The Short Line War | Page 9

smiled as he crossed Washington Street. A moment later 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 with 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 helpless
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 the way," said Harvey, after they had chatted for some time, "this
morning's Tribune has a good joke on one of your Truesdale neighbors.
Did you see it?"
"No. Tell me about it."
"Why, it seems that he--it was Judge Black--is up at Waupaca. He went
there in a hurry from Lake Geneva to get away from some cases that
were following him and spoiling the vacation he's been trying to get
since July. He moved so quickly that his trunk left him and went up to
Minnesota or somewhere. Well, the Judge was asked to speak at an
entertainment the first night at the hotel. An hour or so before the time
set for the speech he fell into the lake and ruined his only suit of clothes.
There wasn't a man there anywhere near his size, so he appeared before
the guests of the Grand View Hotel in the 'bus man's overalls."
Katherine laughed heartily.

"Father will enjoy that," she said. "He loves to laugh at Judge Black."
And she added, "I wonder where father is."
"Do you return to Truesdale to-day?" Harvey asked.
"No. Not until day after to-morrow. We go to the South Side to dinner,
father and I. Father told me to meet him here at half-past three."
Harvey drew out his watch.
"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 Harvey. The mention of Mr. Porter brought back to him certain
peculiar facts, and for a moment he thought fast. Evidently something
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 either night or I'd ask you to come and see me. But you are
coming down to Truesdale soon, remember."
"Yes," said Harvey. "Good-by."
He walked rapidly to the Washington Building. Jim had left no word,
and Harvey called up the Ashland Avenue residence, but could learn
nothing. 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
arrangements, in the hope of striking a clew by chance. He was
interrupted 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. "Fourteen 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. terminal station at
Manchester.
"Hello. This is Chicago. Is Mr. Weeks there?"
"Well--say, hello! Hold on, central!--Will 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 as quick as you can
and call us up. Good-by."
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