welcomed the rain, and was glad when its in- 
 creasing violence drove them to the shelter of 
 the club house. There at least she was near 
 a telephone. She had no disposition to make 
 one of the merry group of men and girls who 
 were drying out before the crackling log fire, 
 but after a moment of hesitation she joined the 
 circle. 
 
 One of the men was standing by a window, 
 peering through a field-glass at the more ardent 
 
 '^4 
 
 
 ' if-! 
 
 %\ 
 
 ' ■>i 
 
210 
 
 The Short Line War 
 
 and impervious enthusiasts who were still follow, 
 ing the ball. 
 
 " The rain's letting up a bit," he said at length. 
 " You can really sec things — hello ! " 
 
 The group before the fire turned toward him, 
 attracted by the long silence which followed the 
 exclamation. They saw a look of puzzlement 
 on his face which gradually gave place to a 
 broad grin. 
 
 " What's up } " asked somebody. 
 
 "By George," he exclaimed, lowering the 
 glass, "that's funny." He raised the glass 
 again and this time his shoulders shook. 
 
 "I didn't know anybody out on the links 
 could be as funny as that," one of the girls 
 observed. 
 
 "He isn't on the links," answered the man 
 with the glass, " he's on the bridge. And the 
 horse is turning round and going back." With 
 which singularly lucid preface, the young man 
 told what he had seen of the General's victory 
 at ^he Oakwood bridge. 
 
 It was about fifteen minutes later when Sporty 
 appeared, dripping and mud bespattered, but 
 kept warm by glowing fires of indignation, 
 and vigorously demanded of the attendant tlic 
 
 :.' ^ 
 
Deiis ex Machina 
 
 211 
 
 still follow. 
 
 I at length, 
 
 ward him, 
 Ilowed the 
 •uzzlement 
 )lace to a 
 
 ering the 
 the glass 
 ook. 
 
 the links 
 the girls 
 
 the man 
 
 And the 
 
 :." With 
 
 ung man 
 
 's victory 
 
 ;n Sporty 
 ered, but 
 lignation, 
 dant the 
 
 use of the telephone. At the sound of his voice 
 one of the older men turned quickly and ap- 
 proached him with a word of greeting. " But 
 what's the matter with you, man ? " he added, 
 noting the Senator's sorry condition. 
 
 " They're having a riot on the railroad," an- 
 swered Sporty. " Can I use your 'phone } " 
 
 "Sure," answered the other. "Right this 
 way," and the two men crossed the hall and dis- 
 appeared in the office. A few minutes later the 
 man came back and rejoined the group. 
 
 " He's State Senator Jones, Sporty Jones, you 
 know. He says they're having no end of a 
 time over on the railroad. When I left him he 
 seemed to be trying to telephone all over the 
 State at once." 
 
 "I've heard of him," said Katherine, "but 
 I've never met him. I wish you'd bri ig him 
 here after he gets through telephoning." And 
 the man with some surprise said he would. 
 
 The Senator did not reappear from the office 
 for nearly an hour, and in that time he worked 
 fast. He began by calling up Representative 
 Jim Cleary of the Seventh District, a man with 
 influence who happened to be in the capital on 
 business. The Senator wasted no oratory on 
 
 I 
 
 
 ''V' 
 
 
 ■ r: 
 ,,f 
 
 
 hi 
 
 i 
 
 fl 
 
 
 i L 
 
 T 
 
 
 
 
 im 
 
 •n 
 
 I i>l 
 
212 
 
 The Short Line War 
 
 \ri 
 
 
 him, he simply told him what it was necessary 
 to do. After that he talked with other men 
 about the State, and repeated what he had said 
 to Jim Cleary, suggesting to them the proper 
 way for putting - pressure " on the Governor. 
 Then, having prepared his avalanche, he tele- 
 phoned to the executive mansion and asked for 
 the Governor. He learned from the Secretary 
 that the Governor was busy, but would be at 
 liberty in a few minutes. 
 
 "All right," said Sporty. "Let me know 
 when he's ready to talk to me." 
 
 He rang off and rose from his chair, stiffly, 
 for the damp and the cold had struck through! 
 The man he knew appeared at his elbow, a^'nd 
 leading him in to the fire introduced him to those 
 who were still grouped about it, to Katherine 
 last of all. 
 
 " You must have had an afternoon full of 
 experiences," she said. 
 
 "Yes," answered the Senator. "I enjoyed 
 my drive over from Sawyerville immensely. 
 The weather was somewhat unpleasant, but I 
 had an excellent horse and we made very good 
 time, until we got a hot-box. I was obliged to 
 leave the vehicle with a farmer, and walked the 
 last two miles." 
 
Dens ex Ma china 
 
 213 
 
 i necessary 
 other men 
 le had said 
 the proper 
 Governor, 
 e, he tele- 
 l asked for 
 : Secretary 
 3uld be at 
 
 me know 
 
 air, stiffly, 
 t through, 
 ilbow, and 
 m to those 
 Katherine 
 
 n full of 
 
 [ enjoyed 
 imensely. 
 nt, but I 
 ery good 
 'bliged to 
 liked the 
 
 " Indeed ? " said Katherine. " But please tell 
 me about the riot. It must have been very 
 exciting." 
 
 "I hardly think it would interest a lady," 
 said Sporty, uneasily. 
 
 "Senator Jones," — Katherine was speaking 
 with much severity, — "I did not think when I 
 first saw you that you could prove so disagree- 
 able." 
 
 Sporty beamed. " It wasn't very much of a 
 riot," he said. "They just hit the fireman 
 behind the ear and put handcuffs on the engi- 
 neer, and started out to grab the road. They'll 
 have to fight for it." 
 
 " Was what they did legal 1 " she asked. 
 
 " Oh, no ; not at all. It's just a hold-up." 
 
 The Senator was saying rather more than he 
 meant to, and he was glad that the telephone 
 bell broke off the conversation at this point. 
 He excused himself abruptly and went to have 
 a talk with the Governor. 
 
 Katherine walked to a window and stood 
 
 staring out with unseeing eyes. At last she 
 
 turned to a man who stood near her and said : — 
 
 " I don't believe it's going to rain any more. 
 
 Will you have them bring up my trap, please.? " 
 
 
 i 
 
 ' n 
 
 "A 
 
 f I, 
 
 
 I 
 
CHAPTER XVI 
 
 McNALLY S EXPEDIENT 
 
 \u 
 
 f' 
 
 ; i 
 
 Katherine's casual acquaintances thought of 
 her as a cool, unemotional young woman, and 
 when asked for their estimate of her would give 
 it with confidence that it was accurate. The 
 few who knew her better were less sure what 
 they thought of her, and there was considerable 
 diversity in their opinions. She had a strong 
 will and plenty of confidence in it. Until she 
 had found herself standing between Harvey 
 West and her father, she never had the least 
 doubt that in any situation she would be able to 
 do what she wanted. But without knowing it 
 she liked to let her impulses direct her, and her 
 confidence that her will could, if necessary, 
 overrule them gave them freer play than they 
 would have had in a weaker personality. She 
 was keenly sensitive — and this she recognized 
 — to the atmosphere of her immediate envi- 
 ronment. 
 
 214 
 
 i 1 
 
McNaliys Expedient 
 
 215 
 
 thought of 
 Dman, and 
 would give 
 ate. The 
 sure what 
 insiderable 
 . a strong 
 Until she 
 n Harvey 
 . the least 
 be able to 
 mowing it 
 T, and her 
 necessary, 
 than they 
 lity. She 
 "ecognized 
 iate envi- 
 
 To-day the gray of the dripping sky and 
 the sullen river and the pasty macadam road 
 seemed to have got into her thoughts and to 
 pervade everything. There was a feeling of 
 eternity in the gathering twilight as though 
 there had never been anything else and never 
 would be. But she knew there had ; it was 
 only three days since she and Harvey had 
 driven along this road. She recalled the 
 glisten of the sunlight on the river, and the 
 crimson of the hard maples stained by the first 
 early frost, and she knew it was not the sunshine 
 nor the tingle in the air nor the beautiful way 
 in which Ned and Nick flew along stride for 
 stride over the hard white road, but something 
 else, something quite different, which had made 
 her glad that Sunday morning. She looked 
 straight ahead and tried to imagine that not the 
 wooden English groom, but Harvey, sat beside 
 her. Then realizing whither her imaginings 
 were drifting, she pulled herself up sharply. 
 " You sentimental idiot ! " she thought. 
 
 The groom spoke. " Beg pardon. Miss Kath- 
 erme .? " and she knew she must have thought 
 aloud. 
 
 Just then a black tree stump at the roadside 
 
 
 
 
 ^ ••il: 
 
 !■ , _ 
 
 
 'Mi 
 
2l6 
 
 The Short Line War 
 
 1 
 
 ^ 
 
 seemed to spring out of the ghostly twilight, 
 and Nick, who never had the blues, amused 
 himself by shying at it. Ned caught the spirit 
 of the lark and over the next mile these two 
 good friends of Katherine's supplied her with 
 just the kind of tonic she needed. 
 
 It was late when she reached home and she 
 had but a narrow margin of time left in which 
 to dress for dinner ; but telling the groom not to 
 take the horses to the stable she hurried into 
 the house and came out a moment later with 
 a handful of sugar. The two beautiful heads 
 turned toward her as she came down the steps 
 and Nick gave a satisfied little whicker. She 
 fed them alternately, a lump at a time, talking 
 to them all the while in the friendly bantering 
 way they liked. She was quite impartial with 
 the sugar, but while Ned with lowered head 
 was sniffing at her pockets for more, she laid 
 her cheek against Nick's white, silky nose and 
 whispered to him : — 
 
 " I think I like you best to-night. You did 
 just right to shy at that stump. No, Ned, it 
 wouldn't be good for you to eat any more sugar 
 just before dinner. Good-by. If it wouldn't 
 shock father and dent the floor, I'd take you 
 
McNaliys Expedient 
 
 217 
 
 But I don't suppose 
 
 into the house with me. 
 you'd like it, though." 
 
 Katherine was glad she was late and that she 
 had to dress in a hurry. What she dreaded 
 was being left alone with nothing to do but 
 think. She had gone over the ground again 
 and again until she had lost her sense of pro- 
 portion. She had tried to believe that the raid 
 was right and that her father's methods were 
 above reproach ; she had tried to be unwavering 
 in her loyalty to his cause, but in spite of her- 
 self McNally's allusions and the fragmentary 
 conversations she had overheard raised doubts 
 which her father's evasions did not set at rest. 
 In spite of herself her sympathies swung to 
 the square, straightforward, courageous young 
 fellow who had got into her heart without her 
 knowing it. She had tried to make herself be- 
 lieve her father's insinuations about Jim Weeks ; 
 but what Harvey had told her, in his undis- 
 criminating, hero-worshipping way, had made 
 too deep an impression for that. 
 
 When she had finished dressing, as she stood 
 before the mirror to take a final survey, she ad- 
 dressed a parting remark to the figure in the 
 
 glass 
 
 
 ;■ • iri 
 
 ( ' 
 
 t .^>ii 
 
 %\ 
 
 fi 
 

 Ui 
 
 218 
 
 The Short Line War 
 
 " It won't do you any good to go on bother- 
 ing this way. You haven't anything to do now 
 but go down to dinner and be as charming as 
 possible, particularly to Mr. McNally, whom 
 you cordially detest. When the time comes to 
 do something, I hope you'll do it right." 
 
 It was just seven o'clock when she came down 
 the stairs to be informed by the butler that the 
 gentlemen had not come home yet, and should 
 he serve dinner at once } 
 
 Katherine waited nearly half an hour, trying 
 to amuse herself with a very pictorial magazine, 
 and, finding that tiresome, by playing coon songs 
 at the piano. But the piano reminded her of Mr. 
 McNally, and she didn't want to think of him ; 
 so giving up trying to wait she ordered dinner. 
 Dining alone when you have made up your 
 mind to it beforehand is not an unmixed evil ; 
 but in Katherine's frame of mind it was about 
 as irritating as anything could be. When it 
 was over she called for her coffee in a big cup, 
 and she drank it, black and bitter, with a relish. 
 The frown which for the last hour had been 
 contracting her level brows disappeared, for 
 she had thought of something to do. As she 
 rose from the table she said to the butler : — 
 
 
 lip 
 
 fi 
 
McNally's Expedient 
 
 219 
 
 on bother- 
 ;• to do now 
 larming as 
 illy, whom 
 e comes to 
 
 xr 
 
 :ame down 
 IX that the 
 md should 
 
 our, trying 
 magazine, 
 :oon songs 
 her of Mr. 
 ik of him ; 
 ■ed dinner. 
 2 up your 
 lixed evil; 
 was about 
 When it 
 a big cup, 
 h a relish, 
 had been 
 jared, for 
 As she 
 ier : — 
 
 i 
 
 "Will you order the carriage, please, right 
 away. I'm going out." 
 
 Porter was with McNally in one of the offices 
 of the M. & T. station. The two had been sit- 
 ting there ever since the building had been 
 seized by the deputies, getting satisfactory re- 
 ports from station after station as the raiders 
 moved up the hne. Porter was on the point of 
 starting home for dinner when the reports began 
 coming in from Tillman City. The first of the 
 yellow sheets the boy brought them simply re- 
 peated the news that had come in so many times 
 that afternoon. The station was in the hands 
 of the C. & S. C. men, and there had been no 
 resistance. But the second sheet was less satis- 
 factory, for it told of Stevens's escape on the 
 yard engine. 
 
 Porter read it and exclaimed petulantly, " Mc- 
 Dowell must have been asleep when he let a 
 man get away like that." 
 
 "Do you think there's much harm done.?" 
 asked McNally. 
 
 " I'm afraid so. Weeks will hear all about it 
 in a few minutes, if he hasn't already, and he's 
 sure to hit back. He moves quick, too." 
 
 " We can wire McDowell to stay right where 
 
 ;1 
 
 i 
 
 < n 
 
 > 11 
 
 ' I 
 
 I. 
 
 
220 
 
 The Short Line War 
 
 W 
 
 he is, and rush through another train with re- 
 enforcements," suggested McNally. "We may 
 not be able to get the rest, but we can at least 
 keep what we've got." 
 
 "You'd better make up another train, any- 
 way. We can fill it up with men from our car- 
 shops. McDowell had better keep right ou up 
 the line. If we have to fight, it'll be better 
 to do it at some small place than at Tillman. 
 We're less likely to be interfered with. Tell 
 McDowell to go slow and not too far." 
 
 The order to McDowell with the promise of 
 reenforccments was sent out in time to catch 
 him before he left Tillman, and then McNally 
 turned his attention to massing his reserve. At 
 the end of an hour and a half of hard work he 
 saw the last files of the rear guard march down 
 the platform and into the train. His frown ex- 
 pressed dissatisfaction, for these men were not 
 so good fighting material as those McDowell 
 had captained. Their manner was sheepish; 
 they did not finger lovingly the clubs they had 
 been provided with, and altogether they seemed 
 to feel a much greater respect for law and order 
 than was appropriate to the occasion. 
 
 They were the best men available, however. 
 
McNallys Expedient 
 
 221 
 
 lin with re- 
 
 " We may 
 
 an at least 
 
 train, any- 
 >m our car- 
 -ight Oil up 
 
 be better 
 It Tillman, 
 vith. Tell 
 "ar." 
 
 promise of 
 e to catch 
 1 McNally 
 serve. At 
 "d work he 
 arch down 
 ; frown ex- 
 i were not 
 McDowell 
 
 sheepish ; 
 ; they had 
 ey seemed 
 and order 
 
 , however, 
 
 I 
 
 and there were several hundred of them, and 
 McNally was about to give the order which 
 would send them up the road to the succor of 
 McDowell, when Porter came hurrying toward 
 him from the telegraph office. 
 
 "Don't send those men out yet, McNally," 
 he said. "There's something wrong here. I 
 think they've bagged McDowell." 
 
 The train despatcher came into the waiting 
 room, and seeing them walked rapidly toward 
 them. 
 
 "Something has gone wrong, gentlemen. 
 We've been talking to Gilsonville and he's all 
 balled up. He isn't the same man who was 
 there fifteen minutes ago." 
 
 "They've got past McDowell then," said 
 McNally. " And they couldn't have done that 
 without catching him. We'd better get that train 
 away as fast as possible then, hadn't we t " 
 
 "I don't think so," saM Porter. "Have 
 them ready to start at a minute's notice, and 
 we'll plan out what's the best thing to do." 
 
 Back in the little office again Porter ex- 
 plained his plan. "You see," he said, "these 
 fellows are not Hkely to be very much in a 
 fight. We don't know how many men Weeks 
 
 
 i •: 
 
 'Mhl 
 
 ii 
 
 t<\ 
 
 • r 
 
 
 ■ is' 
 
222 
 
 The Short Line War 
 
 A- 
 
 P. 
 
 has got, but the farther down the line he comes 
 the weaker he'll be. If we let him come fai 
 enough we can do the same trick to him that he 
 must have done to McDowell ; but if we meet 
 him halfway, he may beat us. That leaves us 
 at his mercy." 
 
 "Do you think Weeks is on the train him- 
 self .?" asked McNally. 
 
 "Can't tell. It would be like him. If he 
 isn't, that young West is. Most likely West 
 is, anyway." 
 
 " He's the man that blocks our game, if he is 
 a fool. If anything should happen to him, there 
 wouldn't be any question as to who was re- 
 ceiver of the road." 
 
 Porter said nothing and there was a long 
 silence. Then McNally went on, speaking 
 slowly and guardedly: — 
 
 "If there is anything of a mix-up such a 
 thing would be likely enough to happen. He's 
 young enough and cocky enough to get hurt 
 quite naturally." 
 
 Then Porter spoke quickly, for he read the 
 
 unsaid meaning in the words. " That's going 
 
 too far. I want the road, but not that way." 
 
 McNally's drooping lids quivered, but other- 
 
 
 
 l|: 
 
 rt 
 
McNallys Expedient 
 
 223 
 
 ne he comes 
 m come fai 
 him that he 
 if we meet 
 at leaves us 
 
 ; train him- 
 
 im. If he 
 likely West 
 
 me, if he is 
 9 him, there 
 ho was re- 
 
 '^as a long 
 , speaking 
 
 ■up such a 
 pen. He's 
 :o get hurt 
 
 e read the 
 
 lat's going 
 
 that way." 
 
 but other- 
 
 wise his face was expressionless. He made no 
 pretence that Porter had misunderstood him. 
 He spoke as though unheeding the interrup- 
 tion. 
 
 " If we bring a' out his disappearance for a 
 day or two, — it needn't hurt him any, — we'll 
 control the road, fight or no fight." 
 
 He had meant to say something more, bat 
 he stopped, his eyes fixed on the opening door. 
 Following his gaze Porter turned. 
 
 " Katherine ! " he exclaimed. 
 
 With automatic courtesy, McNally rose and 
 drew up a chair for her, but Katherine did not 
 take it. She had worn a high-collared black 
 velvet cloak over her house dress, and she drew 
 it off and threw it over the desk. Then coming 
 up behind her father she touched his forehead 
 lightly with her cool hands. 
 
 " Keeping everlastingly at it," she said, try- 
 ing to speak lightly, "without any dinner or 
 anything. Is business getting so very, very 
 serious .<* " 
 
 The tenderness of it touched Porter, and 
 though he felt that she should not be there he 
 could not send her away. 
 
 "We're right in the thick of it nov," he said. 
 
 ill 
 
 .1 i 
 
 'if. 
 
 4 
 liiii 
 
 : U' 
 I 
 
 ''>i 
 <I 
 
 i 
 
 v 
 
224 
 
 The Short Line War 
 
 r 
 1 
 
 
 " It will all be over one way or the other in a 
 day or two." 
 
 "And then," said Kathcrine, with a Httle 
 laugh, "and then I'll have somebody to play 
 with again." 
 
 She stooped and kissed him, and then notic- 
 ing that McNally was still standing she ad- 
 dressed him for the first time. 
 
 " Please don't wait for me to sit down. I'm 
 going to stay right here." 
 
 Porter yielded to the restfulness of having 
 her there and sat with closed eyes, while she 
 stroked the trembling lids with the tips of her 
 fingers. Neither of the men spoke, and at last 
 Katherine broke the silence. 
 
 "Don't you think," she said to her father, 
 "that everything would go just as well if you' 
 came home with me now and took a little rest .? 
 You'll feel lots better to-morrow, if you do, 
 and there's a to-morrow coming, you know. It 
 isn't likely that anything more will happen to- 
 night, is it .? " 
 
 " I'm afraid it is," said McNally. " You see 
 we think Weeks is coming down the line now 
 with a trainf ul of armed men, and he may force 
 us into a fight before morning." 
 
McNallys Expedient 
 
 22$ 
 
 Other in a 
 
 h a little 
 y to play 
 
 tien notic- 
 J she ad- 
 
 'wn. I'm 
 
 f having 
 vhile she 
 3S of her 
 nd at last 
 
 r father, 
 II if you 
 itle rest? 
 you do, 
 now. It 
 ppen to- 
 
 You see 
 ne now, 
 ay force 
 
 "I see," said Kathcrine. "That is, when his 
 army meets the one you sent up the line this 
 afternoon." 
 
 Porter moved his head free from her hands 
 and asked sharply, — 
 
 "What do you know about that, dear.?" 
 
 "Just what Senator Jones told me," she 
 answered. " He got off the train at Sawyer- 
 ville and drove over to the Club to tele- 
 phone." 
 
 "Do you know which Senator Jones it was.? " 
 asked McNally. "Was it the one they call 
 'Sporty'.?" 
 
 "Yes," laughed Katherine; "I'm very sure 
 it was that one." 
 
 McNally tui-ned ^uickly to Porter. " He's 
 got it in for your people, hasn't he.?" 
 
 " Yes," the other answered ; ' but he can't do 
 much harm. Nobody pays any attention to 
 him. Do you know, Katherine, whether his 
 telephoning had anything to do with us .? " 
 
 "I'll tell you everything I know about it," 
 she said, and she recounted what she knew of 
 the doings of the Senator on tuat afternoon. 
 
 "Is that bad news.?" she asked, when she 
 had finished. 
 
 1 
 
 ' n 
 
 f 
 
 
 n 
 
 ill 
 
 .1 
 
226 
 
 The Short Line War 
 
 1 i •' 
 
 i ■ 
 
 
 
 
 ^ f 
 
 If 
 
 
 I 
 
 
 " We can hardly tell till we see what happens 
 next," said McNally. 
 
 Katherine seated herself in the chair McNally 
 had placed for her, and Hstened while her father 
 and McNally talked over their plans and specu- 
 lated upon the probable import of the messages 
 which kept coming in. There was no attempt 
 to keep Katherine in the dark as to what their 
 plans were, and for the time she had given up 
 looking at the perplexing aspects of the situa- 
 tion, and was enjoying the action and excite- 
 ment of it. But as the clock ticked off one 
 hour and then another, she noted her father's 
 increasing weariness, and she determined to 
 make another attempt to get him home, where 
 he could, at least, have a few hours' rest. 
 
 She rose, and walking around behind him, as 
 she had done before, she clasped her hands 
 over his eyes, and said: — 
 
 "You're completely worn out, dad. Please 
 come home. I don't believe anything is going 
 to happen after all." 
 
 Porter sighed wearily; but he said, "My 
 dear, if Jim Weeks is coming down the line, 
 somethmg is sure to happen." 
 
 "Do you think he's on the train himself.?" 
 she asked. 
 
at happens 
 
 ir McNally 
 her father 
 ind specu- 
 : messages 
 io attempt 
 vhat their 
 '. given up 
 the situa- 
 nd excite- 
 i off one 
 r father's 
 mined to 
 ne, where 
 
 St. 
 
 d him, as 
 er hands 
 
 . Please 
 is going 
 
 id, "My 
 the line, 
 
 imseif ? " 
 
 McNally s Expedient 
 
 227 
 
 I 
 
 McNally looked up quickly. It was not the 
 question, but something that the question sug- 
 gested to him, that made him say : — 
 
 " Probably not. We think young West is in 
 charge of the gang." 
 
 Katherine's hands were still clasped over her 
 father's eyes, and McNally took the opportunity 
 this afforded him to accompany his words with 
 a meaning look that was insolent in its intent- 
 ness. In spite of herself Katherine felt the 
 blood mounting into her cheeks and forehead, 
 and McNally, seeing the blush, made no effort to 
 conceal his smile. Katherine did not flinch from 
 his gaze, but returned it squarely. Dropping 
 her hands to her father's shoulders, she said 
 steadily : — 
 
 " I suppose he is on the train. He likes that 
 sort of thing. Of course Mr. McNally will lead 
 our forlorn hope when it starts out." 
 
 She smiled as she said it, for he winced 
 under the thrust. 
 
 He rose hurriedly, and as he moved toward 
 the door he spoke to Porter. 
 
 "I've got some business to attend to with 
 Wilkins. I'll be back soon." 
 
 When he had left the room Porter turned to 
 Katherine. 
 
 ,1 
 
 
 iTJ] 
 
 \l 
 
 ?; 
 
 M 
 
 'H 
 
228 
 
 The Short Line War 
 
 h * • 
 
 "You'd better go home now. I can't go 
 until we know what is going on out on the 
 road. I'll come as soon as I can, but you must 
 go now." 
 
 He had spoken gently, but with a finahty 
 that left Katherine no hope of persuading him 
 He took up her cloak and threw it over her 
 shoulders, and kissed her. 
 
 " Good night. I'll come along by and by " 
 " If you don't, I'll come back after you." 
 Without waiting to hear her father's dissent 
 which she knew would follow this declaration' 
 she fled from the room and down the steps to 
 her carriage. 
 
 As she settled herself among the robes and 
 cushions she heard McNally's voice : — 
 " Can you find the right men to do it .? " 
 The door slammed and the carriage clattered 
 away with Katherine wondering what "it" was 
 
 fiiii 
 
 m\ 
 
can't go 
 
 ut on the 
 
 you must 
 
 a finality 
 
 tding him. 
 
 over her 
 
 id by." 
 
 ^ou." 
 
 s dissent, 
 
 claration, 
 
 ■ steps to 
 
 obes and 
 
 .?" 
 
 clattered 
 it" was. 
 
 CHAPTER XVII 
 
 IN THE DARK 
 
 After leaving Brushingham, Harvey and 
 his crew merely duplicated the enemy's per- 
 formance of the afternoon. The C. & S. C. 
 employees were thrown out before they had 
 become thoroughly settled, and with each new 
 capture messages flew back to Mattison at 
 Manchester, giving him and Jim Weeks a 
 detailed account of the progress of the train. 
 The greatest care was exercised to keep news 
 of the train from Truesdale. Wherever there 
 was a possibility of the ejected men reaching a 
 telephone, they were actually taken in custody 
 and placed under guard. The operators were 
 instructed to answer all messages from the 
 Truesdale despatcher as intelligently as possible, 
 in order to continue the deception. 
 
 It was a long, hard ride. Harvey was called 
 upon constantly to exercise ingenuity in the 
 handling of his forces, and though Mallory was 
 
 229 
 
 m 
 II 
 
 
 t; H 
 
 
 1il 
 
 '' fm 
 
u^ 
 
 !• * 
 
 m 
 
 230 
 
 T/ie Short Line War 
 
 ■ 
 
 
 ^H' 
 
 
 
 •i 
 '1 
 
 lli" 
 
 
 Of great assistance, the strain of responsibility 
 rested upon Harvey. He was tired when he 
 started, but as the night wore on toward morn- 
 ing, nothing but his sound nerves kept him 
 on his feet. At two-thirty o'clock they were 
 within twenty miles of Truesdale, and Harvey 
 and Mallory were both in the engine, anx- 
 iously looking for obstructions. From Matti- 
 son's despatches they knew that reenforcements 
 were flying down over an open road, but the 
 collecting of a second force had taken time, and 
 It was nearly midnight before the second train 
 was on its way, a hundred and sixty-five miles 
 from Harvey's present location. 
 
 Nearly all Harvey's men had been dropped 
 along the line, and he was in no position for 
 a conflict, particularly as he had no knowl- 
 edge of the enemy's location or preparedness 
 Mallory was for pausing until the other train 
 should reach them, probably about daylight 
 He argued that they had nothing to gain 
 and everything to lose. Harvey, undecided, 
 referred to his map, spreading it out on the 
 fireman's bench while Mallory lighted matches 
 and held them over the paper. Harvey ran his 
 finger down the line to Sawyerville. 
 
In the Dark 
 
 sponsibility 
 d when he 
 tvard morn- 
 kept him 
 they were 
 ^^ Harvey 
 igine, anx- 
 *om Matti- 
 forcements 
 d, but the 
 1 time, and 
 cond train 
 -five miles 
 
 1 dropped 
 )sition for 
 10 knowl- 
 ^aredness. 
 ther train 
 
 daylight. 
 
 to gain 
 ndecided, 
 It on the 
 
 matches 
 :y ran his 
 
 231 
 
 " Just north of the Sawyerville station," he 
 said, "there is a curve and a deep cut. I am 
 inclined to think that if they try to block the 
 road they'll do it there. The quarries are right 
 at hand, and all they need to do is to roll a few 
 rocks down." 
 
 " Do you think they would try that .? " asked 
 Mallory. " It would block them worse than it 
 would us." 
 
 " I don't know about that, but I'll feel a lot 
 easier when we're through that cut with open 
 country between us and Truesdale. Run slow, 
 Donohue, and put out your headlight. Mal- 
 lory, you see that the train is perfectly dark. 
 We might as well try a little bluffing even if we 
 do strike them. They won't know but what 
 we've got five hundred men aboard, and the 
 others will reach us before they find it out." 
 
 Mallory clambered over the coal in the ten- 
 der, while the fireman crawled out on the run- 
 ning board and extinguished the headlight. 
 The night was very dark, and Jawn leaned out 
 of the cab window, his left hand gripping the 
 throttle lever. The fireman was badly in need 
 of sleep, and showed a tendency to grumble in 
 a half-incoherent way, but Jawn was as silent 
 
 
 %\ 
 
 m 
 
 
 
 ^ 
 
 n 
 
 m 
 
 1 
 
 ifol 
 
 t 'i 
 

 ! - ; 
 
 ' I 
 
 i; 
 
 
 232 
 
 T/ie Short Line War 
 
 as at the start. To Harvey, who even in the 
 excitement was afraid to sit down for fear of 
 lalhng asleep, the engineer was a marvel in his 
 machme-like self-control. 
 
 Slowly the line of empty cars rolled along 
 Jawn's eyes were glued to the track in front 
 which to Harvey seemed a constantly resolving 
 confusion of shadows. The tall gray telegraph 
 poles crept by with monotonous regularity until 
 Harvey turned away and looked out at the dim 
 meadows on the left, over which was spread a 
 ghostly film of mist. 
 
 "There's the cut," said Jawn. 
 Harvey looked forward, but could see noth- 
 ing. Jawn, however, gradually slackened speed 
 until they were barely moving. Mallory ap- 
 peared on the tender and came over the coal 
 to the apron, where he stood leaning out with 
 one arm around the cab door-post. The fire- 
 n A heaped a shovel with coal, and staggering 
 wearily into the cab he knocked open the door 
 of the fire-box from which a dull glow tem- 
 pered the darkness. Harvey seated himself on 
 the fireman's seat, holding himself stiffly erect 
 and trying to distinguish the track before. 
 
 n 
 
 Jawn slowlv hrnufyVif tV> 
 
 r^ «-».-,:_ 
 
 V- tram lu a 
 
 stop. 
 
In the Dark 
 " asked Harv 
 
 233 
 
 "What is iti 
 thing ahead ? " 
 
 " No. We're about two hundred yards from 
 the curve." 
 
 Harvey turned to Mallory. 
 
 "We'd better throw out a few men ahead, 
 Mallory, to see that the track is clear." 
 
 " Haven't got many left, not more than half 
 a dozen altogether." 
 
 Harvey stepped down and stretched his tired 
 limbs. 
 
 " I'll go myself," he said. " Call one of your 
 men up here." 
 
 Mallory climbed back on the tender and 
 whistled. A man who had been sitting on the 
 steps of the first car came forward. 
 
 "You wait here, Donohue," said Harvey. 
 "If everything is all right, I'll come back." 
 He struck a match and looked at his watch. 
 "We've been taking time enough. It's three- 
 fifteen now. I'll walk along the top of the cut 
 on the left-hand side, and you " — to the detec- 
 tive—^you take the other side. Keep within 
 easy hail — " He paused abruptly. Through 
 the crisp night air came the roll and snort of an 
 engine. There was a long silence in the cab. 
 
 m 
 
 Ml 
 
 '■.IJ 
 
 i^< 
 
 ;itl 
 
 iiU 
 
 m 
 
 ■:i!m 
 
 <I;J 
 
234 
 
 The SJiort Line War 
 
 M' 
 
 M 
 
 " She's running slow," said Jawn, at length. 
 
 Harvey stood breaking the match into bits. 
 The noise of the other train came slowly nearer, 
 but so slowly that all listened breathlessly. 
 After a little they could hear the rumbling of an 
 exhaust, and Jawn muttered, " She's stopped." 
 
 "We'd better wait," said Mallory. "It's 
 more than likely that they have another gang 
 ready for us. They probably will be coming 
 thio way before long." 
 
 Harvey stepped up to the fireman's seat again, 
 and fixed his eyes on the black cut ahead. It 
 was still dark, but he could now distinguish the 
 deep shadow which marked the spot where 
 the track bent sharply to the left between its 
 rock walls. For some time all were silent, lis- 
 tening to the noise of the other engine. Jawn 
 sat on his bench, which he had not left for 
 hours, ready either for going ahead or for back- 
 ing, as the circumstances should dictate. Mallory 
 moved to the step and swung out as before, watch- 
 ing and listening. The fireman swung his arms 
 and shifted his feet in an effort to keep awake. 
 Occasionally they could hear men shouting, 
 then there would be no sound save the subdued 
 hiss of steam. After a long wait a bell rang. 
 
yar 
 
 In the Dark 
 
 
 wn, at length, 
 natch into bits, 
 e slowly nearer, 
 d breathlessly, 
 rumbling of an 
 he's stopped." 
 lallory. " It's 
 ; another gang 
 will be coming 
 
 an's seat again, 
 cut ahead. It 
 distinguish the 
 le spot where 
 lit between its 
 were silent, lis- 
 engine. Jawn 
 id not left for 
 id or for back- 
 ctate. Mallory 
 5 before, watch- 
 iwung his arms 
 :o keep awake, 
 men shouting, 
 'e the subdued 
 it a bell rang. 
 
 and Jawn's grasp tightened, but the other engine 
 gave only a few coughs and stopped again. The 
 ensuing silence was broken by Harvey stepping 
 to the tender and beckoning to the detective, 
 who had been sitting on the coal. 
 
 "All right," said Harvey. "We'll go ahead 
 and see what they're up to. You take the right 
 bank, and keep close to the edge where I can 
 talk to you if necessary," He swung out of the 
 cab and began laboriously to climb up the 
 seamed sloping rock, which reached a man's 
 height above the cab roof. 
 
 Excepting the occasional cracks and jagged 
 projections there was no foothold, and it was at 
 the expense of cut and scraped hands that he 
 scrambled up the soft limestone and reached 
 the top. He sat for a moment on the ground to 
 recover his breath and to pull himself together. 
 The detective was standing on the opposite bank 
 and Harvey rose and stumbled forward. They 
 crept along, climbing fences and tripping 
 through underbrush. As they rounded the 
 curve the ground began to slope away, and soon 
 they could see the headlight of an engine. Be- 
 hind it, at the Sawyerville platform, stretched a 
 train of lighted cars. 
 
 • V'W 
 
 iM 
 
 'I' 
 
 'ihI 
 
 ■ i 
 1. 
 
'If 
 
 vy 
 
 1 1 
 
 
 
 236 
 
 The Short Line War 
 
 i; 
 
 Harvey and the detective had been talking 
 across the cut, but now for the sake of caution 
 they went on in silence. Harvey slipped around 
 a farmyard that backed up to the track, and 
 struck into the woods that lie north of Sawyer- 
 ville almost up to the station and its lonely 
 cluster of houses. Stepping quietly along a 
 bridle path he soon came within earshot of the 
 station. 
 
 Little knots of men stood on the platform 
 talking excitedly. The new station agent and 
 operator was running about in his shirt sleeves 
 with his hand full of papers. Within the cars 
 were crowds of men ; Harvey estimated that 
 there were several hundred. Standing near the 
 engine, the centre of a small group, was a large 
 man whom Harvey thought was McNally, but 
 he could not be certain at that distance and in 
 the uncertain light of flickering station lamps. 
 
 Harvey's sporting blood was up, and with 
 entire forgetfulness of his exhaustion he crept 
 slowly forward, worming through the brush and 
 long grass behind a snake fence. Slowly he 
 progressed until only a muddy road intervened 
 between him and the north end of the platform. 
 Taking advantage of a noisy blow-ofi from the 
 
In the Dark 
 
 237 
 
 engine, he piled some brush up in front of him 
 and stretched out at full length with his chin on 
 his arm, dewing the scene through the open- 
 ing between the two lowest rails of the fence. 
 Now he could easily recognize McNally, and 
 without being able to distinguish words could 
 even hear him talking. .Suddenly McNally 
 stepped out from the group and called down the 
 platform, — 
 
 " Blake, are Wilkins and the boys back yet > " 
 The reply was lost to Harvey, but McNally 
 shouted, — 
 
 "If they aren't here in five minutes, so 
 ahead." ^ 
 
 That told Harvey just what he wanted to 
 know, and slowly turning he began crawling 
 back. But before he had gone very far, he 
 heard a sound which suggested possibilities.' It 
 was the wheezing of his own engine at the 
 other end of the curve. Now that he stopped 
 to think, he realized that it must have been per- 
 fectly audible to McNally's party. From this 
 It was naturally to be inferred that ''the boys " 
 had been sent out on a mission similar to his 
 own. It occurred to him that he and they 
 might have passed, and that the repassing might 
 
 ■ I 
 
 Ml 
 
 ' i 
 
 'M 
 
 4};|lj 
 
 ■■ ufS 
 
1'. ■; 
 
 238 
 
 T/ie Short Line War 
 
 
 M 
 
 H.I 
 
 «■•■ 
 
 
 ■" ,i-r 
 
 not so easily be accomplished. He increased 
 his efforts and soon was deep enough in the 
 woods to get to his feet and run. When he 
 drew near the farmhouse he took a detour and 
 passed it with fifty yards to spare. He could 
 not afford to rouse any dogs. He was getting 
 into the open when three or four men appeared 
 directly in front of him, walking slowly from a 
 strip of woods toward the track. Harvey dug 
 his heel into the ground and dodged back, but 
 the men saw hin and without a word started in 
 pursuit. 
 
 The chase was not a long one. Harvey was 
 completely hemmed in, and exhausted as he 
 was and spent with running, he was soon over- 
 hauled. He tried to call out, but one of the 
 men gripped his mouth. 
 
 Mallory, as soon as Harvey was out of sight, 
 settled down to await his return with more or 
 less impatience. The fireman leaned against 
 the forward end of the tender and promptly fell 
 asleep, but J awn waked him with a growl, 
 whereupon the exhausted man stood erect, 
 struggling to bring his rebellious nerves under 
 control. As the minutes slipped by Jawn's 
 
In the Dark 
 
 239 
 
 eyes shifted from track to bank and back to 
 the cut again. The clouds that lingered from 
 the afternoon rain hid every star save one 
 near the horizon, which struggled to announce 
 the coming dawn. 
 
 Ten minutes passed, and fifteen. Then came 
 the warning bell of the other locomotive, fol- 
 lowed by a quick succession of puffs as the l.i,^ 
 drive'-'^ gripped the rails. Jawn leaned far out 
 thf vvindo V and scanned the banks of the cut. 
 No G-ie wa. i in sight. He ducked in and seized 
 the th-'ottie lever. 
 
 " Hold on," saifl Mallory. " Are they coming 
 this way .? " 
 
 " Yes." 
 
 Mallory seized his arm. 
 
 " Back up, then. We can't meet them." 
 
 Jawn jerked his elbow from Mallory's grasp 
 and opened the throttle. 
 
 "Are you crazy,' man!" Mallory shouted. 
 "Stop her! You'll kill us!" 
 
 Jawn opened her a little wider. For an in- 
 stant Mallory looked at him in wonder, then he 
 sprang forward and jammed the lever close to 
 the boiler. 
 
 " Reverse ! " he ordered. 
 
 i , 
 
 'f 
 
 1 
 
Wf^ 
 
 \t i 
 
 it ' ^ 
 
 i 
 
 r 
 
 P- 
 
 ii 
 
 fi: 
 
 ! tSl, 
 
 fi 
 
 ii'if 
 
 M -} 
 
 »• 
 
 A 
 
 240 
 
 77/^ 5//^/'/ Z/;/^ War 
 
 For reply Jawn turned on Mallory and crowded 
 him back. Weak-nerved from the long strain, 
 suffering for lack of sleep, the two men broke 
 down for the moment, and struggled about the 
 cab. The fireman stumbled back against the 
 boiler with a dazed face, but after a moment he 
 recovered and rushed between the two men. 
 
 " This ain't right ! " he screamed. ** If you 
 two fight, we're ditched." 
 
 As he spoke, the d'^tective who had gone with 
 Harvey came slipping and tumbling down the 
 cut, and clambered aboard the engine. Jawn 
 and Mallory fell back against the opposite 
 benches and glared at each other. Jawn sud- 
 denly reached for the throttle. 
 
 " Wait a minute," gasped Mallory ; " she's 
 stopped." 
 
 Half reluctantly Jawn listened. Sure enough, 
 the other train had paused, evidently just around 
 the curve. 
 
 " The man's right," Mallory went on. " We 
 haven't got any business scrapping ; we've got 
 to pull together. Now tell me what you were 
 trying to do." 
 
 Jawn looked out ahead before he replied, — 
 
 '* I ain't going to leave Mr. West down there." 
 
In the Dark 
 
 241 
 
 " Isn't Mr. West back ? " asked the detective, 
 in a startled tone. " He's had time enough to 
 go clear to the station and back. I went pretty- 
 near to it myself. They've got a train full of 
 men. It looks like business." 
 
 "Hear that, Donohue.?" said Mallory. "What 
 do you think we can do against a gang like that.? " 
 
 " That don't make no difference. Mr. Matti- 
 son says, * Hold the hne if you lose an engine 
 doing it,' and I'm going to hold it." 
 
 "But stop to think, man. There isn't a 
 possible chance of aolding it. We'll do more 
 good by dodging back and keeping them guess- 
 ing until the relief comes. As it stands now we 
 are perfectly helpless." 
 
 " Now look here," said Jawn. " You go back 
 and fetch every man you got." 
 
 " What are you up to } " 
 
 " No difference what I'm up to. You fetch 
 your men." 
 
 Mallory looked sharply at Jawn, then he mo- 
 tioned to the detective, who dropped to the 
 ground and hurried back. 
 
 "What's your plan.?" Mallory asked again. 
 But Jawn shook his head and watched the cut. 
 
 In a moment the detective reappeared fol- 
 
 R 
 
 II I 
 
 m 
 
 
 
 rfj 
 
 ^i^ 
 
in 
 
 H » 
 
 242 
 
 The Short Line War 
 
 lowed by five others. All six came crowding 
 upon the apron. Without leaving his seat 
 Jawn gave his orders, — 
 
 " Get on the tender, as high up as you can, 
 and when we go at 'em, yell like hell." 
 
 With startled, wondering faces the men 
 clambered back, Mallory among them, taking 
 positions on the tank and on what was left of 
 the coal. From around the curve another suc- 
 cession of puffs drew Jawn's eyes to the front, 
 and his grip tightened. 
 
 " Hold on, back there," he called, "and don't 
 yell till I holler. Fire up, Billy." 
 
 Billy fired up and the engine moved slowly 
 forward. She crept cautiously toward the 
 curve, foot by foot. On the rock wall dead 
 ahead a yellow light flashed, and then crept 
 around toward them. Jawn waited until it was 
 almost full in his eyes. 
 
 " Whistle, Billy," he said. 
 
 The hoarse whistle shrieked, and the other 
 engine seemed to start, ^^en hesitate. 
 
 "Now," said Jawn, without looking around, 
 and he let out a tremendous yell of " At 'em, 
 boys ! " The men on the tender promptly raised 
 an uproar, the fireman shouted as he jerked the 
 
ing his seat 
 
 1, " and don't 
 
 In the Dark 
 
 whistle cord, and J awn sat with one eye on the 
 indicator, the other on the approaching head- 
 light, his bass voice all the while roaring out a 
 fiery challenge not unmixed with profanity. 
 
 The engineer of McNally's special had 
 received no orders to sacrifice his engine, 
 and had no desire to sacrifice himself. He 
 wavered, stopped, then tried to back. But 
 Jawn let out another notch, and rammed his 
 bull nose into and through the other's pilot 
 with such force that both locomotives left the 
 track. 
 
 id the other 
 
J' 
 
 
 w 
 
 mm: 
 
 CHAPTER XVIII 
 
 THE COMING OF DAWN 
 
 i 
 
 If 
 
 11 ji 
 
 The collision occurred at the southern end of 
 the cut. It had for the men in the C & S. C. 
 train the additional force of unexpectedness. It 
 was not violent, as railway collisions go, but the 
 shock of it was enough to jerk the huddled, 
 dozing men out of their seats, and to awaken 
 them to a full consciousness that something 
 had happened. In the stupefied hush which 
 followed the crash they heard outside the train 
 a chorus of shoutings, — derisive, blasphemous, 
 triumphant. That completed their momentary 
 demoralization ; a panic swept them away, and 
 the frenzied men fought each other in the effort 
 to reach the car doors. 
 
 But the rush was checked as suddenly as it 
 had begun. The first men to get through the 
 doors had hardly leaped to the ground when 
 they saw from the shadow of the cut the vicious 
 spit of revolvers and heard the bullets singing 
 
 244 
 
 W 
 
The Coming of Dawn 
 
 245 
 
 unpleasantly over their heads. Where they 
 stood the gray dawn made them perfectly 
 visible, but the blackness of the cut screened 
 their assailants and made it impossible to guess 
 their numbers. About twenty men had got 
 out of the C. & S. C. train when the volley was 
 fired, and the celerity with which they scat- 
 tered brought another cheer from Mallory's 
 men intrenched in the cut. 
 
 Some of the fugitives scurried to the woods, 
 while others struggled back into the cars. The 
 shots had been heard inside the cars, and the 
 rush to get out of them was succeeded by 
 the impulse to lie down. The men were with- 
 out leaders, without means of measuring the 
 peril they were in or the force of their oppo- 
 nents, without knowledge of what was expected 
 of them ; and they lay cowering but angry in 
 the barricaded cars, awaiting further develop- 
 ments. 
 
 There was no one to tell them what to do. 
 Where were their leaders.? The murmur ran 
 through the line of cars that McNally and 
 Wilkins had deserted them. For neither of 
 them was on the train when the collision 
 occurred. 
 
 II. 
 
 
 
 «^.»li.Mj 
 
ii L> 
 
 Wli 
 
 M* • 
 
 246 
 
 T/ie Short Line War 
 
 McNally, standing on the Sawyerville plat- 
 form near the rear end of his train, had already 
 given the signal to go ahead when a man came 
 out of the woods, hurried at:ross the muddy 
 road, ran down the platfonn, and clutching 
 his arm said eagerly : — 
 
 "Mr. McNally, Wilkins wants you to come 
 over here. We've caught one of them and he 
 says he thinks it.-i the one you told him about." 
 
 McNally turned and shouted to the engineer, 
 " Hold on up there a minute " ; but the cry was 
 unheard, and the long train continued slowly 
 toward the curve. Smith, who had just brought 
 the report to McNally, started up the platform 
 in pursuit, but 'vIcNally stopped him. 
 
 "Never mind/' he said. "They won't go 
 far. Now tell me about this fellow you've 
 caught. Where was he .-* " 
 
 " Right over here in the woods ; it's only 
 a Uttle way. Wilkins wanted you should come 
 over there." 
 
 " Go ahead," said McNally. " Show me the 
 way." 
 
 The two men crossed the road and entered 
 the woods by the path. It was still as black as 
 niiunignt under tne trees, an^i tiiey iCn. tneir 
 
The Coming of Dawn 
 
 247 
 
 Show me the 
 
 \ and entered 
 till as black as 
 
 way cautiously. Just north of the farmhouse 
 they left the path and stepped into the crack- 
 ling underbrush. They had gone but a few 
 paces when they were stopped by the sound 
 of a low whistle close by at their left. 
 
 "There they are," said the guide. 
 
 McNally started to follow him, but hesitated 
 and then whispered : — 
 
 "I'll v/ait here. Send Wilkins out to me, 
 will you } " 
 
 When Wilkins appeared McNally stepped 
 back a little and looked around nervously 
 before he spoke. 
 
 " Can they hear us } " 
 
 Wilkins shook his head. 
 
 "How much did you tell that young fellow 
 of our conversation?" questioned McNally. 
 
 " Smith } Nothing but just what he told you. 
 I said I thought he was the man you told me 
 about." 
 
 " What does he look like t " 
 
 "Big man -~ straight dark hair. I took 
 these out of his sockets." 
 
 They were a handful of papers, and McNally 
 took them eagerly. "That's something like," 
 he said. 
 
 i 
 
 'ii 
 
 i "V*'t 
 
yfi 
 
 f: 
 
 W 
 
 248 
 
 T/ie Short Line War 
 
 It was too dark to make out anything, and 
 he struck a match. The crackle was followed 
 by another sound from the thicket, as though 
 a man had moved suddenly and violently. 
 McNally started and dropped the match, glanc- 
 ing suspiciously toward the spot whence the 
 sound came. 
 
 " It's only the boys," said Wilkins. " Here, 
 I'll give you a light." 
 
 As he sheltered the flickering match-light 
 with his hands, McNally glanced over the 
 papers. One of them he found by unfolding 
 to be a map of the railroad. There were some 
 memoranda, scrawled and unintelligible, and 
 last of all, what appeared to be a note in a 
 crumpled blue envelope, bearing a week-old 
 postmark. He scrutinized it closely, and then 
 rubbed his soft hands over it. There was the 
 caricature of a smile on his face. 
 
 " That's all the li<>;ht I need. He's the man." 
 
 As Wilkins dropped the match, McNally 
 turned a little and slipped the blue note into 
 his pocket. Then he handed the other papers 
 to Wilkins, saying: — 
 
 " Put them back where you found them. 
 We don't want to rob him." 
 
 IB: 
 
 5>i- 
 
The Coming of Dawn 
 
 kins. " Here, 
 
 found them. 
 
 249 
 
 In a moment, with lowered voice he went ^ 
 
 on: — 
 
 " I don't think it's necessary for me to give 
 any further instructions. When you go back 
 there just tell those men what we want. It's 
 recessary that West shall be out of the game 
 for the next day or two, that's all. I'll walk 
 along toward the train, and when you get 
 through with them follow me down the track. 
 What force have they on the other train } " 
 
 " Not more than twenty men." 
 
 "That simplifies—" 
 
 As he started to speak there came to his ears 
 a splintering crash followed by a quick succes- 
 sion of shots. 
 
 McNally smiled. "The boys are rushing 
 things," he said. "I hope they are *'• doing 
 anything rash. I'll hurry along and pacify 'em. 
 Follow me as soon as you can, will you } " 
 
 He turned to go, but Wilkins waited. 
 
 "Mr. McNally," he said, "I guess you'd 
 better attend to that West business yourself. 
 I'll send one of those men to you, and take 
 Smith down to the train with me." 
 
 •* What do you mean .? " 
 
 •* I guess you can see what I mean all right," 
 
 -*■'( 
 
 \ m 
 
 !■ i 
 
 :ll! 
 
 sn 
 
 Mill 
 
 1' '.'% 
 
 '1 
 
 •1' 3 
 
 5 
 i 
 
 J J 
 
 A 
 
 ii 
 
f 
 
 f- 
 
 250 
 
 The Short Line War 
 
 \i 1 
 
 
 I: 
 
 «J 
 
 I 
 
 said Wilkins. " I'd rather let you be respon- 
 sible for any kidnapping." 
 
 He did not wait for a reply, but hurried into 
 the thicket, and nodding to one of the men who 
 still held Harvey he said in a 'ow tone : — 
 
 "You're wanted out there. Your partners 
 cqn ^old this chap all right." Then with 
 a gesture motioning Smith to follow, he felt 
 his way througli the woods and down the side 
 of the cut to the track. 
 
 Once out of the shadow of the trees he could 
 see plainly enough, for dawn was breaking 
 fast. The rear end of his train was in sight, 
 about a hundred yards up the track ; the head 
 of it was hidden bv the curve. From the cut 
 he could hear derisive shouts and cat-calls, 
 but from his own train not a so id. Puzzled 
 and a little alarmed, he bi oke into ■ . run. He 
 passed tl rear cars and came anv id the '^urve 
 in sight of the men in the cut. 
 
 "Get back Viere, you damned robber! 
 shouted one of them, md the command was 
 followed by a shot. 
 
 The bullet went high over Wilkins's head, but 
 it had its effect none the less. He sprang up 
 the btepi of the rcarcst car and threw himself 
 
ou be respon- 
 
 thi'cV." hiinScii 
 
 The Coming of Dawn 
 
 251 
 
 against the door. It resisted his efforts, how- 
 ever, and from inside the car came another 
 warning, for a gruff voice said : — 
 
 " Quit that, if you don't want to be blown full 
 of holes." 
 
 Wilkins stepped out of line of the door before 
 he answered : — 
 
 " Let me in, you fool. It's me, Wilkins." 
 
 The door opened slowly and he looked into 
 the barrel of a levelled revolver, which was 
 lev ;red when he was recognized. He looked 
 about the crowded car in increasing amazement, 
 the men shifting sullenly under his glance. At 
 last he said : — 
 
 "What in hell are you men doing here? 
 Scared to death, too; and by half a dozen 
 men ! Stand up now, and go out there and tie 
 'em up. It won't take you but a minute." 
 
 There was an inarticulate grov I of protest, and 
 the man who had been guarding the door spoke : 
 
 "They've got us in a hole. We started to 
 get off the train and they h.iot at us from the 
 cut. They can pick off l^ke rabbits." 
 
 Wilkins hesitated. Fie aid not know whether 
 or not the men in the cut would shuot to kill, 
 but he saw that their position gave them 1 tre- 
 
 
 ■ft 
 
 ' H 
 
 m 
 
 
 Ri 
 
 
r 
 
 ir^s 
 
 
 1 
 
 
 
 fc 
 
 1^. 
 
 r- 
 
 M • 
 
 252 
 
 T/ir Short Line War 
 
 Ml 
 
 mendous advantage in the first rush. He did 
 not care to face the responsibility of ordering a 
 charge that would prove too costly. After a 
 moment he said : — 
 
 " It'll be all right if you all do it together. 
 One of you speak to the men in the forward 
 cars and I'll go back and do the same thing. 
 Then when we give the signal make a rush." 
 
 Wilkins went through towai d the rear of the 
 train, as he had said, but his object was to 
 gain time and to wait for "^IcNally. Then the 
 responsibility could be shifted to where it be- 
 longed. When he reached the rear platform 
 he saw McNally coming up the track. He 
 hurried to meet him, and in a few words laid 
 the situation before him. 
 
 McNally's upper lip drew away from his 
 teeth as he heard it, but he spoke quietly. 
 
 " They've got us bluffed down, haven't they .? 
 But I guess it's about time we called them. 
 They'll be pretty careful not to hit anybody 
 with those guns of theirs. Have the men come 
 through to the rear of the train and get off from 
 this platform where they'll be screened by the 
 curve. Then they can spread out through the 
 woods and come down on 'em from the sides of 
 the cut." 
 
 n^. 
 
The Comhfr of Dawn 
 
 253 
 
 Of course the odds were overwhelming ; they 
 were greater even than the numerical disparity 
 would indicate, for the men in the cut were 
 utterly exhausted. They had staked every- 
 thing on their bluff and had been sustained for 
 a time by seeing that it was succeeding. But 
 at last Jawn, standing in the cab of his derailed 
 locomotive, saw something that made him call 
 quickly to Mallory. 
 "They've started," he said. 
 " Where are they .? " 
 "Comin' up through the woods." 
 Mallory glanced quickly about and said, 
 "We're flanked. There's no good in staging 
 here, is there.!*" 
 
 " The baggage car'll hold together for a while, 
 and the other train ought to be here now." 
 
 "Well," said Mallory, "we'll try it. Come 
 on, boys, get to cover." 
 
 The men climbed into the car, and Jawn and 
 Mallory were discussing methods for defending 
 it, when the fireman thought of something. 
 
 " How about Bill Jones } " he asked. " He's 
 back with the flag. Ain't he liable to get snapped 
 up .? " 
 
 " He'll have to take his chances," said Mallory. 
 
 I'M 
 
 £ i 
 ! ■ > 
 
 '; / 
 
 I. ! 
 
 
 iimiii 
 
 IJ 
 
^ 
 
 ^^w 
 
 1 
 
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 ■t : 
 
 * 
 
 
 254 
 
 T/te Short Line War 
 
 m 
 
 w 
 
 { 
 
 P' 
 
 I' f' 
 
 ' '.'■; ( 
 
 t > 
 
 " Hold on, though. It won't do for them to find 
 him." 
 
 He glanced out of the window and then ran 
 out on the platform. 
 
 " There's time enough, I guess," he muttered, 
 turning and speaking into the car. " I'm goin' 
 back with him." 
 
 He disappeared, and Jawn quietly assumed 
 command of the defences. "Don't do any 
 shooting," he said. " It won't help any in this 
 mix-up. These are good to hit with," and he 
 showed a coupling pin he held in his hand. 
 
 When the preparations were made for the 
 defence, and all the bulky articles in the car 
 had been placed where they would be most in 
 the way of an attacking party, the men waited. 
 They were stupid with fatigue, and even the 
 prospect of an immediate attack failed to arouse 
 them ; but they were still game, and though they 
 lay about the floor in attitudes of utter exhaus- 
 tion their sullen determination to hold the car 
 was unmistakable. 
 
 At last a shower of stones came rattling about 
 the car, and they heard the shouts of two hun- 
 dred men who came charging down the banks 
 into the cut. Jawn and his men breathed more 
 
 I''' 
 
 v\^- 
 
The Coming of Dawn 
 
 255 
 
 ir them to find 
 
 and then ran 
 
 ' he muttered, 
 . "I'm goin' 
 
 ietly assumed 
 Don't do any 
 Ip any in this 
 tvith," and he 
 his hand, 
 made for the 
 !es in the car 
 [d be most in 
 I men waited, 
 and even the 
 tiled to arouse 
 d though they 
 utter exhaus- 
 i hold the car 
 
 rattling about 
 :s of two hun- 
 wn the banks 
 )reathed more 
 
 freely now that the waiting was over, and drew 
 themselves up with a spark of their old alertness. 
 One man began singing, drumming on the car 
 floor with a stick, — 
 
 "There'll be a hot time — " 
 
 and another, springing to his feet, took to bal- 
 ancing his loaded club, shifting it from finger to 
 finger, and then catching it in his hand he struck 
 quick and hard through the air to see where the 
 grip was best. 
 
 Then they heard the sound of feet on the 
 north platform, and some one tried the door. 
 "Guess they're in here," they heard him say. 
 
 "Guess you'll find that you're dead right 
 about that," observed the man who had been 
 singing. 
 
 Jawn said no word, but waited with blazing 
 eyes beside the door. He meant to strike the 
 first blow with his coupling pin. There were 
 two ineffectual thuds against the door and then 
 a crash. The hinges started and one panel 
 splintered inward. Another, and this time the 
 door fell and a giant of a man, jerked off his 
 baiance by the sledge he had swung, staggered 
 
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 M>. 
 
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 256 
 
 T/ie Short Line War 
 
 m% 
 
 into the car. Jawn struck; the man's collar- 
 bone crackled under the coupling pin and he 
 fell forward with a yell. Then over him and 
 over the fallen door came the rush. The hand- 
 ful of defenders chose their corners and fought 
 in them, each in his own way ; some in a sort 
 of hysteria, screaming curses, some striking 
 silently, and one, the singer, with a laugh on 
 his lips. When the fireman was struck sense- 
 less, this man fought over him until forced back 
 by press of numbers, so that he no longer had 
 room to strike. 
 
 The defence of the baggage car was over, 
 and the defenders, disabled and disarmed, were 
 submitting to the handcuffs or to the bits of 
 rope which were used in securing them, when 
 there came a sound of cheering, which made 
 their captors leave them hastily and clamber 
 from the car. The relief had come. 
 
 It came on the run, with Mallory at the head. 
 There was no order, no pretence at formation ; 
 simply a stream of eager, angry men, some run- 
 ning through the cut along the tracks, others 
 stumbling through the woods above, all ani- 
 mated by the desire to reach the scene of action 
 as quicklv as possible. And waitino- for th^m 
 
 tai 
 
"S 
 
 dnsT for them 
 
 The Coming of Dawn 257 
 
 waj. another mob of men, the main body of 
 McNally's army. They were crowded in the 
 cut on both sides of the train they had just 
 captured, with the knowledge rankling in their 
 hearts that they had been held at bay by a 
 handful of determined men. They were glad 
 they had somebody to fight. 
 
 The moment the two bodies of men came 
 together the confusion became indescribable. 
 The men had no means of distinguishing be- 
 tween friend and foe. They were at too close 
 quarters to make fighting possible, and if it had 
 been, no one would have known whom to strike 
 and whom to defend. The cut was densely 
 packed with men who strained and swayed 
 and struggled and swore, but who could not by 
 any possibility fight. But slowly the increasing 
 weight of the new arrivals began to tell, and 
 slowly, almost imperceptibly, the mass began 
 to move south. Eventually they would push 
 out of the cut to the open, where they could 
 discuss matters more satisfactorily. 
 
 In the excitement they did not hear the long 
 train that came clanking up from the south and 
 stopped just behind the C. & S. C. train. But 
 a moment later the uproar ceased, as sounded 
 
 it 
 
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 :i 
 
 ■•fii 
 
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 If! 
 
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 Is r 
 
 258 
 
 T/te Short Line War 
 
 high and clear the echoing bugles, " Forward, 
 Fours left into line, March!" Looking, they 
 saw six companies of the National Guard come 
 swinging across the open, the horizontal rays 
 of the rising sun gilding their fixed bayonets. 
 
 There was no need for shot or bayonet thrust, 
 the mob was quiet. McNally, as he stood pant- 
 ing in the thickest of the crowd, knew what it 
 meant. The time for violence was over; his 
 army had outlived its usefulness. And he knew 
 that however the fight for the M. & T. was to 
 be won, this was the beginning of the end. 
 
 p m 
 
CHAPTER XIX 
 
 KATHERINE DECIDES 
 
 It was some hours before definite informa- 
 tion was to be had concerning the present con- 
 dition of affairs. No one knew whether his 
 side had won or lost, whether the M. & T. was 
 a Weeks road or a Porter road, though in the 
 excitement each claimed control and made im- 
 mediate efforts to enfoice orders relating to its 
 conduct. Messages flew back and forth along 
 the singing wires, and wrecking trains started 
 almost simultaneously from Manchester and 
 from Truesdale, with instructions to clear up 
 the muss at Sawyerville, in order that the regu- 
 lar train service be resumed. 
 
 But before matters were more than fairly 
 under way, there came a sudden suspension of 
 action. The Weeks wreckers paused at Brush- 
 ingham, and contented themselves with pulling 
 Harvey's first capture back on the rails. That 
 done, the conductor stuffed a bundle of some- 
 
 «59 
 
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 4k ,.: 
 
 260 
 
 T/ie Short Line War 
 
 what contradictory but imperative orders into 
 his pocket, and stretched himself on the Httle 
 red bench on the Brushingham station plat- 
 form ; the engineer, after a shouted order, set- 
 tled down to the nearest approach to rest 
 known to an engineer on duty ; the division car 
 repairer and the roadmaster curled up in the 
 caboose, for they had been routed out at an 
 unseemly hour; the station agent amused him- 
 self reading the messages that rattled through 
 to the South and back, telling of a muddle at 
 headquarters. When a wrecking train is held 
 for orders, it is safe to assume that something 
 has happened. 
 
 Down the line there was a similar occur- 
 rence. The Truesdale repair crew was caught 
 at Sawyerville and ordered back. But before 
 the astonished conductor had read the message 
 through, another came ordering him on, subject 
 no longer to the Superintendent's orders, but to 
 those of Colonel Wray, 3d N. G. 
 
 The Governor of the State, in the conduct of 
 routine matters, was usually content to follow 
 precedent, which means that the State House 
 clerical force was let more or less severely alone 
 to govern the community, while the executive 
 
Katherine Decides 
 
 261 
 
 orders into 
 3n the little 
 itation plat- 
 d order, set- 
 ich to rest 
 division car 
 d up in the 
 [ out at an 
 imused him- 
 tled through 
 a muddle at 
 train is held 
 it something 
 
 milar occur- 
 was caught 
 But before 
 the message 
 Ti on, subject 
 )rders, but to 
 
 e conduct of 
 mt to follow 
 State House 
 everely alone 
 .he executive 
 
 directed the politics of his party with a view to 
 coming elections. At times an emergency oc- 
 curred, miners struck, excited citizens lynched 
 a negro, henchmen of the other party strained 
 the voting laws, municipal corporations en- 
 deavored to steal State privileges — in any of 
 which cases he delayed definite action until 
 public sentiment bayed at his heels, then he 
 acted with shrewdness and despatch. At the 
 time of the fight, this same noisy public was 
 keen on the scent of the railroads. Certain 
 street railway corporations had called out abuse 
 by methods which were excusable only for 
 their success, and the mass saw no reason to 
 believe that one corporation was better than 
 another. Discriminating freight tariffs, which 
 had seemed to favor a neighboring State, had 
 thoroughly antagonized the country districts — 
 and the country districts* vote. From even the 
 solid communities had come rumors of restless- 
 ness and discontent. Ward bosses were wor- 
 ried, county magnates were dodging reform 
 committees instigated by the traditionally con- 
 scientious minority, and the Governor knew that 
 certain bills which awaited his signature were 
 not likely to increase his tollowing. 
 
 
 
 m 
 
 
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 262 
 
 The Short Line War 
 
 So it was that the great man was watching, 
 watching and waiting, for the opportunity to 
 strike a blow which should swing public senti- 
 ment around in his favor. Up to the present 
 the whole State had been quiet. The miners 
 were as orderly as the Sunday-school over 
 which he presided when in his native town. 
 The great labor organizations he was so eager 
 to conciliate perversely gave him no oppor- 
 tunity. 
 
 And so it was that when messages came 
 pouring in upon him from bosses and chairmen 
 and advisers urging immediate interference in 
 the M. & T. fight, when the sheriff of Maiden 
 County sent in an hysterical report, all insti- 
 gated by the pungent advices from mad and 
 muddy Senator Sporty Jones — the Governor 
 inclined his ear. He was a shrewd man, and 
 he knew that in order to make a distinct im- 
 pression on The Public his blow must be sudden 
 and spectacular. The longer he thought on 
 it, the more the opportunity pleased him, and 
 before the evening was far advanced Colonel 
 Wray was speeding to Truesdale. 
 
 The Third was not a city regiment. It was 
 made up of men from the middle sections of the 
 
as watching, 
 portunity to 
 public senti- 
 the present 
 The miners 
 school over 
 native town, 
 was so eager 
 n no oppor- 
 
 ssages came 
 nd chairmen 
 terference in 
 if of Maiden 
 jrt, all insti- 
 3m mad and 
 ;he Governor 
 *vd man, and 
 , distinct im- 
 Listbe sudden 
 e thought on 
 sed him, and 
 need Colonel 
 
 lent. It was 
 ections of the 
 
 Katherine Decides 
 
 263 
 
 State, a company to every few counties with 
 battalion headquarters in three of the smaller 
 nties, Truesdale for one. In the city regiments 
 was a blue-stocking element which did not fit 
 the Governor's present needs. 
 
 As soon as Colonel Wray reached Truesdale 
 he established himself in the inhospitable ware- 
 house which in reports was called an armory 
 Before midnight the local company was col- 
 lected, uniformed, and in order. Later special 
 trams arrived, and squads and companies 
 marched through the echoing streets, to sit doz- 
 ing about the armory. At three-thirty a train 
 came m from the southern counties bringing 
 the second battalion, three hundred husky farm 
 lads who glowed with responsibility as they 
 stacked arms and awaited orders. 
 
 Then came a telephone message that Mc- 
 Nally's relief train had left for the North. 
 Colonel Wray waited no longer but marched 
 over to the station, seized the telegraph office 
 and the telephone, placed guards at each en- 
 trance and about the train shed, ordered the 
 yard master to make up another train, levied on 
 the^station restaurant for six hundred cups of 
 -unee, and tore fly-leaves from the news-stand 
 
 
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264 
 
 The Short Line W'^r 
 
 
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 books to write special orders for the waiting 
 adjutant. 
 
 Meanwhile Porter vvas feverish. He tried to 
 bulldoze the sergeant in the telegraph office 
 only to be hustled ofi by a corporal's guard. 
 He finally reached the Colonel's ear, but was 
 heard in courteous silence. He made an effort 
 to call up the Oakwuod Club to send .. message 
 to McNally, but the sunburned young fellow in 
 the 'phone box leaned on his rifle and shook his 
 head. The same thing uappened when he tried 
 to get out of the building — " Sorry, sir. Cap- 
 tain's orders " — and the baffled magnate paced 
 up and down the waiting room between long files 
 of light-hearted boys in blue. It was humiUating 
 to consider that he had subscribed heavily toward 
 fitting up the Truesdale armory, that half the 
 officers knew him and feared his influence. 
 
 While he was racking his brain sudden orders 
 were shouted through the building. The loung- 
 ing groups came up with a jerk, there was a rat- 
 tle of arms, and in ten seconds the farm boys 
 had resolved into a machine, a set of rigid blue 
 lines that reached the length of the waiting room. 
 There was another order, and one after another 
 the companies broke into columns of twos and 
 
the waiting 
 
 He tried to 
 graph office 
 oral's guard, 
 ear, but was 
 ade an effort 
 id u message 
 ang fellow in 
 ,nd shook his 
 vhen he tried 
 ry, sir. Cap- 
 ignate pac^ 1 
 een long files 
 LS humiliating 
 leavily toward 
 that half the 
 ifluence. 
 sudden orders 
 . The loung- 
 lere was a rat- 
 he farm boys 
 
 of rigid blue 
 waiting room. 
 
 after another 
 s of twos and 
 
 I «;wung through the 
 
 Katherine Decides 
 
 265 
 
 I 
 
 doors, which /ere held 
 open by a couple of s ired but admiring w iters. 
 
 Porter followed the last company and stood in 
 the doorway behind two crossed rifles watching the 
 troops climb into the cars. The Colonel stood at 
 the track gate as the men marched through, talk- 
 ing with his aids. Porter thought for a moment of 
 calling to him, ' nt realized the futility of it after 
 the treatment had just received. Besides, 
 even a railroad csident could hardly keep his 
 dignity with those ridiculous guns under his nose. 
 So he turned and walked slowly to his temporary 
 headquarters in the station agent's oflfice, but to 
 find that the young captain left in command by 
 Colonel Wray had made himself at home and 
 was issuing orders to a snub-nosed lieutenant. 
 
 Porter took a chair and looked out of the win- 
 dow. For a moment he was too weary to be 
 aggressive. Worry and loss of sleep had lined 
 his face, and the absence of news from McNally 
 kept his nerves strung. As he sat there grip- 
 ping the arms of the chair, face a little flushed, 
 hair disarranged, collar dusty, he looked ten 
 years i-ast his age. It was a critical moment in 
 the fight, and he knew it, but cornered as he 
 was, absolutely uninformed as to his position in 
 
 m 
 

MICROCOPY RESOLUTION TEST CHART 
 
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 ^ APPLIED IM^GE 
 
 Inc 
 
 1653 East Main Street 
 
 Rochester, New York 14609 USA 
 
 (716) 482 - 0300 - Phone 
 
 (716) 288 - 5989 - Fax 
 
266 
 
 The Short Line War 
 
 
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 the struggle, or the meaning of the military dis- 
 play, a sense of helplessness almost unnerved 
 him. Heretofore his fights had been largely 
 conducted through deferential employees. He 
 was accustomed to bows and scrapes, to men 
 who feared him, who watched his every move in 
 awe, and to find himself utterly at the mercy of 
 these tin soldiers was disgusting. It was twenty- 
 four hours since he had had a wink of sleep and 
 eighteen since he had eaten a full meal — facts 
 which in no small measure lessened the stability 
 of his mental poise. And there he sat waiting 
 through the darkness and the dawn. 
 
 The reds and golds in the eastern sky spread 
 and paled. The little green-clad city stretched 
 down the gentle hill, now indistinct in the haze. 
 An early electric car whirred and jangled past 
 the station, and Porter was half conscious of the 
 noise. He got up, straightened his stiff joints, 
 and went to the lunch counter, where he had to 
 jostle between two gawky privates before he 
 could order a cup of smoky cereal coffee and a 
 sandwich. After getting a place he could not 
 eat, so he returned to the office. Now that some 
 sort of routine was estabUshed, the Captain 
 showed a wiUingness to meet him civilly. 
 
 -'is, i 
 
 t\ 
 
Katherine Decides 
 
 267 
 
 " See here," said Porter, after a few common- 
 places had been exchanged, "how long is this 
 going to keep up ? There is no sense in hold- 
 ing me here." 
 
 "Sorry, sir. I have no desire to inconven- 
 ience you, but my orders are to let no one out 
 and no one in. And you know what orders are 
 for." 
 
 "Oh, that's all right," — Porter leaned back 
 in his chair and looked out the window, — " but 
 there's such a thing as going to extremes. Some- 
 times common sense supersedes orders." 
 
 "You forget, Mr. Porter, that you are here 
 for the purpose of conducting a raid, and we arc 
 here to stop that raid. Under the circumstances 
 it is my duty to hold you and every one connected 
 with the affair until I am otherwise ordered." 
 
 "But I am not a thief, man." 
 
 "No, perhaps not." The Captain turned to 
 some papers on the desk, and Porter continued 
 to look out, wearily, with a sudden dull ache 
 above his eyes. 
 
 A corporal appeared in the doorway, saluting. 
 
 " There's a young lady, sir, says she's got to 
 see Mr. Porter." 
 
 "Who is she.?" 
 
 \'-M^ 
 
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 1' ' 
 
 »«.«S!!^sB«Bs:'ssaBaa»»««««i5>>a 
 
 268 
 
 77/^ 5/;^/'^ Line War 
 
 «' Don't know, but she sticks to it." 
 "It's my daughter," said Porter, with an 
 effort to rise. " Where is she ? " 
 
 « Wait," the Captain said ; " I'll speak to her," 
 and he followed the soldier. 
 
 Porter sat still. After a little he heard voices 
 in the waiting room, and Katherine entered the 
 office. At the sight of his worn, haggard face 
 her annoyed expression vanished, and she drew 
 the Captain's chair beside her father's and laid 
 her hand upon his forehead. 
 
 " You are sick," she said gently. 
 " Nonsense " — he made a feeble effort to 
 shake off her hand — " I asked you not to come 
 back. I'm tired, that's all." 
 
 Katherine rose and looked about. 
 " Come into the waiting room, dad, and lie 
 down. You must have '^ome sleep or you won't 
 be good for anything." 
 
 * "You must go back," said Porter, shakincr 
 his head. " This is no place for you." 
 
 Katherine looked quietly into his eyes. It 
 was not the first time that the strain of his busy 
 life had told upon her father's nerves, and she 
 knew what was the m.atter, 
 
 " Come, dad," she said. " Get a little sleep, 
 
 W. I 
 
Katherine Decides 
 
 269 
 
 ! 
 
 a little sleep, 
 
 and I'll stay by and wake you if there is any 
 
 news." 
 
 Porter scowled, then slowly rose. The Cap- 
 tain, who had been hesitating in the doorway, 
 came forward to assist. Porter turned on him 
 savagely. "Let me alone. I can walk, I 
 euess." But at a glance from Katherine the 
 Captain took an arm, and Porter submitted, 
 seemlxigly unconscious of his inconsistency. 
 
 Along the walls of the waiting room were 
 benches, and on one of ti.ese they tried to make 
 Porter comfortable. When she saw that his 
 head must rest on the wooden seat, Katherine 
 hesitated and looked at the Captain, who was 
 following her with his yes. 
 
 *' I wish there was something for a pillow," 
 she said. " Perhaps " ~ she stood erect and 
 looked slowly about the waiting room, then 
 stepped to the door of the office, returning with 
 a pretty frown. "I wonder" — she met the 
 Captain's gaze smiling frankly — " if you would 
 let me take your coat." 
 
 He was not an old officer, and he was not a 
 hermit, so with but slight hesitation he un- 
 buckled his belt, removed the coat, rolled it up, 
 and as Katherine raised her father's head he 
 slipped it underneath. 
 
 J' 
 
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 Hi 
 
 my^\ 
 
The Short Line War 
 
 WM ' 
 
 
 1 5 
 
 Ir 
 
 H 
 
 " Will you send one of your men to a drug 
 store for some camphor ? " said Kathcrine, 
 fumbling in the purse that hung from her belt. 
 
 The Captain beckoned to one of the soldiers 
 who were clustered about the door, and placed 
 him at Katherine's disposal. When he returned 
 she soaked her handkerchief with the camphor 
 and laid it on her father's forehead. He was 
 already asleep. 
 
 " He'll be better as soon as he has had a little 
 rest," Katherine said. " You are very good to 
 help us." The Captain bowed with the expres- 
 sion of a man who has just been promoted, but 
 said nothing. 
 
 For an hour Porter slept, and during that 
 time Katherine stayed by him, moistening the 
 folded handkerchief and chafing his wrists. 
 The Captain, his importance and self-command 
 oozing away a bit at a time as he watched the 
 cool, quiet girl, hovered near as often as his 
 dignity would permit with offers of assistance, 
 most of which Katherine accepted. He put her 
 horses and trap in charge of a mihtiaman, he 
 brought out a rocking-chair for her, and when, 
 a little after eight o'clock, Porter shov/ed signs 
 of waking, he sent out for some breakfast. 
 
Katherine Decides 
 
 271 
 
 en to a drug 
 i Katherine, 
 om her belt, 
 f the soldiers 
 r, and placed 
 n he returned 
 the camphor 
 ;ad. He was 
 
 as had a little 
 very good to 
 h the expres- 
 Dromoted, but 
 
 during that 
 oistening the 
 I his wrists, 
 self-command 
 : watched the 
 often as his 
 of as.sistance, 
 He put her 
 iiilitiaman, he 
 er, and when, 
 showed signs 
 eakfast. 
 
 On Porter, the touch of sleep, the welcome 
 cup of coffee, and more than anything else his 
 daughter's soothing presence, seemed to have a 
 marked effect. He sat up, leaning back heavily, 
 and with a struggle collected hi" thoughts. 
 Katherine joked with him, and fussed over him 
 with a maternal solicitude that made the Captain 
 smile. 
 
 At eight-thirty, as Porter was sipping another 
 cup of coffee, the corporal appeared. 
 
 "A ma^ says he's got to see Mr. Porter, sir. 
 A Mr. McNally." 
 
 " McNally," cried Porter, starting up only to 
 sink back, breathing heavily. " Bring him here. 
 I've got to see him." 
 The Captain hesitated. 
 " Did he state his business .'' " 
 " No, sir. But he has a pass through the 
 lines at Sawyerville, signed by Colonel Wray." 
 " Um — let him come in." 
 It was not the Mr, McNally who had played 
 for Katherine two nights before. That had 
 been a well-groomed, self-possessed man of the 
 world; this was a muddy, unshaven, angry 
 man, who spoke in a loud voice and smothered 
 an uath just too late to keep it from her car. 
 
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 272 
 
 T/ic Short Line War 
 
 He recoveied somewhat, but even McNally 
 could not lose sleep and temper for so many 
 hours without a more or less immediate result. 
 As she looked at him with a cool bow, 
 Katherine thought of Harvey, and something 
 caught in her throat. 
 
 "Well," said Porter, "what about it.? What's 
 happened .? Who's running this road .? " 
 
 McNally looked curiously at the Captain 
 before he replied. That officer, at an appeal- 
 ing glance from Katherine, left the group. 
 
 " The Governor is running it. He's played a 
 game that knocks us silly. He's come down on 
 us and cinched things for the senatorship at one 
 crack." 
 
 "What do you mean.?" In his excitement 
 Porter sat erect. 
 
 "The Old Man has declared the M. & T. 
 under military rule until the courts choose to 
 settle it to suit themselves. That throws us 
 out, throws Weeks out, and the devil take the 
 hindmost." 
 
 " Has there been trouble } " 
 
 "They smashed into us at Sawyerville" — he 
 suddenly remembered Katherine — "Excuse me. 
 Miss Porter, I must see your father alone." 
 
 I 
 
Katherirtc Decides 
 
 273 
 
 I % 
 
 IS excitement 
 
 " He cannot be excited, Mr. McNally." 
 
 "There is no time to waste — " 
 
 Katherine turned abruptly and went into the 
 office. 
 
 "Yes," said McNally, "they ripped into us 
 at Sawyerville and we had the hell of a time till 
 Wray's guards came up and stopped it. Wray 
 let me through, — it was just after daylight,— 
 and I picked up a horse from a farmer and rode 
 down. But we got West though, damn him ! — 
 caught him sneaking through the bushes." 
 
 " Be careful, McNally, we've got to be care- 
 ful. It's no time to get mixed up in a thing like 
 that — we — we can't afford — " 
 
 "That's all right, Porter. We don't know 
 where he is — I don't know, you don't know — 
 and before we find out he'll be loose again." 
 
 " But — Jim — Week? don't forget that kind 
 of thing, McNally — Jim Weeks — " 
 
 " Oh, damn Jim Weeks ! I'll tak^ care of 
 him." 
 
 Porter paused to drink at a gulp what was 
 left of his coffee. 
 
 "Remember, McNally, I can't back you if 
 you get careless — I can't back you, you 
 know.'' 
 
 
 fi) ,J1 
 
 1 
 

 ii 1 
 
 2/4 
 
 The Short Lifie War 
 
 " God, man ! you've got to back me ! You've 
 got to back me through everything, or you'll 
 go down with me. I tell you, Porter, we're too 
 far in to back out, and it's nerve that's going to 
 win. If you don't back me, if you don't draw 
 on every cent you've got to shove it through, 
 you'll be the one to be hit — not me." He 
 paced the floor. " Yes, sir. It's you if it's 
 anybody." Suddenly he stopped. He looked 
 hard at Porter, then he turned quickly and 
 strode into the office. Katherine was standing 
 at the window. 
 
 " Miss Katherine — " 
 
 " Mr. McNally, my name is Miss Porter." 
 
 " Miss — Miss Porter, I met a friend of yours 
 this morning. I met him under peculiar circum- 
 stances. We had some words, I regret to say, 
 and he left this with me." The plump, dirty 
 hand drew a blue envelope from McNally's coat 
 pocket. " It has seemed to me that where your 
 father's honor was as seriously involved as in 
 this matter, you should have followed some 
 other course than that of traitor." 
 
 In his excitement, McNally misunderstood 
 Katherine's silence. 
 
 " You have deliberatelv drawn out vour 
 
 j|t| ;ii9 
 
ar 
 
 k me ! You've 
 ling, or you'll 
 )rtcr, we're too 
 that's going to 
 ^ou don't draw 
 )ve it through, 
 not me." He 
 ;'s you if it's 
 1 He looked 
 I quickly and 
 J was standing 
 
 ss Porter." 
 :riend of yours 
 eculiar circum- 
 regret to say, 
 J plump, dirty 
 VTcNally's coat 
 lat where your 
 involved as in 
 "ollowed some 
 
 misunderstood 
 
 wn out vour 
 
 Kat /urine Decides 275 
 
 father and me that you might aid our opponents. 
 I have watched you — I have seen it — it is not 
 your fault that we are not ruined — and for the 
 sake of a man that I caught spying on us this 
 morning, sneaking through the bushes in the 
 dark — " 
 
 There was a groan from the doorway. Porter 
 stood there with one hand over his eyes. Kath- 
 erine looked for an instant, then she brushed 
 past McNally, and with one arm about her 
 father she called to the Captain, who stood at 
 the other side of the waiting room. He came 
 at once. 
 
 " Captain," she said, " I must ask you to take 
 care of my father. Please telephone for a 
 doctor and a closed carriage, and see that he is 
 sent home at once. I shall drive there in the 
 trap to prepare for him. Don't let this man " 
 
 — she turned contemptuously toward McNally 
 
 — "speak to him or excite him in any way. 
 Will you do this > " As she spoke her face 
 softened, and she held out her hand. The Cap- 
 tain took it. 
 
 "Yes, Miss Porter, I will take care of him." 
 
 Katherine, without looking again at McNally, 
 
 walked to the door and called for her trap. As 
 
 ,'fti 
 
fT 
 
 276 
 
 The Short Line War 
 
 H 
 
 1':' 
 
 she waited on the steps, a newsboy came run- 
 ning down the walk, crying : — 
 
 " Nine o'clock Extry ! All 'bout M. & T. 
 
 riot ! " 
 
 Katherine stopped him and boughc a paper. 
 The black headings told the story tersely, but 
 one item stood out with vivid distinctness. She 
 read, " Harvey West Disappears — Supposed 
 that He Was Kidnapped — His Followers Swear 
 Vengeance — Rumored that He Is Hidden 
 Near The Oakwood Club." For a moment the 
 blood left her face, and her nerves tightened, 
 but when the trap was pulled up she was herself, 
 and the smile she gave the soldier in charge 
 brought forth an earnest but amateurish salute. 
 
 Then Katherine drove home — it was her 
 duty to go home. But, her duty done, she 
 would drive straight to the Oakwood Club. 
 
 II 
 
 
'ar 
 
 ;boy came run- 
 bout M. & T. 
 
 Qughc a paper. 
 )ry tersely, but 
 tinctness. She 
 :rs — Supposed 
 'ollowers Swear 
 Iq Is Hidden 
 ■ a moment the 
 rves tightened, 
 ;he was herself, 
 Idier in charge 
 lateurish salute. 
 I — it was her 
 iuty done, she 
 kvood Club. 
 
 
 CHAPTER XX 
 
 HARVEY 
 
 Before the dawn broke on Thursday morning 
 Harvey was a prisoner. It was so absurd, so 
 ridiculously theatrical, that had he not been too 
 tired to think clearly, his sense of humor would 
 have been equal to the occasion ; as it was, he 
 was angry, baffled, desperate. While held in 
 the thicket by Wilkins's gang he had caught a 
 voice too like McNally's to be easily mistaken, 
 and when McNally struck the match that 
 showed him the papers, Harvey had with an 
 effort flopped over on the leaves, bound as he 
 was, and through the bushes had caught a 
 glimpse of McNally's face and figure. 
 
 While the shooting and the uproar sounded 
 from the cut Harvey was held in the woods, but 
 before the second encounter his captors jerked 
 him to his feet, tied his handkerchief across his 
 eyes, and led him stumbHng away. In a few 
 moments Harvey lost all sense of direction. 
 He figured that he was still on the east side of 
 
 277 
 
 
ff 
 
 HMMBI 
 
 : 1/ 
 
 
 "I 
 
 ri 
 
 V -'■ 
 
 ¥ 
 
 El. • I 
 
 
 278 
 
 T/ze Short Line War 
 
 the track, and in all probability was going south- 
 east on the river road. For a short while lie 
 tried to keep the direction, but realizing that he 
 might be turned without knowing it, he gave up 
 and decided to rely upon a chance opportunity 
 to escape. Undoubtedly his guards were acting 
 simply as agents, and it occurred to him that he 
 might be able to influence them ; but as his oc- 
 casional attempts at conversation brought only 
 profanity in reply, he fell back upon silence. 
 
 Through his thin bandage he could feel that 
 the light was growing brighter. Then he was 
 led from the road, splashing through a ditch and 
 sprawling over another fence. He bumped into 
 a tree. The men jerked him roughly away and 
 led him forward, twisting and stepping from 
 side to side. Occasionally his foot struck a ^allen 
 log. Evidently they were in a heavy wood. 
 
 At best their progress was very slow and was 
 marked with numerous baitings and delays. 
 Finally, about two hours after the start, Harvey 
 was thrust through a doorway and a lock clicked 
 behind him. He tore off the handkerchief and 
 found himself in a small office, evidently de- 
 serted, for the rusted stove, the broken chair, and 
 the floor were thickly coated with dust. There 
 
I 
 
 Harvey 
 of gh 
 
 2/9 
 
 was one window, empty of glass and boarded 
 from the outside. He looked through a crack 
 and saw tho caved-in shaft house and the strag- 
 gling waste heap of a worked-out mine. " Won- 
 der how long they're going to try this game," 
 he thought. He picked up the remains of a 
 chair and tipping it over sat on the rounds. 
 
 Harvey was nearly done for. Aside from 
 the strain of the week, and particularly of the 
 night just ended, he was wet to the knees, and 
 his head ached from a chance blow received 
 during his brief str gle near the Sawyerville 
 station. His eyelids drooped, and for fear of 
 dropping off to sleep he rose and walked the 
 floor. Gradually his head cleared. It occurred 
 to him that McNally would have run the risk 
 involved in kidnapping him only because it was 
 very important he should be gotten out of the 
 way. Therefore, he reasoned, it v/as equally im- 
 portant from his point of view that he remain 
 decidedly in the way. He looked through the 
 crack and saw three men standing a few yards 
 from the window talking excitedly. Their voices 
 were gradually rising. 
 
 " What you goin' to do with him ? " asked one. 
 "We can't keep him here." 
 
 r 
 
 f|: 
 
 1 
 
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 280 
 
 Tke Short Lme War 
 
 " Well, it's only for a few days." 
 " But who's goin' to feed him ? " 
 •' Yes," said the third, " an' how about us ? " 
 "Oh, you'll be all right," from the big man, 
 who seemed to be the leader ; " that's all fixed." 
 " Who's goin' to do it — McNally } " 
 '* Ssh ! " the leader looked around, and all 
 three lowered their voices. 
 
 Finally they seemed to reach an agreement ; 
 for the first speaker turned and walked rapidly 
 toward the woods, and the others took to patrol- 
 Hng the small building. 
 
 Again Harvey walked the floor. If he was 
 to be of any service to Jim Weeks during what 
 was left of the fight, it was absolutely neces- 
 sary that he escape as soon as possible. In the 
 course of his work as Jim's private secretary he 
 had become fairly well acquainted with the de- 
 tails of his employer's many interests. Nearly 
 all the mines along the M. & T. were owned or 
 controlled by the capital which Jim represented, 
 and Harvey knew the location of each of these. 
 There was but one abandoned mine in the 
 Sawyerville district, the Valley Shaft; it was 
 about four miles from Sawyerville station and 
 
 per] 
 
 three or four from the Oakwood Club. 
 
 , !f 
 
Harvey 
 
 281 
 
 '^?iVvi7r>r»rl Cliib. 
 
 Theref L -., he reasoned, if he once broke loose 
 from this galling restraint, he would soon be in a 
 position to communicate with Jim. 
 
 Outside, the big man stood directly before the 
 window ; his fellow could be heard walking to 
 and fro in the rear of the building. Harvey 
 looked about the room. There was nothing to 
 serve as a weapon, except some part of the 
 stove. He bent down and removed one of the 
 small iron legs, taking care to make no noise. 
 Then he examined the window. The boards 
 were half-inch stuff, nailed on with little idea of 
 security, probably because the office contained 
 nothing worth stealing. He figured that it 
 would be no difficult matter for a man of his 
 weight and strength to force an exit. For the 
 moment he forgot his weariness. 
 
 Accordingly he drew back across the room, 
 and bracing for a second against the wall, he 
 ran forward and threw himself at the boards. 
 They gave way more easily than he had sup- 
 posed, and a rapid effort landed him squarely 
 on the leader, who had turned at the noise. 
 The struggle was short. Each had received a 
 few hard blows when the man jerked his right 
 arm loose and reached back for his revolver. 
 
 
282 
 
 The Short Line War 
 
 If 
 
 1 ' 
 
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 * 
 
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 11 
 
 
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 5. 
 
 Harvey took advantage of his open guard to 
 strike a quick blow with the stove leg and 
 brought the fellow to the ground. Harvey 
 rolled him over, took the revolver from his 
 pocket, and picked up his own hat. A noise 
 from behind the building called to mind the 
 other man, and he hurried forward. The other 
 was walking stealthily toward the shaft house. 
 
 " Say," called Harvey. 
 
 The man turned sullenly. 
 
 "Your friend there — he doesn't feel well," 
 Harvey laughed nervously and gestured with 
 the revolver ; " you'd better look after him. 
 I've got to go now." He paused to glance back 
 at the big man, who was lying on one elbow and 
 rubbing his head, then he turned and ran 
 toward the woods. 
 
 Once on the way, however, Harvey's sudden 
 nervous strength deserted him. One of his 
 opponent'"^, blows had cut his scalp, and he was 
 surprised to feel blood trickling down his face. 
 He ran until his breath gave out, then he walked, 
 struggling to overcome the dizziness that was 
 coming on him. After going some distance he 
 found a bridle path, and soon saw the river road 
 before him. The need of hurry urging him on, he 
 
 ' 
 
 
Harvey 
 
 283 
 
 left the path to cut across a .neadow. With some 
 difficulty he drew himself upon the fence, and 
 paused for breath with one leg thrown over the 
 top rail. Then he felt a wave of dizziness, and, 
 his muscles relaxing, he pitched forward into 
 the long grass. 
 
 Good nursing, proper food, and a brief rest 
 were enough to pull together Porter's yielding 
 nerves. There was some delay at first in getting 
 a physician, and Katherine was obliged to wait 
 for the greater part of an hour before the slowly 
 driven carriage brought her father home. Con- 
 siderable time passed before his improvement 
 justified her in leaving the house, and then it 
 was so near noon that she decided to wait until 
 after lunch. 
 
 Once on the road behind Ned and Nick, and 
 beside the erect groom, Katherine realized the 
 delicacy of the situation. Up to this moment 
 she had been acting frankly upon impulse. It 
 was so clear to her mind that McNally had 
 been instrumental in the kidnapping of Harvey, 
 and the sudden emotion aroused by the whole 
 affair had so overwhelmed her, that for the 
 time her only thought had been to get to Har- 
 
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 111 
 
 
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 284 
 
 The Short Line War 
 
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 vey, to be near him and of some service to him. 
 But .^.atherine's impulse on this occasion was 
 not far m advance of her reason, and what had 
 besfun in a whirl of excitement was continued in 
 a spirit of quiet persistence. To be sure, there 
 was a moment of wavering, but even then she 
 did not think seriously of turning back. Any- 
 way, there was nothing marked or unusual in 
 frequent drives to the club during this crisp 
 golfing weather. 
 
 It was after two o'clock when she reached the 
 club. The links were dotted here and there 
 with golfers, and the usual autumn quiet hung 
 about the verandas and halls of the building, 
 but in the office there was bustle and excitement. 
 Katherine stood near the wide fireplace in the 
 lower hall drawing off her gloves and looking 
 through the office door. A man was telephoning, 
 a big man with a quiet voice. In a moment he 
 ra-^g off and turned around. His face interested 
 Katherine and she watched him as he talked to 
 the steward ; she could not help hearing the 
 conversation. 
 
 " I've got to have another horse," the big man 
 was saying. " I'll pay you whatever your time 
 is worth. I want this whole county stirred up 
 in half an hour." 
 
Han>ey 
 
 285 
 
 "But, sir, I cannot leave the club. We are 
 short of help as it is, and the caddies are busy." 
 
 " I've no time to talk. A man has been kid- 
 napped and very likely injured. You get a rig 
 — any kind, a farm wagon, if the horses are 
 good — and have it here in fifteen minutes. 
 Figure your time at whatever you like and send 
 the bill cO me." 
 
 He handed a card to the steward, who looked 
 at it with a slight start, and murmuring, " Cer- 
 tainly, Mr. Weeks," started down the hall. 
 Katherine stopped him. 
 
 "What is it, Perry.?" 
 
 " Jim — Mr. Weeks. He wants a horse." 
 
 " You may lend him my trap — And, Perry, 
 say nothing of it." Without waiting for a re- 
 ply, she went into the reading room, picked up 
 a magazine, and, throwing open her jacket, sat 
 on the broad window-seat. A moment la*:er 
 Ned and Nick were pulled up on the drive, Jim 
 Weeks climbed in beside the groom, and they 
 hurried down toward the bridge. 
 
 The magazine lay open in Katherine's lap. 
 She rested an elbow on the window-sill and sat 
 for a long time looking out across the valley. 
 Not two weeks before this day she had stood 
 
 
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 i 
 
 :; I 
 
 ^fea-" 
 

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 !* 
 
 HI 
 
 li 
 
 fi 
 
 m 
 
 in,. 
 
 286 
 
 77/^ 5"//^;'/ Lvie War 
 
 on the veranda with Harvey, looking at the 
 same picture through the haze of twilight. 
 Then it had seemed like summer; now it was 
 unmistakably autumn. Then the leaves were 
 only beginning to yield to the touch of the wan- 
 ing year ; now they were aflame and dropping 
 — as she looked a whirl of them danced across 
 the sloping lawn, the stragglers settling in the 
 grass already marked by little dabs of red and 
 russet brown. Farther off, in the valley, were 
 corn-fields, now squares of yellow and bronze 
 and gold. It was a glowing picture, but to 
 Katherine it meant only that summer was dead, 
 and she viewed it with vague regret. 
 
 The afternoon wore on, but Katherine took 
 no account of it. At a little after four, when 
 Jim Weeks drove up and entered the building, 
 she was startled into looking at her watch. 
 She heard the telephone bell ring, and realized 
 that he was talking. Then he paced up and 
 down the hall. She wanted to go out there and 
 ask him about Harvey, whether he was found, 
 or whether — she shuddered a little at the 
 thought of injury — but a feeling of helpless- 
 ness possessed her. She realized that the time 
 was slipping rapidly away. Jim Weeks migut 
 
 IL 
 
Hartley 
 
 287 
 
 go, and she would have learned nothing, would 
 have done nothing. But she had not come al- 
 together in vain. She recalled with half-defiant 
 pride that Jim had used her horses. 
 
 " You are Miss Porter ? " 
 
 Katherine started, and turned with a slow 
 blush. Weeks stood gravely looking at her. 
 
 " I understand that I have to thank you," he 
 continued. " They were your horses, I believe. 
 I hope I have not inconvenienced you by keep- 
 ing you here. But it was an emergency." 
 
 "Has Mr. West been found?" Katherine 
 struggled to keep the anxiety out of her voice. 
 
 " No." Weeks sat down. " It seems impos- 
 sible to get any word. I've roused things 
 pretty effectively though, I think. There's a 
 reward up. The sheriffs of both counties are 
 at work, and the farmers are all stirred up. 
 There's nothing to do but wait. If he's found, 
 and by any chance is hurt, they're to bring 
 him here." 
 
 " Wouldn't it be a good plan to have a doctor 
 
 here, in case — " 
 
 " I don't think it is necessary. Of course 
 the probability is that he is locked up some- 
 where and is being held for a day or so. If he 
 
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 288 
 
 T/ie Short Line War 
 
 is knocked out, it was not done intentionally. 
 They wouldn't dare." 
 
 At the word "they" Katherine winced a 
 little, but Weeks apparently was entirely imper- 
 sonal. There was a silence, Weeks sitting with 
 slightly drawn brows but with an otherwise im- 
 passive face, Katherine looking out the window. 
 A little later a wagon came slowly up the road- 
 way. Two men were on the seat and a third 
 reclined in the box. They were driving care- 
 fully, and Jim did not hear the sound of the 
 wheels until a subdued exclamation from Kath- 
 erine drew his attention. She was sitting erect, 
 her hands gripping a cushion. Jim followed 
 her gaze, then without a word he rose and hur- 
 ried from the room. 
 
 A moment later Katherine saw the wagon 
 pull up at the steps. Weeks running down to 
 meet it. The man beside the driver dropped 
 back into the wagon box and raised the reclin- 
 ing figure ; then he and Jim helped him to the 
 ground. 
 
 In spite of the soiled clothes, the matted hair, 
 and the bandage across the forehead, Katherine 
 recognized Harvey. When she saw that he 
 could walk, even though leaning heavily on the 
 
 A 
 
 .*«■•? 
 
Harvey 
 
 289 
 
 intentionally. 
 
 le winced a 
 itirely imper- 
 s sitting with 
 otherwise im- 
 : the window, 
 up the rcad- 
 and a third 
 driving care- 
 iound of the 
 L from Kath- 
 sitting erect, 
 Jim followed 
 ose and hur- 
 
 V the wagon 
 ing down to 
 iver dropped 
 d the reclin- 
 :d him to the 
 
 : matted hair, 
 id, Katherine 
 saw that he 
 eavily on the 
 
 A 
 
 others, her heart bounded. The three came 
 slowly up the steps. Then she could hear 
 Jim's voice in the hall, evidently issuing an 
 order, and the steward slid one of the hall 
 settees into the room and piled rugs upon it. 
 
 Katherine rose in some doubt as they entered. 
 She had taken up two of the cushions, one in 
 each hand, and stood holding them. By now 
 it was nearing five o'clock. The sun was about 
 setting, and while outdoors it was still light, the 
 long low room was already dim with approach- 
 ing evening, so that not until he was close at 
 hand could she see Harvey distinctly. Rut 
 when she did distinguish the pale face and the 
 weary eyes, her hesitation vanished and she 
 hastened to lay the cushions on the settee. 
 Harvey evidently had not observed her, for he 
 suddenly drew back. 
 
 " Really, Miss Porter, I'm not such an invalid 
 as these people are trying to make out. I don't 
 need to lie down." He laughed slightly as Jim 
 drew him forward. " It's just a little stiffness. 
 See here — " he broke away from his helpers 
 and walked somewhat uncertainly to the settee, 
 sitting on the edge. " What's the matter with 
 
 
 \ 
 
 
 ■ 
 
 
 
 ' t 
 
 
 .J 
 
 
 4.1. _ i 1 » > 
 LiiUL : 
 
 :/il 
 
I * 
 
 
 290 
 
 The Short Line War 
 
 " Lie down, West," said Jim, quietly. Kath- 
 crine r^anced at \\\w\ quickly. It was a per- 
 emptory order, but delivered in a quiet friendly 
 tone whose calm assertiveness admitted of no 
 deMte. With an impatient gesture Harvey 
 obeyed. Indeed, as Katherine looked almost 
 shyly at this big, self-contained man she won- 
 dered if it would be possible to disobey hirv. 
 And with the sudden realization of his secure 
 authority came a wave of pity U.r her own 
 father, the man who had thrown himself against 
 this human rock and who was suffering for it. 
 She turned away an instant for fear that her 
 face would reveal her eraotion. 
 
 "Well," said Jim, looking at his watch, "by 
 starting now I can catch the early train to Chi- 
 cago. Be careful, West; there's no hurry 
 I'll wire you in the morning if there is anything 
 important. Miss Porter, may I ask you to see 
 that the steward takes care of Mr. West 1 I'll 
 send a doctor out. I'm sorry to trouble you — 
 there's no one else." 
 
 Katherine inclined her head. And then she 
 realized that Harvey and she were alone. 
 
 "Won't you d^^^; -op chair.? said Harvey 
 " I want to talk to you. I'm. glad you're here. 
 
 ii 
 
Liictly. Kath- 
 t was a pcr- 
 quiet friendly 
 :linitted of no 
 sturc Harvey 
 ookcd almost 
 nan she won- 
 
 disobcy bin. 
 
 of his secure 
 
 for her own 
 vimsclf against 
 iffering for it. 
 
 fear that her 
 
 lis watch, "by 
 ly train to Chi- 
 e's no hurry. 
 2re is anything 
 Lsk you to see 
 [r. West.? I'll 
 trouble you — 
 
 And then she 
 e alone. 
 
 said Harvey, 
 id you're here. 
 
 Harvey 
 
 291 
 
 It's an awful bore to be aiouc when you're tnis 
 way." 
 
 His attf^mpt at an easy manner gave Kathcr- 
 ine a sense of relief. She sat beside him. 
 
 " I'm sorry ytm are hurt. How did it hap- 
 pen } " 
 
 " I think I fell off a fence. Wonder if I lost 
 my handkerchief?" He thrust his hand into 
 his pocket, and drew out a revolver, clasping 
 it by the barrel. "That's funny. I don't re- 
 member— oh, yes." He stuffed it back into 
 his pocket. 
 
 " What is it .? Tell me about it. 
 
 Harvey looked thoughtfully at her. It oc- 
 curred to him that to let her know ( t McNally's 
 actions, which presumably were in ^tigated by 
 Porter himself, would be bringing matters too 
 close home. 
 
 "No," he replied, "it's rather a disagreeable 
 story. If you were a good nurse you vould try 
 to make me forget it. I'm glad you ar 3 here — 
 very glad. How did you happen to come } " 
 
 " I often drive out. It is growing c ark. I 
 must think about getting back." 
 
 "No," said Harvey, quickly, "don't go. I 
 don t want you to go. I want to ^•='^- 
 
 alk to you. 
 
 i 
 
 til: 
 
 f^rl 
 
 fiH 
 
292 
 
 The Short Line War 
 
 II 
 
 r i 
 
 ;i'' 
 
 His voice dropped as he spoke, and both sud- 
 denly became conscious of a change that had 
 come over them, between them, Katherine sat 
 still, turning her head toward the window, and 
 though she could not see him she knew that 
 Harvey was looking at her. The room was 
 darker now. 
 
 " Have you thought how odd this is," Harvey 
 went on, ** this conversation .<* We are talking 
 just as though nothing had happened, just as 
 though we were the same people who — who 
 bought things at Field's ; but we aren't. There's 
 no use in thinking we are." He paused to 
 raise himself on his elbow. " Do you know it 
 is just twelve days since we were here } " 
 
 Katherine laughed a httle. 
 
 " You have counted them. } " 
 
 " Yes. Last night when I was coming down 
 on the special I thought about it — you know 
 it seems longer, it seems a year ago. You 
 remember we talked about the M. & T. And 
 the next day when you drove me to the station 
 — do you remember.? I've wondered since 
 then, a good many times, what you meant, 
 whether you really wanted to see us win." 
 She started to speak, but he broke in : " If I 
 dared think so — " 
 
Harvey 
 
 293 
 
 md both sud- 
 nge that had 
 Katherine sat 
 window, and 
 tie knew that 
 le room was 
 
 is is," Harvey 
 e are talking 
 )ened, just as 
 e who — who 
 en't. There's 
 le paused to 
 you know it 
 lere ? " 
 
 coming down 
 : — you know 
 ir ago. You 
 . & T. And 
 :o the station 
 ndered since 
 you meant, 
 see us win." 
 ke ill : "If I 
 
 "You think I am weak." 
 
 "No, if you really want to know what I 
 think — I think you are the strongest girl I 
 ever knew. Katherine," — he reached impul- 
 sively for her hand, but she drew it away, — "I 
 think you are — well, I might as well say it, you 
 probably know it anyhow. I love you. I — 
 I don't know that there is anything else to say." 
 
 Katherine leaned back and looked at him. 
 Her back was toward the window, and he could 
 see only the outline of her head. 
 
 " Are you sure .-* " she asked slowly. 
 
 "You mean — you think I'm not well, that 
 I haven't control of myself — I do love you, 
 Katherine, so much that I can't get along with- 
 out you. You believe me, don't you } You 
 must believe me ! " 
 
 "Yes," very slowly, " I believe you." 
 
 "Then — " 
 
 " I don't know what to say. I'm afraid I 
 — Oh, don't say any more! It isn't right." 
 She rose suddenly as if to move away, but Har- 
 vey caught her dress and then her hand. 
 
 " Katherine, you aren't going to leave me 
 this way. Perhaps you don't want me, perhaps 
 I have been mistaken and foolish, but I love 
 you, and that ought to count for something." 
 
 ^ «i 
 
 '1 . % 
 
 w% 
 
 
mm, :, 
 
 Kr.Bii'' I'XTf,- 
 
 294 
 
 T/ie Short Lhie War 
 
 f ! V V 
 
 
 ii 
 
 ^^ ■■■■ 
 
 " It does — you don't understand — " She 
 looked out the window for a moment : the first 
 low-lying stars were out. " Don't you suppose," 
 she said at last, in a labored voice, " that I have 
 feelings ? Don't you suppose that I — I don't 
 mean that, either. You have been fighting my 
 father — I have helped you. I have helped you 
 to injure him, my own father. He is sick now, 
 and I left him to-day, because — " Harvey's 
 grasp tightened. " I have been disloyal to him, 
 I have been dishonest — and that counts for 
 something, too. No — we have been good 
 friends, we can still be good friends. Perhaps, 
 if it had been different — but it wasn't." 
 
 " You don't mean this, Katherine." 
 
 She drew her hand away and stood erect, 
 dignified now and calm. 
 
 "I am going home. I know that you love 
 me, and I know that you will not hurt me 
 any longer ; for it does hurt me, I will tell you 
 that." 
 
 " But I shall see you — " With an effort, he 
 raised himself to his feet and stood, weak and 
 giddy, leaning on the back of the chair. "I 
 won't give you up ! " 
 
 " Lie down. You mustn't tire yourself. We 
 
md — " She 
 lent : the first 
 you suppose," 
 , ** that I have 
 It I — I don't 
 
 1 fighting my 
 ve helped you 
 
 2 is sick now, 
 — " Harvey's 
 isloyal to him, 
 It counts for 
 i been good 
 ids. Perhaps, 
 isn't." 
 
 le." 
 
 d stood erect, 
 
 Harvey 
 
 295 
 
 don't know what may happen," she steadied 
 his arm as he sat down on the couch; "we 
 only know what is right for us now. Good-by. 
 I will speak to the steward." 
 
 With throbbing head Harvey sank back on 
 the cushions. A few moments later the doctor 
 came in. 
 
 
 .'I 
 
 \\W 
 
 \A 
 
 
 that you love 
 
 not hurt me 
 
 I will tell you 
 
 h an effort, he 
 lod, weak and 
 he chair. "I 
 
 i.i 
 
 .[i 
 
 yourself. We 
 
 I 
 
N' 
 
 CHAPTER XXI 
 
 THE TILLMAN CITY STOCK 
 
 The Governor was a familiar figure in 
 Chicago, and his presence in a hotel lobby 
 ordinarily excited no more than a glance of 
 curious interest from the loungers about the 
 news stand. The sensation he caused, when he 
 entered the office of the Great Northern on 
 Friday afternoon, was due to the company he 
 brought with him ; for on one side walked a 
 pale, nervous, careworn man, who was hardly 
 recognizable as the dapper, self-contained Will- 
 iam C. Porter, and on the other, burly as ever, 
 and, though grave, confident as ever, was Jim 
 Weeks. 
 
 A man who was registering at the desk 
 watched them as they stepped into an elevator, 
 and then said to the clerk : — 
 
 " Have you got your furniture well insured ? 
 Because you can bet your Hfe the fur will begin 
 to fly in a few minutes," 
 
 296 
 
well insured? 
 
 The Tillman City Stock 
 
 297 
 
 But the conference, which any reporter in 
 Chicago would have given his ears to hear, was 
 a quiet one. The Governor dominated the sit- 
 uation, and at the very outset he made this 
 clear. In his dealings with the Intelligent 
 Voter he was wont to call a spade by many 
 high-sounding names, but when he chose he 
 could call it a spade, and he did choose so to 
 do this afternoon. 
 
 The road, he said, was for the present in the 
 hands of the State. Every station was guarded 
 by a detail of State troops whc' had instruc- 
 tions to pay no attention to any \/rits from any 
 court whatever. In every case they were to 
 respect actual possession, and to allow the rou- 
 tine work of running the road to be carried on 
 by the men they found in charge. This state 
 of things would continue until the Governor was 
 fully convinced that there would be no further 
 attempt by either party to obtain possession of 
 the road by force. 
 
 The Governor went on to point out that a 
 continuation of this arrangement was against 
 the interest of both parties, as it brought the 
 affairs of the road into unpleasant prominence, 
 and every added day of it antagonized the peo= 
 
 i 
 
 i i\ 
 
 
 i 
 
 1%; jl 
 
 ■fii 
 
 in 
 
 v\\ 
 
 ifi 
 
 1*- 
 

 298 
 
 The Short Line War 
 
 pie more, and might eventually lead to some 
 rather drastic legislation which would hurt every 
 road in the State. 
 
 The courts would of course settle the ques- 
 tion of possession in time, but meanwhile some 
 sort of an understanding must be reached. 
 The Governor proposed as a solution of the 
 difficulty that the two men should jointly sign 
 a paper he had drawn up. 
 
 It was a petition addressed to the Governor 
 himself, asking him to appoint one or more men 
 to act as receivers of the road until the suits 
 should be settled by the regular process of law. 
 The men to be appointed were to be allies of 
 neither party in the fight. Both parties agreed 
 to refrain from any further attempts to use 
 force in getting possession of the road. 
 
 Weeks readily, and Porter after a moment of 
 hesitation, signed the paper, and the Governor 
 announced that his appointment would be made 
 immediately. 
 
 It was then arranged that the regular annual 
 election of directors, which was due on the fol- 
 lowing Tuesda}^, should be held as usual. After 
 the legal questions were settled, the Governoi s 
 conim.ission would turn over the road to the 
 newly elected board. 
 
 \ i 
 
The Tillman City Stock 
 
 299 
 
 lead to some 
 lid hurt every 
 
 ttle the ques- 
 anwhile some 
 be reached, 
 ution of the 
 d jointly sign 
 
 the Governor 
 or more men 
 ntil the suits 
 'ocess of law. 
 ) be allies of 
 larties agreed 
 ;mpts to use 
 ! road, 
 a moment of 
 the Governor 
 ould be made 
 
 jgular annual 
 je on the fol- 
 usual. After 
 le Governoi s 
 rnad tn the 
 
 When the conference was over, and it had 
 not been a long one, the tv^o warring railway 
 magnates, who in the past week had set the 
 whole State by the ears, rose and politely took 
 their leave. As they went down in the elevator 
 together, Weeks remarked, — 
 
 " Autumn seems to have taken hold early this 
 year." 
 
 "Yes," answered Porter, "it's extremely dis- 
 agreeable weather. I have my carriage here. 
 May I save you a walk } " 
 
 "No, thanks," said Jim; "I'm not going 
 far." 
 
 When they parted at the door they did not 
 shake hands, but there was nothing in their 
 manner to indicate that they had not just met 
 for the first time at an afternoon tea. 
 
 Jim went straight to his office, told Pease 
 that he must not be disturbed, and settled him- 
 self to some hard thinking. That afternoon 
 had materially changed the situation, and had 
 for the most part simplified it. There was no 
 further necessity for guarding against force. 
 There was no longer anything to be appre- 
 hended from the legal juggling of Judge Black, 
 for the Governor's interposition had rendered 
 
 ' I 
 
 
 \ 
 
The Short Line War 
 
 \i\ 
 
 him quite harmless. When the case was tried 
 it would be before an unprejudiced court. The 
 seizure of the road by the militia had come at the 
 right moment for Jim, for it left his employees 
 in possession as far down as Sawyerville. 
 
 The longer Jim thought, the simpler the prob- 
 lem became. He must bring about the election 
 of his board of directors. As matters stood he 
 could accomplish this only by voting the nine 
 thousand shares of new stock he had issued the 
 week before, thus giving Porter a more or less 
 strong case against him. But if he could com- 
 mand a majority of the stock without this, there 
 would be absolutely nothing for the courts to 
 decide, and Tuesday evening would see him 
 completely victorious. And so, for the first 
 time that week, Jim turned the whole force of 
 his attention to the Tillman City stock. 
 
 It was just ten days since he had instructed 
 Bridge to find out what was at the bottom of 
 Blaney's defiance, and in that time he had heard 
 no word from his lieutenant. There were but 
 three days more. 
 
 If it were his habit to act on impulse, as his 
 wonderful quickness led men to believe, he 
 would have gone straight to Tillman City, and 
 
The Tillman City Stock 
 
 301 
 
 ise was tried 
 court. The 
 d come at the 
 is employees 
 irville. 
 
 Dler the prob- 
 t the election 
 ters stood he 
 ing the nine 
 ad issued the 
 more or less 
 e could com- 
 lut this, there 
 he courts to 
 uld see him 
 for the first 
 hole force of 
 ock. 
 
 id instructed 
 le bottom of 
 tie had heard 
 ire were but 
 
 pulse, as his 
 
 believe, he 
 
 an City, and 
 
 carried on his fight there in person. But on 
 reflection he concluded that his presence there 
 would be likely to ruin whatever schemes 
 Bridge might be working out. " I'll wait a little 
 longer," he thought. 
 
 Bridge was in the hospital. His landlady 
 had found him in his room about an hour 
 after the fever overtook him, and visions of a 
 red quarantine card on her door-post had such 
 disquieting force that in an incredibly short 
 time the doctor and the oldest boarder were 
 carrying the unconscious politician wrapped in 
 a pair of blankets to the carriage which was to 
 take him thither. 
 
 Tillman City was proud of its hospital, and 
 the nursing and the medical attention which 
 Bridge received were as good as they could 
 have been. But after all it seemed to make 
 little difference, for the fever raged in him 
 in spite of all efforts to break it. He lay, 
 utterly insensible to his s Toundings, the ob- 
 ject of the curiosity, as well as the kindness, 
 of those about him ; for scarlet fever in a man, 
 especially so severe a case, is enough out of 
 the ordinary to be interesting. Sometimes his 
 
 ill! 
 
 i I 
 
 W 
 
 \ 
 
 : as f 
 
I ; 
 It i 
 
 302 
 
 The Short Line War 
 
 delirium became so violent that men had to 
 hold him down to the bed, but for the most of 
 the time he simply rolled and tossed, moaning 
 softly or chattering unintelligible syllables. 
 
 Wednesday evening his fever was slightly 
 lower and he lay comparatively quiet. Sitting 
 by the screen which kept the light of the night 
 lamp from his eyes was Grace Burns. She had 
 been a nurse only a little while, and to her 
 Bridge was not a case but a man. She felt a 
 great pity for the pathetic figure on the bed 
 and, when she saw that it was good for him to 
 have her by, she spent more than half the 
 hours of the twenty-four watching him. She 
 was a young woman, not yet thirty, and she 
 had the poise whic'T comes from nerves that 
 are never out of tune. Some of her nervous 
 strength she seemed to impart to him, and he 
 was rarely violent while under her care. 
 
 Now as she watched him she saw him throw 
 back the covers and sit up on the edge of the 
 bed. Tiie movement v/as so quick that before 
 she could reach him he was struggling to his feet. 
 
 "The contract," he said. " I must take it to 
 him right away." His voice and his inflection 
 were perfectly natural. 
 
The Tillman City Stock 
 
 303 
 
 ncn had to 
 the most of 
 ed, moaning 
 llablcs. 
 was slightly 
 liet. Sitting 
 of the night 
 IS. She had 
 and to her 
 
 She felt a 
 
 on the bed 
 
 d for him to 
 
 an half the 
 
 him. She 
 •ty, and she 
 nerves that 
 her nervous 
 him, and he 
 L-are. 
 
 vv him throw 
 edge of the 
 : that before 
 ig to his feet, 
 ast take it to 
 his inflection 
 
 "Yes," she said easily, "I'll attend to that. 
 There's plenty of time. Now lie down again." 
 
 He looked at her in a puzzled, questioning 
 way, but obeyed, and in a few moments his 
 moaning told her that the dull fever dreams had 
 again come upon him 
 
 When the doctor came to make his last visit 
 before the night, he looked grave. 
 
 " Has he had any lucid intervals .^ " he asked. 
 
 She told him what had happened earlier in 
 the evening. 
 
 " It's hard to tell," he said, "whether that was 
 dreams or not." 
 
 As he started to go, she asked, — 
 
 " Did they tell you downstairs that some one 
 had been here to see him } " 
 
 He shook his head. 
 
 "He came while I was down in the office, 
 and they said he had been here two or three 
 times before. He wanted to see Mr. Bridge, 
 he said, on a very important business matter." 
 
 The doctor smiled. "I'm afraid," he said, 
 "that business will be indefinitely postponed. 
 Who was the man } " 
 
 "He's one of our aldermen, Michael 
 bianey. 
 
 11 
 
N-' 
 
 304 
 
 The Short Line War 
 
 Ill 
 
 liP 
 
 
 They were startled by a cry from the bed. 
 Bridge was sitting bolt upright, and terror was 
 in his face. 
 
 " Stop him, Weeks ! " he gasped. " He's try- 
 ing to choke mc. Pull him off. You said he 
 shouldn't touch me." 
 
 The voice died away in a moan, and he sank 
 back in the pillows, breathing thickly. The 
 nurse sHpped quickly to his side, clasped his 
 wrist in her cool hand, and laid the other on 
 his forehead, and in a few moments his breath 
 was coming more regularly and the mad light 
 was gone out of his eyes. 
 
 The doctor looked on admiringly. "You'll 
 pull him out of this if anybody can," he said. 
 " It's strange he's got this Weeks business in 
 his head. He hasn't known anything since Sun- 
 day night, and there wasn't much about it in 
 the papers up to that time." 
 
 There was a silence while the doctor, after a 
 long look at his patient, turned and walked to 
 the door. When he reached it he said : — 
 
 •* There's something beside scarlet fever that 
 keeps up that delirium, I believe ; something on 
 his mind. I'd watch what he says pretty care- 
 fully, if I were you. He may give you a clew to 
 
t - 1 
 
 The Ttllvian City Stock 
 
 305 
 
 n the bed. 
 terror was 
 
 •' He's try. 
 ou said he 
 
 id he sank 
 ckly. The 
 clasped his 
 e other on 
 his breath 
 ; mad light 
 
 . " You'll 
 I," he said, 
 business in 
 J since Sun- 
 about it in 
 
 :tor, after a 
 i walked to 
 id: — 
 : fever that 
 imething on 
 pretty care- 
 3U a clew to 
 
 what's bothering him. Then perhaps we can 
 bring him around. Good night." 
 
 Grace Burns was not in the habit of reading 
 the papers, for her activities, her sympathies, 
 and her thoughts were pretty well absorbed 
 without them, but on Thursday morning she 
 read with eager interest the account of the fight 
 for the M. & T, railroad. She also read an 
 editorial on Jim Weeks, and then found out all 
 she could from the newspapers of the two days 
 previous. When she had finished, she aban- 
 doned a half-formed project of the night before 
 to write to Weeks and explain the situation to 
 him on the chance of his being of assistance. 
 She saw on what a large scale this man did 
 things and concluded that it was unlikely that 
 he had any connection with Bridge's affairs, if, 
 indeed, he had ever heard of him. He would 
 be too busy to pay much attention to anything 
 she might write. 
 
 All day long she listened to the sick man's 
 continuous talk, hoping that some meaning 
 would transpire through the incoherent sen- 
 tences, something that would guide her to the 
 source of his trouble; but her patience had 
 little reward. He spoke vaguely of a contract 
 
 
 \ *i\ 
 
 
 ^.% 
 
3o6 
 
 The Short Line War 
 
 :|! 
 
 fl ■ ' 
 
 once or twice, and as many times he mentioned 
 the name of Jim Weeks, and at those times she 
 thought of her plan again ; mentally she would 
 begin framing the note she would write to the 
 great capitalist. But as often as she did this 
 she realized that she had nothing to say to him, 
 and with a sigh she put the thought away to 
 wait at least until she could find out something 
 more definite. 
 
 The next morning, Friday, she read in the 
 papers of the dramatic happenings of the day 
 before and of Jim Weeks's going to Chicago, 
 presumably for a conference with the Governor. 
 The bigness of it appalled her a little, and again 
 the courage she had been storing up over night 
 to write the note oozed away. For after all it 
 was a question of courage, courage to do some- 
 thing which common sense called absurd on the 
 bare chance that it might do good. 
 
 The day was a repetition of the day before, 
 but late in the afternoon the persistent thought, 
 " it might do some good," drove her to write to 
 Jim Weeks. The note read : — ■ 
 
 " Mr. Bridge [she did not know his initials] is 
 dangerously sick here in the hospital. He has 
 been delirious ever since he was brought here, 
 
The Tilbnan City Stock 
 
 307 
 
 le mentioned 
 Dse times she 
 ly she would 
 write to the 
 she did this 
 say to him, 
 ight away to 
 ut something 
 
 read in the 
 s of the day 
 ; to Chicago, 
 :he Governor. 
 tie, and again 
 Lip over night 
 )r after all it 
 3 to do some- 
 ibsurd on the 
 
 3 day before, 
 itcnt thought, 
 er to write to 
 
 nis initials] is 
 tal. He has 
 )rought here, 
 
 and has frequently called for you, sometimes as 
 if he wanted to tell you something, and at others 
 as if he desired your protection. I write in the 
 hope that you will be able either to come or to 
 suggest some clew to his delusions which may 
 enable us to remove them." 
 
 It was mailed that evening and reached Jim 
 about noon Saturday. Not half an hour after- 
 ward she received a telegram which took a load 
 off her mind : — 
 
 Shall reach Tillman at eight this evening and will drive 
 direct to the hospital. Please arrange it so I can see 
 him immediately after I arrive there. 
 
 She was in the sick room watching, when Jim 
 was shown in. He walked directly to the bed 
 and stood looking down at Bridge for a moment, 
 and then spoke to Grace Burns. 
 
 " Has he any chance ? What is it } " 
 
 " It's scarlet fever. The doctor doesn't seem 
 to think there's much hope." 
 
 " Poor devil," said Jim under his breath. 
 
 The nurse suddenly bent forward over the sick 
 man, and motioned Jim to silence. Bridge's lips 
 were moving and he seemed to be struggling to 
 speak. 
 
 I ji 
 
 < III 
 
308 
 
 The Short Line War 
 
 
 I: 
 
 "Yes, he's here," said the nurse in answer to 
 the half-heard question. 
 
 Jim dropped on one knee beside the bed. 
 " Yes, I'm Jim Weeks," he said. " Do you want 
 to tell me anything?" 
 
 Again it was the nurse's ear that caught the 
 words, "My coat — in the pocket — the con- 
 tract." 
 
 " I'll get it," she said quickly, and in a moment 
 she had come back into the room, with the coat 
 Bridge had worn when they brought him to the 
 hospital. 
 
 Jim took the coat, took a handful of papers 
 out of the pockets and glanced over them. A 
 scrawled and crumpled sheet caught his eye, and 
 straightening it out he read it carefully, holding 
 it close to the dim night lamp. He stood erect 
 again, staring intently at the grotesque shadows 
 on the screen. Grace Burns, who was watching 
 him, saw that for the moment Bridge was for- 
 gotten. 
 
 But presently his face softened and a smile 
 came into his eyes. Again he went to the bed- 
 side and dropped on one knee. He spoke softly, 
 but there was a restrained ring in his voice. 
 
 "You've saved us. Bridge; can you under- 
 
 l!:'; 
 
in answer to 
 
 ie the bed. 
 Do you want 
 
 : caught the 
 : — the con- 
 in a moment 
 vith the coat 
 t him to the 
 
 il of papers 
 T them. A 
 : his eye, and 
 ully, holding 
 stood erect 
 ^ue shadows 
 ^as watching 
 ige was for- 
 
 and a smile 
 t to the bed- 
 spoke softly, 
 is voice, 
 you under- 
 
 
 TJie Tillman City Stock 
 
 309 
 
 stand me "i We're going to win out. You were 
 in time." 
 
 He took the thin hand that lay on the cover- 
 let and it clasped his convulsively. He looked 
 curiously at the sick man, and then as the weak 
 grip was not relaxed he sat down on the side of 
 the bed and waited. Five minutes crept away, 
 and another five, and then the slow easy breath- 
 ing told them that Bridge was asleep. 
 
 As the hand let go of his, Weeks rose to go. 
 The nurse followed him to the door, where she 
 said simply : — 
 
 ** Thank you for coming. It saved his life." 
 
 "Then it was you who saved it," said Jim. 
 "And you saved me, too. I won't forget it." 
 
 I 
 
 \ 
 
 ■ il 
 
 i'fl 
 
 1 ; 
 
 i^^i 
 
 ! '■ 
 
 m 
 
 
 ^H 
 
 '■' \ 
 
 ^H 
 
 1 
 
 j 
 
 I 
 
 1 , ^ 
 
 1 
 
CHAPTER XXII 
 
 THE WINNING OF THE ROAD 
 
 The Chicago papers reach Tilhiian City by 
 nine o'clock every morning, and the inhabitants 
 wait till then for information from the outside 
 world. At supper time they read fragmentary 
 Associated Press despatches and a more or less 
 accurate chronicle of local happenings in TJie 
 Watchman. Since the coming of the new 
 editor, Tillman's one daily had contrived to 
 worry along without the assistance of a patent 
 inside, for he was an ambitious young fellow 
 with a knack for writing snappy editorials, and 
 he made the most of the meagre news the city 
 furnished. 
 
 He did not hear of Jim's arrival in town and 
 his drive to the hospital until next morning. 
 When told of it, he laid down his pipe and 
 began slipping on his coat. 
 
 " I suppose he's in town yet," he said to the 
 reporter who had brought the news. "If he is, 
 
 31:0 
 

 )AD 
 
 man City by 
 le inhabitants 
 1 the outside 
 fragmentary 
 L more or less 
 nings in TJie 
 of the new 
 contrived to 
 s of a patent 
 yTjung fellow 
 editorials, and 
 lews the city 
 
 I in town and 
 ext morning, 
 his pipe and 
 
 le said to the 
 s. " If he is, 
 
 The Winning of the Road 
 
 311 
 
 I'm going to see him ; then I can make some- 
 thing out of what he might have said. He's 
 the kind that makes me mad. He's got as 
 good a story inside him as any man in the 
 United States this morning, but it would take a 
 chemical process to get it out of him." 
 
 Jim was in his room at the Hotel Tremain, try- 
 ing to decide upon the best way to bring Blaney 
 to terms. The most direct course would be to go 
 to Blaney and try to convince him of the worth- 
 lessness of McNally's contract. Blaney was 
 badly scared already : that was evident enough 
 in his manner during the interview Jim had had 
 with him on the artesian road. The two weeks 
 of suspense, during which time it was clear that 
 Jim was winning, would not tend to increase 
 Blaney's confidence. It would not take much 
 of a bluff to complete his demoralization. 
 
 But the difficulty lay in the manner of ap- 
 proach. To make the bluff most effective, 
 Blaney should be frightened into seeking Jim. 
 If he went to Blaney's house, the contractor 
 would probably suspect that some weakness in 
 Jim's position made him depend on Blaney's 
 aid. Jim was not worrying over the problem as 
 other men worry, for he had been quite sincere 
 
 •it 
 
 mi 
 
312 
 
 The Short Line War 
 
 \- \ t 
 
 •i I 
 
 J-! 
 
 
 
 
 
 i 
 
 i 
 
 
 
 
 in telling Bridge that they were sure to win. 
 Years of this kind of lighting had given him a 
 just estimate of the immense value of time, and 
 he had forty-eight hours left in which to get con- 
 trol of the Tillman City stock. Campaigns have 
 been lost and won again in less time than that. 
 When the bell-boy brought up the editor's 
 card Jim stared at it a moment, then told the 
 boy to show him in. Had the boy looked up 
 he would have seen that Jim was smiling. His 
 plan had come to him. 
 
 When the editor came into the room he found 
 Jim lounging in a big chair with his feet on an- 
 other, bent apparently on spending the morn- 
 ing in luxurious idleness. Jim did not rise but 
 greeted him cheerfully, and the editor took the 
 chair Jim nodded to and accepted the cigar Jim 
 offered him. This was the beginning of what 
 the editor afterward spoke of as his trance. 
 
 For there sat Jim Weeks, the wary, the close- 
 mouthed, the reporter's despair, artlessly telling 
 the whole inside history of the fight for the 
 M. & T. At first the editor hardly dared 
 to breathe for fear of bringing Jim to his 
 senses and the story to a premature conclusion ; 
 but as the President talked apparently in his 
 
sure to win. 
 
 given him a 
 of time, and 
 :h to get con- 
 npaigns have 
 le than that. 
 
 the editor's 
 hen told the 
 )y looked up 
 ;miling. His 
 
 )om he found 
 is feet on an- 
 ig the morn- 
 not rise but 
 iitor took the 
 the cigar Jim 
 ning of what 
 is trance, 
 ary, the close- 
 rtlessly telHng 
 fight for the 
 hardly dared 
 r Jim to his 
 re conclusion ; 
 larentlv in his 
 
 The Winning of the Road 313 
 
 right mind, the editor became bolder and began 
 asking questions. In answering, Jim told him 
 that the fight was practically over. It would 
 formally be decided on Tuesday at the stock- 
 holders' meeting ; but as Jim and his allies con- 
 trolled a majority of the stock, the outcome was 
 certain. 
 
 Then having cleared away the preliminaries 
 Jim came to the point. " Your finance com- 
 mittee here in Tillman is going to vote your 
 stock against us, though," he said. "Porter 
 has pulled their leg with a fake contract, and 
 they're just about big enough fools to be caught 
 by that sort of a game. I've known about it 
 for some time, and I might have done some- 
 thmg if we hadn't stood to win anyway. As 
 it is they can't beat us, no matter how they 
 vote." ^ 
 
 There were more questions and more per- 
 fectly frank answers, and at last the editor 
 knew practically all there was to know about 
 the dealings of the wily Mr. Blaney. Jim did 
 not seem to take the contract very seriously, 
 but he was evidently perfectly familiar with 
 '^ts provisions. When the editor rose to go his 
 ,. „ao laiiiy uvvnin. 
 
 iif" 
 
 I'' I 
 I'll 
 
 ■ :; 
 
 Ml^ ?! 
 
 I! 
 
! 
 
 T 
 
 t 
 
 ' -1 
 
 H - 
 
 1 
 
 
 
 
 f 
 
 ki, 
 
 
 314 
 
 77/^ 5//^;'/ Line War 
 
 "Mr. Weeks," he asked, "have you given 
 this story to any one else?" 
 " No," said Jim. 
 
 "We don't come out till to-morrow after- 
 noon," said the editor. " We haven't a Sunday 
 edition. Will the story be any good by that time? " 
 " That's as you think," said Jim. " I shan't 
 give it to any one else." 
 
 The bewildered editor went on his way 
 rejoiciuG:, and Jim packed his bag and started 
 for Chicago. He had planted his mine under 
 Blaney and he could do nothing more with 
 him until the time for exploding it. Jim 
 was satisfied with his plan. The story which 
 T/ie Watchman was to print the next afternoon 
 was almost sure to scare Blaney into submission. 
 True, the time was short between the issue 
 of the paper and the stockholders' meeting, 
 but this fact was after all rather to Jim's 
 advantage than otherwise. The only element 
 of uncertainty in Jim's success lay in the pos- 
 sible countermove which McNaliy might make 
 to reassure Blaney. The chances were, Jim 
 thought, that McNally would not hear of the 
 story in The Watchman until Tuesday morning. 
 Jim reached Chicago late Sunuay ai.ternoon. 
 
you given 
 
 orrow after- 
 I't a Sunday 
 jr that time?" 
 , "I shan't 
 
 on his way 
 
 and started 
 
 mine under 
 
 ; more with 
 
 ng it. Jim 
 
 story which 
 
 ;xt afternoon 
 
 D submission. 
 
 en the issue 
 
 irs' meeting, 
 
 ler to Jim's 
 
 only element 
 
 y in the pos- 
 
 might make 
 
 ;s were, Jim 
 
 ; hear of the 
 
 day morning. 
 
 ay afternoon. 
 
 T/ie IVuining of the Road 315 
 
 On Monday he and Harvey were back in the 
 office workin£r m other matters. Not until 
 Tuesday morning did Jim start for Manchester, 
 where the stockholders' meeting was to be held 
 that afternoon. 
 
 At eleven o'clock Jim walked into the lobby 
 of the Illinois House, lighted a cigar at the 
 nev s stand, nodded familiarly to the clerk, and 
 passed on into the writing room. The clerk 
 said to a bell-boy, — 
 
 " Go into the bar and tell Mr. Blaney that 
 Jim Weeks is here." 
 
 Blaney had been ^vaiting for that message 
 for the past hour, for he had told the clerk to 
 let him know as soon as Jim should arrive, 
 and he had expected him earlier ; but now he 
 only swore savagely at the bell-boy, and 
 ordered another whiskey. It was the last of 
 a long series of bracers, and it did its work 
 a little too well. 
 
 With soldierly erectness he walked out of the 
 bar, across the lobby, and into the writing room. 
 Jmi was writing at a desk and did not look up 
 as Blaney entered, so the contractor went round 
 behind him and dropped his hand heavily on 
 Jim's shoulder. 
 
 II 
 
 isi 
 
 "Si 
 
' i f^ 
 
 '*!iiif^ 
 
 316 
 
 T/ie Short Line War 
 
 *' I want to talk to you," he said fiercely. 
 
 Jim looked up as if to see who it was, and 
 then turned back to his writing. 
 
 " Well, talk away," he said. 
 
 " I want to see you in p^-vate," said Blaney, 
 excited to rage by Jim's indifference. 
 
 Jim affected to consider for a moment ; then 
 he rose and led the way to the office, where he 
 told the clerk that he wanted a room for an 
 hour or so, and that on no account must he be 
 disturbed. 
 
 The two men climbed to the room in silence. 
 When they reached it, Jim followed Blaney in, 
 locked the door behind him, and put the key in 
 his pocket. The action made Blaney nervous, 
 and the warmth at the pit of his stomach was 
 beginning to ue succeeded by something that 
 felt like a large lump of cold lead. 
 
 "Well," said Jim, "we're private enough 
 now. What have you got to say ? " 
 
 Blaney pumped up all the bluster he could. 
 
 "All I want to find out is, who wrote that 
 story in The Watchman^ 
 
 " That's all, is it .? " said Jim. " I could have 
 told you that downstairs. I wrote it." 
 
 Then Blaney broke loose. He was working 
 
 ii 
 
; could have 
 
 "^^^ic Winning of the Road 317 
 
 himself up to a perfect frenzy of denials, accusa- 
 tions, threats, and blasphemy. The man was a 
 pitiable spectacle, and Jim, leaning back against 
 the locked door, watched him in mingled amuse- 
 ment and contempt. Ho was surprised that 
 Blaney should have become so utterly demoral- 
 ized. He had never considered the contractor 
 a big man, or even a good fighter, but that he 
 would go to pieces so easily was unexpected. 
 He did not know how violent the explosion in 
 Tillman had been. The town sided with Jim 
 Weeks, and when the people reahzed how he 
 was to be sold out, the storm exceeded the 
 editor's wildest expectations, and Blaney was 
 brought face to face with political ruin. 
 
 Jim 1 .t the almost hysterical rage expend 
 Itself before he interrupted. Then he said : — 
 
 "Shut up, Blaney. You've made a fool of 
 yourself long enough. And I've fooled with 
 you long enough. You've been trying ever 
 since you were alderman to throw me down 
 You've talked about how much you were goinr 
 to do, and all the while we've been laughing at 
 you. Then this McNally came along and set 
 up you and Williams to a dinner at the Hotel 
 ^xcmam and paid you some money and gave 
 
'iii 
 
 '{< 
 
 I'Ji^iB 
 
 I: 
 
 W 
 
 mm 
 
 
 m 
 
 ■4I 
 
 318 
 
 'jy^e Short Line War 
 
 you this fool contract, to get you to vote the 
 Tillman City proxies his way." 
 
 Jim took a copy of the contract out of his 
 pocket and read it aloud, while Blaney listened 
 in stupid amazement. " McNally is a smart 
 man," Jim went on, folding the contract and 
 replacing it, "and he sized you up just about 
 right when he figured he could take you in with 
 a fake like' this, that isn't worth the paper it is 
 written on. And when you'd got fooled so you 
 thought C. & S. C. would pay par for your 
 stock, what do you do but go around and tell a 
 man you know is working for me all about it ! 
 And now when I've got you just where I want 
 you, where you can only wriggle, you come 
 around and try to scare me. Do you know 
 what you are .'' You're just a plain damn fool." 
 
 Blaney did not seem to hear the last words 
 of what was probably the longest speech Jim 
 Weeks had ever made. His attention had been 
 riveted on something else. 
 
 " Bridge," he exclaimed. " Br:dge gave that 
 away, did he .? " 
 
 "Yes," said Jim; "Bridge gave me this con- 
 tract. There's just about one more fool thing 
 you can do, Blaney, and that is try to touch 
 
to vote the 
 
 t out of his 
 ney listened 
 
 is a smart 
 
 ontract and 
 
 I just about 
 
 you in with 
 
 paper it is 
 )oled so you 
 ir for your 
 i and tell a 
 ill about it! 
 here I want 
 , you come 
 I you know 
 damn fool." 
 e last words 
 
 speech Jim 
 on had been 
 
 je gave that 
 
 ne this con- 
 e fool thing 
 :ry to touch 
 
 ilic Winning of the Road 
 
 319 
 
 him. Try it! Why, man, if you do I'll break 
 you to pieces." The words had a ring in them, 
 but Jim quieted instantly. " I'm looking out 
 for Bridge." 
 
 There was a long silence. Blaney dropped 
 limply into a gaudy rocking-chair and with a 
 dirty handkerchief mopped the sweat out of his 
 eyes. Jim had not moved from his position 
 before the door. His lips were grave, but some- 
 thing in his eyes suggested that he was smiling. 
 It was Jim who spoke at last. 
 
 " I don't believe you've got anything to say 
 to me, and I haven't much more to say to you. 
 You've got the Tillman proxies for five thousand 
 shares and you're going to ^ tc them in a couple 
 of hours. You can vote . . .^m either way you 
 like. It doesn't make much difference tn me be- 
 cause T 1 b) at least four thousand even if you 
 go agamst me. But if you do, you'll find it hard 
 work a year from now to get a city job laying 
 bricks in Tillman. I'll guarantee that. If you 
 choose to vote 'em my way that story in The 
 Watchman will fall by it. own weight. I'll 
 leave you alone so long as ju don't monkey 
 with Bridge." 
 
 " I won't monkey with Bridge," said Blaney, 
 
 i 
 
\20 
 
 The Short Line War 
 
 h\ 
 
 V 
 
 '■r 
 
 sullenly; "but I'll tell you, you're making a big 
 mistake to take any stock in him. He's been 
 lying to you. I never saw that contract before. 
 He came to me and tried to get me to go up 
 against you, and when I wouldn't he must have 
 got up that contract to get even with me. That's 
 what made me so mad about that story in the 
 papers." 
 
 "I see," said Jim, with unshaken gravity. 
 "Well, there's no use in talking any more, I 
 guess. We understand each other." And with 
 these words Jim unlocked the door and walked 
 downstairs to dinner. 
 
 By four o'clock it was all over ; the road was 
 won, and Jim, struggling into his overcoat, was 
 reflecting on how beautifully success succeeds. 
 For Blaney had not been the only one to change 
 sides, and the result of the election had been a 
 sweeping victory, which surprised even Jim. The 
 stampede had caught Thompson and Wing, and 
 the only holdings which had been voted against 
 him were those directly represented by Porter. 
 Porter had attended the meeting and was sur- 
 prised to find that his relief at having the fight 
 well over was almost strong enough to make 
 up for his chagrin and disappointment at being 
 defeated. 
 
 
The Witmhig of the Road 
 
 321 
 
 naking a big 
 He's been 
 tract before, 
 ne to go up 
 e must have 
 me. That's 
 story in the 
 
 :en gravity. 
 
 my more, I 
 
 And with 
 
 and walked 
 
 he road was 
 k^ercoat, was 
 38 succeeds, 
 le to change 
 had been a 
 n Jim. The 
 I Wing, and 
 )ted against 
 I by Porter, 
 tid was sur- 
 ng the fight 
 ^h to make 
 mt at being 
 
 He met Jim at the door, and after a word of 
 commonplaces he inquired after Harvey. 
 
 " He's getting on all right," said Jim. " He 
 got a crack over the head that's bothering him 
 a little, but it's nothing serious." 
 
 "Weeks," said Porter, abruptly, "I want a 
 word with you about that affair. That attempt 
 to kidnap him was dirty business. I don't think 
 I need say that it was done without my sanc- 
 tion. The man who was responsible for it is 
 no longer in my employ. Good day." 
 
 "That," mused Jim as he drove to the North- 
 ern Station, "is what comes of having a daughter 
 like Miss Katherine Porter." 
 
(I 
 
 ill! '. 
 
 \i 
 
 I i 
 
 
 it'l ' ! 
 
 
 ■ 
 
 ^ 
 
 ; 
 
 i: 
 
 ':' 
 
 ^i 
 
 :1h 
 
 fir] 
 
 1 
 
 CHAPTER XXIII 
 
 THE SURRENDER 
 
 Jim looked up from a desk that was piled high 
 with letters and memoranda. 
 
 " West, what do think of that ? " he said, hand- 
 ing a type-written sheet across to the other desk. 
 
 It was an order addressed to Mattison, rein- 
 stating J. Donohue in the passenger service of 
 the M. & T. 
 
 "He deserves it," replied Harvey, briefly. 
 "Shall I send it on.?" 
 "Yes." 
 
 Each turned back to his work. Such inter- 
 ruptions were rare now in Jim's office in the 
 Washington Building. For any man of wide 
 and commanding interests to drop his routine 
 even for a day or so means a busy time catch- 
 ing up later on ; and in the case of Jim, who 
 had lost all told the better part of two weeks, 
 the accumulation was almost disheartening, par- 
 ticularly to Harvey. 
 
 323 
 
The Stirrender 
 
 323 
 
 IS piled high 
 
 e said, hand- 
 ; other desk, 
 attison, rein- 
 jr service of 
 
 ^ey, briefly. 
 
 Such inter- 
 ffice in the 
 an of wide 
 his routine 
 time catch- 
 f Jim, who 
 two weeks, 
 tening, par- 
 
 Although he had to come to Chicago early 
 Friday morning, spending only one night at the 
 Oakwood Club, it was not until Monday that 
 Harvey was able to resume work. In the 
 meantime he had neither seen nor heard from 
 Katherine. During that long night at the club 
 he had planned, in a feverish, restless way, to 
 drive to her home in the morning; but the 
 morning saw him speeding to Chicago, weak 
 and nerveless. During Friday and Saturday 
 he was confined to his room by order of the 
 physician, but on Sunday, a bright day, he 
 walked out. 
 
 His first letter to Katherine was written Sat- 
 urday afternoon. It was a simple statement, 
 a manly plea for what he desired more than 
 anything else in the world, and as he read it 
 over he felt that it must have an effect. That 
 it deeply moved Katherine was shown by the 
 reply which came on the following Tuesday. 
 She did not waste words, but there was in 
 her little note an honest directness that left 
 Harvey helpless to reply. She made no con- 
 cealment of her love, though not stating it, 
 but repeated practically what she had said that 
 afternoon at the club. Again it was, " We 
 
 i % 
 
 ■I ii 
 
 In 
 
 ?f 
 
v'l.n 
 
 
 11. 
 
 
 p ■ 
 
 f!^ ' 
 
 M 
 
 i§:V^l 
 
 ; 1 ■■ ! 
 
 
 
 
 ^i i 
 
 / 
 
 
 1 
 
 324 
 
 T/ie Short Line War 
 
 must wait-" even indefinitely. Harvey read 
 the note many times. Tuesday night he sat 
 down with a wild idea of answering it, but his 
 inner sense of delicacy restrained him. She 
 had put the matter in such a light, practically 
 throwing herself on his generosity, his love 
 for her, that he realized that to write again 
 would only make her duty harder. And in 
 the mtervals when Harvey's passionate im- 
 patience gave way to calmer reflection, he 
 knew that he loved her the better for her 
 strength. 
 
 Wednesday and Thursday passed. Harvey's 
 complete recovery was slow, though he worked 
 hard at his desk ; even the news of Jim's vic- 
 tory seemed to have little effect on him. He 
 was listless, his work contained little of the 
 old vigor and energy, and there were rings 
 under his eyes. Jim said nothing, but he had 
 not been blind to Katherine's tell-tale interest 
 when Harvey was found. He knew Harvey 
 even better than the younger man suspected.' 
 From the nature of his work and experience 
 Jim had learned to read human nature, -prob- 
 ably that faculty had much to do with his suc- 
 cess, -and the fact that in Harvey's make-up 
 
Harvey read 
 flight he sat 
 ig it, but his 
 1 him. She 
 t, practically 
 ty, his love 
 write again 
 2r. And in 
 isionate im- 
 :flection, he 
 ter for her 
 
 . Harvey's 
 he worked 
 f Jim's vic- 
 i him. He 
 ttle of the 
 were rings 
 3ut he had 
 ale interest 
 w Harvey, 
 suspected, 
 experience 
 re, — prob- 
 th his suc- 
 s make-up 
 
 The Surrender 
 
 325 
 
 were certain of his own rugged characteris- 
 tics had drawn him to Harvey more than to 
 any other man of his acquaintance: this in 
 addition to the one touch of sentiment that 
 had influenced Jim's whole career, for he could 
 not forget that Harvey was the son of the 
 only woman he had ever loved. 
 
 Thursday evening Jim sat down to his soli- 
 tary dinner with a feeling of utter loneliness. 
 There came back to him, clearer than for a 
 quarter of a century, all the yearning, the 
 unrest, the self-abandon of his love for Ethel 
 Harvey. The years had rounded him, and 
 built up in him a sturdy character; he stood 
 before the world a man of solid achievement, 
 calm, successful, satisfied. His spreading in- 
 terests, his intricate affairs, the prestige and 
 credit of his position— these had combined to 
 concentrate his energies, to hold, day and 
 night, his thoughts, crowding out alike dreams 
 and memories. He had given the best of his 
 life, not for gold, but for power, credit, influ- 
 ence. The struggle had fascinated him, he 
 had risen to each new emergency with a thrill 
 at the thought of grappling with men of mettle, 
 of calling into play each muscle of the system 
 
fl \i 
 
 \'H 
 
 Hl^ nij 
 
 
 f i" 
 
 
 '2 j 
 
 V ' 
 
 I / ; •■ : 
 
 ■ .1 > 
 
 326 
 
 T/ie Short Lhie War 
 
 he had organized. But as he left the table 
 and walked with unelastic step into the library, 
 there rose before him the picture of Harvey, 
 weak and pale but filled nevertheless with the 
 vigor of youthful blood, stretched on a couch, 
 while over him, gentle in her womanhood, 
 Katherine was bending. As the scene came 
 back he again moved through it, and again, 
 as he turned to go, he caught a glimpse of 
 her eyes, and he saw in them the look that 
 no man can view without a prayer, a look that 
 melted through the crust of years and left 
 Jim's heart bare. 
 
 It was dark in the library, but he cared not. 
 He sat before the wide table staring at the 
 shadows. For the first time in many years he 
 was far from stocks and from the world. He 
 tried madly, desperately, then humbly, to fight 
 down tl ther picture — that of the only other 
 woman whose eyes had reached his heart ; but 
 the struggle was too great, and with head 
 buried on his outstretched arms Jim gave way 
 to a flood burst of memory that poured out 
 years in moments. 
 
 Some time later he raised his head. Habits 
 so fixed as Jim's will assert themselves even 
 
t the table 
 the library, 
 of Harvey, 
 3S with the 
 n a couch, 
 womanhood, 
 jcene came 
 and again, 
 glimpse of 
 look that 
 I look that 
 s and left 
 
 cared not. 
 ng at the 
 y years he 
 i^orld. He 
 ly, to fight 
 only other 
 heart; but 
 -vith head 
 gave way 
 oured out 
 
 i. Habits 
 ;Ives even 
 
 The Surrender 
 
 327 
 
 in moments of stress, and now what was almost 
 an instinct urged him to such action as would 
 even slightly ease the strain. Harvey was his 
 hope, Harvey's happiness and Katherine's 
 was all that appealed to him now, and so with 
 set teeth he rang for his carriage. Jim Weeks 
 had faced many problems, he had gone lightly 
 into many battles, but never before had his 
 energies been so set upon a single object. 
 
 Jim drove direct to Harvey's rooms, and, 
 finding them dark, walked in, lighted up, drew 
 down the curtains, and sank wearily into the 
 easy-chair. He was by this time near his 
 old self, save for the wrinkles about his eyes, 
 which seemed deeper. He had not before 
 been in Harvey's quarters, and he looked about 
 with almost nervous interest. Later he picked 
 up the evening paper and tried to read, but 
 dropped it and took to walking about the room. 
 On the mantel was the kodak picture of Kath- 
 erine, and he paused to look at it. It so held 
 his interest that he did not hear the door open 
 five minutes later. 
 
 Harvey closed the door and threw his over- 
 coat on a chair. 
 
 
 '• :■ V 
 
 i fl, i 
 
 m 
 
 j:. 
 
 <( 
 
 B 
 
 £^r^ r>o v/-l/-\»* 
 
 (^>. 1, 
 
 M 1- 
 
 
 I' 
 
1' i' 
 
 h.. . A 
 
 hi <i I 
 
 ;*4i! 'i 
 
 1 
 
 ''■ ^''^^i| 
 
 i; '-/}] ''i 
 
 ' ■ ' \ 
 
 r ' :f 
 
 V 
 
 
 
 
 
 1 ^' 
 
 t 
 
 328 
 
 77/^ 5/wr/ Line War 
 
 said, apparently not surprised at Jim's pres- 
 ence. " If I had known you were here, I'd have 
 come back earlier. Been out for a little ex- 
 ercise." 
 
 Jim nodded, and turned back to the photo- 
 graph. 
 
 " This is Porter's daughter, isn't it } " he said 
 abruptly. 
 
 With a brief "Yes," Harvey threw himself 
 into a chair by the table. After a moment Jim 
 turned and stood with his back to the mantel, 
 looking at Harvey, then he crossed over and 
 sat down. 
 
 "West, I've been thinking of you to-night, 
 and I've come over to have a talk with you. 
 You are in bad shape. You show it plain 
 enough. If it were any other time, if we 
 weren't already so far behind with our work, 
 I'd send you off somewhere for a vacation. 
 You need it." 
 
 Harvey smiled wearily. 
 
 "A fellow can't expect to get over a row 
 like that in a day or so. I'll be all right in a 
 week." 
 
 "Look here," Jim leaned back and looked 
 squarely at riarvey, "why don't you own up.^ 
 
 1^1 
 
The Surrender 
 
 329 
 
 Jim's pres- 
 
 :re, I'd have 
 
 a little ex- 
 
 the photo- 
 
 t ? " he said 
 
 rew himself 
 noment Jim 
 the mantel, 
 i over and 
 
 )u to-night, 
 : with you, 
 'W it plain 
 me, if we 
 our work, 
 a vacation. 
 
 3ver a row 
 right in a 
 
 nd looked 
 X own up? 
 
 Why don't you tell me about it ? It's — it's her, 
 isn't it ? " indicating the photograph. 
 
 Harvey returned Jim's gaze with an expres- 
 sion of some surprise, then he leaned forward 
 and looked at the carpet, resting his elbows on 
 his knees. 
 
 " Of course," Jim continued, " it isn't exactly 
 in my line, but I might be able to bring some 
 common sense to bear on it. When a man's 
 bothered about a girl, he's likely to need a little 
 common sense. I understand — of course — if 
 you'd rather not talk about it — " 
 
 There was a long silence. Harvey broke it. 
 
 "I don't know but what you're right. I 
 haven't known just what to do. Things are 
 pretty much mixed up. You want me to tell 
 you } " 
 
 Jim nodded. 
 
 "It isn't that she doesn't care for me. I 
 think she does. You know she's always 
 honest. But somehow it strikes her as a 
 question of duty. She loves her father, and 
 she feels that she hasn't been loyal to him. 
 I've written to her, — I've used up all my ar- 
 guments, — but she puts it in such a way that I 
 au t oay aiiOiiici vvuiu vviLiiuut aciuaiiy nurtmg 
 
 II 
 
l) '■ 
 
 330 
 
 T/ie Short Line War 
 
 M.^ 
 
 Ill 
 
 t 
 
 !:■• 
 
 'will 
 
 her. To her mind it's just a plain case of right 
 and wrong, and that settles it. You know ^h^'^, 
 that kind of a girl." 
 
 "Yes," said Jim, '< I suppose she is." 
 " I've gone over and over it until I'm all at 
 sea. I don't seem to ha-c a grip on myself. I 
 can't write to her or go to see her. It would 
 be sfniply dishonorable after the way she has 
 talked to me — and written." Harvey rose and 
 walked to the mantel, resting his elbows on it 
 and looking at the photograph. 
 
 " When was it .? " asked Jim. " That day in 
 the Oakwood Club.?" 
 
 "Yes." 
 
 " And you know she loves you ? " 
 
 " I didn't say I knew it." 
 
 "Well, then, I do." 
 
 At this Harvey turned, but Jim's face was 
 quiet. 
 
 " Yes, I know it. You say there is nothing 
 in the way but her father.?" 
 
 "That is all I know about." 
 
 " I can ease your mind on that. I had a short 
 talk with Porter Tuesday, and I think he's 
 a little ashamed of himself. He told me that 
 
 Si,- 
 
 * 1 
 
 he was against that Ici'dn^nt^'n- --t-- ---• 
 
 ^1 
 
 U\ 
 
The Surrender 
 
 331 
 
 case of right 
 >u know she's 
 
 is." 
 
 til I'm all at 
 >n myself. I 
 T. It would 
 way she has 
 vey rose and 
 elbows on it 
 
 That day in 
 
 's face was 
 is nothing 
 
 had a short 
 think he's 
 Id me that 
 
 that he has broken with McNally. Probably 
 Miss Porter has had a talk with him by this 
 time, — I don't see how they could help it, — 
 and if she has, I guess some of her ideas have 
 changed a little." 
 
 Jim paused, but as Harvey stood facing the 
 mantel without speaking he went on : — 
 
 " There's just one thing for you to do. West. 
 You go down there and begin all over again. 
 If she's got any pride, she won't write to you — 
 Why, man, any girl would expect — You've 
 got to ! Understand t You've got to ! " 
 
 As he spoke Jim rose and stood erect ; then, 
 as Harvey still was silent, he took to pacing the 
 floor. Harvey was looking, not at the picture, 
 but through it into a calm summer night on 
 the river, when Katherine had given him that 
 first glimpse of herself, the woman he loved 
 and was always to love. He saw her beside 
 him in the trap, watching with bright, eager 
 eyes the striding bays, and later tugging at his 
 watch-fob. He saw her in the gray twilight, 
 bending down over him and saying in that low 
 thrilling voice: "We don't know what may 
 happen. We only know what is right for us 
 now." As he slowly turned around he felt 
 
 ■ 
 
 
 * \ 
 
332 
 
 The Short Line War 
 
 iri 
 
 m 
 
 a mist come over his eyes and he was not 
 ashamed. Jim stopped and stood looking at 
 nim. Harvey aslced simply, _ 
 
 " ^^" you spare me over Sunday ? " 
 
 " ^°"'d better go to-morrow." 
 
 " But the work ? " 
 
 "I don't want to hear about that," — Jim's 
 vo,ce was gruff, -"you take the morning 
 tram. Don't come back till you're ready " 
 
 Their eyes met in embarrassed silence, then 
 Harvey sat at the table and wrote a few words. 
 Will you have your man send that to- 
 night.' he asked, handing it to Jim "It's 
 a telegram." 
 
 Jim took it, slowly folded it, and put it into 
 his pocket. He reached for his coat, and 
 Harvey helped him put it on. Several times 
 Jim started to speak, but it was not until one 
 s-love v.as on and his hat in his hand that he 
 got It out : — 
 
 " I'll tell you. West, I _ A man learns some- 
 
 hmg from experience, one way or another. 
 
 Ive known what such things are- I know 
 
 what It means to love a woman, and to try 
 
 to live without her." He suddenly gripped 
 
 Harvev s hanH hnM,'t,rr ,v i 
 
 - " -—"o '■'■ iv/i a momeni with 
 
The Surrender 
 
 333 
 
 he was not 
 1 looking at 
 
 M 
 
 It," ^ Jim's 
 le morning 
 
 ready." 
 ilence, then 
 few words, 
 i that to- 
 Fim. "It's 
 
 put it into 
 coat, and 
 
 eral times 
 until one 
 
 id that he 
 
 irns some- 
 another. 
 I know 
 id to try 
 ' gripped 
 lent with 
 
 a silent, nervous pressure, and Harvey felt the 
 perspiration on his palm. " I made a mistake, 
 West, and I've paid for it — I'm paying for it 
 now. If I hadn't — If I had made it right, he 
 would have been — you would have — " The 
 words seemed to choke him, and with a strange 
 expression he loosened his grip and started 
 toward the door. Halfway he turned. As he 
 stood there, ?;.*!' 'art yet humble, a new pathos 
 crept into -iis feat', res. " West, a man doesn't 
 get much in this v orld if he waits for things 
 to straighten lemselves out. Good night." 
 
 Before Harvey could recover from a certain 
 awkwardness, Jim had gone. He could hear 
 the heavy tread on the stairs. Then came the 
 slam of a carriage door, and he knew that Jim 
 was going back to the big, empty house. 
 
 The next morning, Friday, Harvey took the 
 early train for Truesdale. He picked up a 
 carriage at the station and drove rapidly out 
 to Porter's home. From the porte-cochere he 
 hastened to the door, rang the bell, and asked 
 for her. In the wide hall he stood, coat still 
 buttoned, hat in hand, looking eagerly up the 
 stairway. In a moment she appeared (he could 
 not know that she had been watching for him), 
 
 1:1 
 
 ei ■'I 
 
 i 
 
111 
 
 h 
 
 
 Kk- 
 
 I; 
 
 1 
 
 334 
 
 T/ie Short Line War 
 
 coming slowly down the stairs, not hesitating, 
 but holding back with a touch of the old dig' 
 nity. For the moment her beauty, her strong 
 womanhood, gave Harvey a sense of awe, and 
 he stood looking up at her, not knowing that 
 his eyes told the story. And then, as she 
 stayed on the lower step, a quiet assertiveness 
 came over him, and he stepped forward. 
 
 "Katherine," he said, and extended both 
 hands. 
 
 She still hesitated, looking at him with eyes 
 that seemed to question, to read his as if search- 
 ing for something she feared might not be 
 there; then she took the last step and stood 
 before him. 
 
 "Katherine," he repeated, but stopped again, 
 for now her eyes were shining on him with a 
 look that thrilled and exalted him, and with 
 sudden joy in his heart he drew her to him. 
 
 1-^ii 
 
t hesitating, 
 the old dig- 
 , her strong 
 of awe, and 
 lowing that 
 len, as she 
 
 ssertiveness 
 ard. 
 
 inded both 
 
 1 with eyes 
 
 Ls if search- 
 
 fht not be 
 
 and stood 
 
 >ped again, 
 ^im with a 
 and with 
 3 him. 
 
V ■(« 
 
 11,' 
 
 1 *' 
 
 I 
 
 ■ - & 
 
 t 
 
 
 1 1 
 
 •mmM 
 
 1 
 
 
 i 
 
 1 
 
 
 1 
 
 
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