The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1890-07-16

OJSos JUL y Al10W WY i Ofo1tti6C
of Eric now; perhaps it was because
he was the only person l knew in
Texas besides the family; but I did
dream of him very wildly. thought ]
had arrived at Santana, and found him
on the platform instead of Addison. He
looked very much older than he used tc
do, his face haggard and worn.
He did not speak to me, but, taking
my hand, Led me away until we were out
of sight of the station, and then lifted
me Hnto a horse, which had appeared
from !. don't know where, and we were
galloPing away at tremendous pace. ]
begged him to let me go. but he shook
his head and spurreeon fastsr. began
to feel cold and queer, as If he were
made OF ice and were freezing me.
All ct once he stopped with a
sharp jerk, and with cry flung ne
away, and ] felt myself failing, falling as
if from sumo great height-and awoke.
The train was still. We had pulled up
at wayEiie station to water the engine,
and was shiVering with the chill air.
The dawn was at hand, and slipped out
of the train and walked briskly up and
down to warm myself, and by the time
the wants of the engine were satisfied the
sun was rising, and began to recover
my spirits.
At last short, bluff whistle from the
engine, like the bark of some giant dog,
movement among the passengers, and
a Earring sensation beneath my feet.
The goal of my desire was not far off
Now the door of the car was opened
wide, and the conductor, who had kept
away from me all the journey, came in
from the baggage van to take tickets
Mine was the last. He examined it with
unnecessary dehberation, and then de-
ivered himself of the following ominous
remark:
Now, say, why didn't We write the
colonel that yew were comin'?"
The familiarity of this address would
have Disguised me at any ordinary time,
but now l began to feel miserably
anxious.
II did WRITE" 1 replied bceathlessly.
"He will be at the station to meet me-"
He anti"
The rejoinder came as sharply as the
ping of an arrow. 1 jumped up with a
lump In my throat, and looked out of
the window.
The train had stopped and most of
the passengers were leaving it. There
was no station or depot here, only
rough platform on one side of the line,
with Santana" painted in tipsy black
letters on the rail, and a solitary log
house a few yards away with POST
office" in white letters on the door. Yet
this was undoubtedly my destination,
and the conductor was right-Addison
had not come. There were several rough,
red faced creatures lounging on the plat
form, wearing broad brimmed hats,
great riding boots and prominent spurs;
there were cur passengers disappearing
one by one into the log house in search
of breakfast, but there was no Col.
Wynne. What could have happened2 I
turned from the window with a gasp,
and met the eyes of the conductor look
ing down upon me with the grimmest
[ had ever seen.
"Well?" he said, with an exasperating
infection on that express
sive word
He cannot have received my letter."
l observed, hurriedly, trying to keep my
voice clear and steady, while the lump
in my throat grew and grew, and l
wanted to CRY very badly indeed. To
avert this catastrophe, suggested that
my belongings should be removed from
the train. The conductor instantly be-
came brisk and helpful, and we were
soon passing by the red faced men, who
drew back to give us room, and stared
with great round, stupid eyes, as if they
had never seen a girl in a gray ulster be-
fore. We went straight to the postoffice,
and were met by the postmaster before
we reached the door. He was tall,
dark man, with only one eye: dread
fully ugly man, with a very dirty face
and still dirtier hands-a wicked looking
man, l thought. The conductor greeted
him as if they were old acquaintance.
"Seen Col Wynne lately, Hank?'
"a week ago-calne for his mail"
"This is his sister"
Mr.. Hank nodded as if he were aware
of the fact, and stared very hard at me
with his one oFe.
"Is-is my brother here?' l ventured
to ask, just for something to say.
"He's at the fort, miss.
"And how far Off is thatg'
Thirty mile-bee line
Nv heart began to beat at a very IN
rate. A horrible state of
things!
Would you kindly advise me what
to do?'
Breakfast" struck in the conductor
decidedly. You've eat nothing for ten
hours"
Thank you" answered politely. Il
am hungry; but want to know how l
lm to get TO Fort Lincoln"
This question was not to be answered
at once Neither Of the men seemed 70
near it, and without further ceremony
lshered me into the house, through one
ong room full of men with a stove in
he middle Of it, liquor bar, and sew
aral small tables. TO a small room behind,
where there were heaps of blankets scat |
cred about a rough bedstead, one chair
and a table.
sit down. said the postmaster, point
ng to the chair | obeved, feeling very
,orlorn and helpless. 1t was dreadful
position 70 be In. There did not seem to /
oe a woman anywhere. l was thirty /.
niles from nv brother. with no visible I