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1
—TrHAPPY
DAYS‘
ii
_ Cheek and Chance.
(Continued from page 8.)
“Shut up, Jimmie Hicks. There ain't
no school to-da
. ndy was wringing the water from his
' _ soaked shirt and trousers, The selectman
approached him with a stern expression
and a critical glan
What's this? hes sked, sharply. “Did
you fall into the w:
*I took a dive trom oe bridge,” replied
Andy, modest!
“You mus C enjoy wetting your clothes
in that fashion. the way, where did
you cross the town line?"
Andy looked uP. in surprise, .
“Eb?” he ask :
you came to this bridge? Or rather where
did you come fro
“From down, ‘the: road !" replied Andy,
indicating the direction, ‘I think Orono
is the name of the town I left"
“ ph ut thoughtso. Is your name Dunn?”
The interrogating official consulted a slip
of paper in his hand. Then he said au-
thoritatively : :
on your coat ahd hat and come
along with me.
money could not understand what all this
me Who are you, sir?” he ask
“Tam selectman of Greendale,” replied
the other. “This warning word was sent
me from the selectmen of Orono that one
Andy Dunn, a suspicious character, whose
pal was arrested there for murder, was
entering our town by this highway. You
know the law with regard to tramps. It
is my duty to keep you under surveillance
until you have left, or have made satisfac-
tory ia is my of 5 your v isit.”
“T Ss my affair, sir,” replied Andy,
am no criminal or tram
“ Thati is what they all say,” » replied Se-
lectman Davis witha cynical smile. “ You
come along with me. A night in the lock-
up will cool your temper.”
ndy’s face burned with anger ‘and
shame, Tears of humiliation stood in his
eyes. Itseemed to him that this was a bit
“ofrank injustice, What had he done that
he should be marked on the highway asa
gran’
Bas the saw that resistance would make
matters worse. So put on his shoes,
_ Coat and hat and entered the buggy with
Selectman Davis,
Presently the spires and roofs of Green-
dale came into view. -was taken to
the selectman’s room at the town hall,
Here before the honorable board of town
officers he was allowed to tell his story:
so without reservation. They
“Tshenea qeith interest,
s to me, Da’ avis,” ” said one white:
is lad has a
d tells a ‘straightforward
It can’ e be his fault that the other
mag ras a murderer,”
Tag with you, if what he tells me is
the truth, ” replied Davis, ‘Iam loath to
hold him, save for the protection of our
Tense I don't wish to exceed ,my duty.
el ‘1 -
pose to f oF 0, Dunn, what do you pro
ooking for a chance,” replied
ange shall take the first which comes
(Are you willing to work?”
I will work at anything that is honest,”
replied Andy,
wet you any money "
«How much?
Almost one hundred dollars.”
The white-bearded selectman whistled.
b That disposes of the vagrant theory,”
be declared. “We have no legal right to
i old this man, We have no proof that he
'$ not a law-abiding citizen,”
“Wait,” said Davis, quietly, “we will
. give hima chance, Dunn, I want. aman
et all work on my village place. Will you
‘ake the position? a wages are one dol-
will take it, sir,” said Andy, readily.
“ AL at , +
_ can fn i Beep it "un until such time as
the do words had barely, ‘left his lips when
loor not the selectman’s room opened
‘A and & man stepped in. He glanced at
ndy ‘and at the selectmen eagerly.
lis entrance was not an intrusion, He
as James fobbs, the town clerk, who
had ¢ enfieme
¢ lemen," “Te exclaimed, “is this the
man D whom the Orono authorities
a ivised us to be on the lookout for?”
. It is,” r replied Davis,
“Then you, Davis, owe hima debt which
you cannot easily repay.
. u What a fe mean a asked Davis. i
: rean 2.
. F) his brave a eis an ange in disgu si
tle son, whom he saved from drowning at
the Black Swimming Hole this very day.”
Al
“Tn what direction were you going when } Ani
I bis min
“You were wet, I remember,” he said.
“Some boys were swimming there, but I
did not see my Is this true? Then,
sir, all the hard suspicions against you are
retracted, and you shall discover that you
have fallen among frien friends,’
CHAPTER Vv.
THE TRAIN WRECKERS,
eeee could not be induced to speak of
he rescue, save in a modest way, But
Hoobs ad the story in detail from the
oys and related it. The revulsion of feel-
ing, ton tower the young outcast was swift
an
“e Saved s my little Eddie’s life, did you?”
cried Davis, ‘ Well, I reckon I owe you
many apologies for my treatment of you,
dy. An orphan are you, and without
friends? Not from this moment, my lad.
T'll_be to you like your own father, You
are all right now in Greendale, Come with
‘The others all shook bands with Andy,
and congratulated him on his pluck. But
e young outcast could not see that he
was i deserving, of such raise,
onl thought was my
uty." he said, modestly. “That was all.
“T§ was so much that I can never re
ou,” cried Davis, “* You shall come to ine
homie with me. Do not refuse, Remem-
ber Jou are in my charge.’
Andy did not demur, He was quite
happy at this sudden turn in his favor, and
was not slow to take advantage of it.
He remembered that one of his watch-
words was “cheek,” so he resolved to
profit by it.
The home of the Davises was one of the
finest in Greendale,- Long sloping lawns
lay in front of a beautiful, colonial house,
Besides Mr. Davis, the family consisted of
Mrs, Davis, her rdanghter Belle, and Eddie,
the rescue
‘The latter had been put to bed, for the
fright had given him a bit of a nervous
shock. When Mr, Davis reached the
house with And they met Mrs. Davis at
the door. It Gid not take long to get ac-
quainted, and Andy found that Mrs. Davis
and her pretty daughter Belle were exceed-
ingly pleasant and, hospitabl
Tt seemed as if the Davis family could
not do enough for Andy t ow him
their gratitude. Belle regarded him shyly,
and Andy thought her very charming, but
was reserved in manner, as he remembered
his boyish pledge to Nellie Spencer far
away in New York's wretched slums,
Mrs; Davis was good and motherly, and
treated him toa surfeit Pot delicious goose-
berry pie and jam. Fora week Andy re-
mained an honored guest at the home of
electman Davis.
Soe any hint conveyed to him by the
members Of the family Me might have re-
mained there forever. But this was not
in keeping with Andy's purpose, Hlis visit
became of full du ration to suit his plans
when the week was
ead ie had become. Soeply smitten with
our mg wanderer, and listened with
rapt interest to Andy's stories of street
jife in New York. ‘The country boy ever
feels a fangination for the glamour of city
Eddie was no exception.
eee “he end of the week therefore, Andy
arose from the breakfast table and an-
nounced his intention of bidding his new
found friends good-by. Mr. Davis looked
gf
‘T thought you
amon; s t03
nad eave ona us otyous ‘hospitality as
long as I feel that I quae,” replied Andy,
politely. “ Besides, I have many plans to
carry out, and time slips rapidly by, per-
haps losing m me my opportunity.’
ve guaranteed you good em-
ployment, 4 Andy, Can you do any better
than stay with us
Andy dolored Sahtly as he saw an ap:
pealing, swift glance from Belle, This
was his secret, Ile felt that it would not
be safe for him to remain in Greendale.
d to atl
ned.
te of Mr, Davis’ entreaties and
sialic bade farewell to his friends,
and s forth once more in search of his
for'
“e q alwa s feel a deep interest in
at ‘hall al smd M. Mr, Davis, warmly, in
part ve ‘ett me hear from you when
youcan, and when you wanta friend come
to me.
“ k you very kindl, ” replied Andy.
+ Tap atntnoe forgevyour k ciidness. WhenI
have woa success. in life you will hear
neh rai you intend to go from
eWhither chance takes, me,” replied
. “That is my mo! .
olay chance bring you happiness and
na turned deadly pale. He stared at
honest shh was Mr, Davis’ part-
ing
Belle and her mother shook his hand in
parting. But Eddie could not be found
“He feels very bad to have you go, and
could not trust himself to say farewell,”
apologized his mother, And with this
farewell Andy was off.
n
8s he had Teaid, the young outcast had
no definite idea as to where his footsteps
might take him, Again he refrained from
travel on the cars, and took the country
highway, setting forth at random.
As Greendale soon faded from view be-
hind him, anda ie” country began to un-
fold- itself, ni became absorbed in
thoughts ot the future, and was oblivious
a
ail he bee been on his guard, and occasion-
ally taken the pains to giance
shoulder, he might have discovered the
fact that he was followed persistently by
askulking figure, The fact was destined
to prove of great importance later on.
‘or miles Andy trudged on over the
country highw: The day was charming
and the scenery Seautiful. He heeded not
fatigue or dus'
on he paused at a country house,
and purchased for a few pennies, of the
farmer's wife, some huckleberry pie,
doughnuts and a creamy milk.
This refreshed him for the afternoon.
He did not push along very rapidly. At
times he loitered. The unfolding of a new
scene sometimes brought him to a halt.
The heat at other times drove him to the
shade of a wide spreading oak. Thus the
ay wore on,
When nightfall came he had reached the
junction of several roads, One of these
dled three miles further
toa small town called. Dobson, ‘There he
decided to find lodgings for the night,
Three miles was not a great distance,
but the darkness shut down very quickly
and de densely, It was so intense as almost to
a
The oad here led almost parallel ith
a railroad. Suddenly down is
through the gloom came the ware Of a
white headlight. A moment later a train
went thundering ye
ly half wished he was yon it, for he
was tired and hungry. But h @ pushed on
ashort distance only to be brought toa
halt by something which gave him a bit of | cries.
It was a lonely locality. The light of no
dwelling was insight. Just ahead, through
an avenue of forest the road rose to the
crown of a little hill. On this outlined
against the sky he saw dark figures mov-
ing, Andy came toa halt.
was not a coward, nor did he appre-
Yet he knew that
e sum of money with
him, and the fark figures might be those of
honest men o:
“Humph!” "chought the young outcast,
to wil nd out first what is going on up
ile ‘shrunk into the shadows by the road-
side and waited. Presently the figures
began to advance down the hill, Four
men, with mufiled features, passed almost
near enough for him to touc! They w
in hoarse whisper:
snatches of their conversation,
and the blood was chilled in his veins.
yer watch is right, Jim?”
iev 's ther ten-
st
=
thirty express jest gone by.
“In course l’m sure,” growled another.
“ ‘We ve forty-five minutes ye:
“Thet's time enough, Who's got ther
track jack
“Tes hyarall right, All we need todo
is toset thet railaleetle out of the bed
plate, and yew kin bet you'll find pieces of
Pret ten- thirty express a mile along ther
car
rac
“Ther swag is in ther second baggage
rt ‘as. ”
“Allright, See no mistake is made.”
Instinctively Andy found himself follow-
All was revealed to him
like a printed book, They were a gang of
His whole being was on fire. A thousand
terrific possibilities flashed through his
brain, He pictured the onrushing train, he
saw the interior of the cars, the scores of
passengers rushing unawares to death—
the awful picture almost wrung a loud
shout of protest from his lips. The im-
ulse was upon to run, to shout for
feip, to do anything to avert the awful
catas|
He S trenbied like one with theague. A
cold sweat was upon him, and yet he
seemed Fig as What should or could
he dot
four powerful m
tance to the nearest habitation and succor
seemed beyond call, All depended upon
is wit alone—upon his one weak body,
scores of lives—human lives.
But only for a moment was Andy weak.
Then he became conscious of only one re-
solve, one purpose, and this was to save
thetrain. Atany cost it must be done,
He stood ready to give his life,
He crept nearer tothe train wreckers like
ashadow, He hung upon their heels and
listened to every word uttered, An awful
over his | ¢!
fascination drew him on, Ie could not
have turned back, and yet he knew not
just how to thwart the murderers,
Thus they turned intoa footpath. The
branches interlaced above and the dark-
also being followe
even as he follow red the train wrecker:
He & paused | and listened, but adjudged it
a false alari
By this time they had come out up
the gandy embankment by. the railragd
ra
Here the men followed the rails. Andy
crept along after them.
stream was heard just ahead, Then the
clank of the tools and the wrenching of
he rail. It was their purpose to throw
the train from the trestle.
Andy heard them at their work, Then
his pian was made,
He crept ¢ down to the edge of the stream:
let. It w ot deep but wide, He easil
and silently Waded Tt He ran on along
the track for a distance beyond. Then he
ezgan Vv .
Beside the track was a hea)
sleepers, always good fuel. In the woods
were leaves and twigs, Andy brought all
these out, and heaped them on the track.
He made a great pile, and then crouched
down beside the rail listening for the dis-
tant roar of the train. Should his signal
blaze up at the right moment, and the en-
of decayed
would be saved,
suddenly a ebill fell upon Andy,
Hasty Footsteps came along the trac
Mufiied exclamations ensued, and a lan
tern glare flashed 4 BP He was discovered.
or a momen ny -hew rot what to
do. Ilis chagrin was yond description,
But he was despe:
ng a easy. “cudgel he faced the
train, wreckers, determined to give his life
in defense of the beacon, which was to
save so many human lives,
CHAPTER VI.
A THRILLING SURPRISE,
T was true that the train wreckers had
discovered Andy, Down the track they
came, with low curses and murderous
i
“Who is it?”
powrertal grasp is his |
They handled him roughly, and flashed
the lantern in his fac
are ye, and’ what are ye doin’
ere?” was the rough query.
Andy flashed a determined glance into
the dark faces lowering over him and r
er rT ‘m Andy Dunn.”
“You are, eh ri growled thesleader of
tee res ruifians, ‘Are ye alone? Tell the
rut:
“ry refuse to tell,” declared Andy,
A blow across the face hurt him ‘cruelly,
but he would not contess. The
wreckers were fierce and a
me, Jim, settle his’ hash for him,”
roared one of t o time is going fast,
n’ there's work fer us I
me Ye're right !” rowed another,
“Mebbe the little carote has sent a
friend or pal for help. What shall we do
with him anyway?” :
“It's a case of self-defense. There's but
one way, Throttle in r
on want ther
g him down to ther trestle there,”
Andy. Fxas earried quickly along the
track, Outery or resistance was useless,
lis sensations were of a fearful sort.
could see no es death. It
was an awful forbidding, outlook, Many
and varied were the thoughts which
crossed his mind, Alas, that his attempt
should have been a failure.
ut not for a moment b dia his nerve
desert hm. <A daring subterfuge had
suggested itself to him. Perhaps cheek
would w ‘in the chance for him.
“T di dn t put obstructions enough on
the track to wreck the train,” he whim-
ered, “*I just wanted to see the loco-
motive 2. through that heap of- wood,
Honor bright, I didn’t mean it, misters.”
“What's thatf exclaimed one of the
ruffians, “W. or yew putting that trash on
the, track to see the locomotive run over
“Of course I was,” whined Andy,
me Re this time, ¢ and I won't doit again,”
and e@ began to bi
train wae were silent a mo-
mene Then one of them. “dropped his hold
on Andy and said:
“It's a reg iat boy's trick! Haw, haw!
He's bound to be one of us one of these
days.’ Mebbe he's a pal. I say, did ye read
how tew dew thet in a dime novel? A
reg’ ‘lar Jesse James, ain't
‘lw was,” spi eal Andy. “Td
never ‘have leb you kids stopped me. But
I didn't bave a gun wi
This tickled the raians, and they roared
gineer gould not fail to heed’ it, the train ~
“Tet