Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1890-08-20


As there was no excuse for further
delay, he raised his hat and made
room." being dimly aware that the lady
who had quietly taken the seat had .
neatly curved figure. He was even con-
scious that the outer garment fitted it
like glove.
She seemed so unobtrusively sweet
that he had an inclination to see her
face. but before gratifying himself he
recalled his former aversion and opened
the novel.
He stared at the picture inside, then
closed it suddenly, and fairly flung it
into his lap
''What an imbecile I shall soon be-"
he thought.
But the lady next him had started at
his move.
II beg your pardon! Did brighten
you?" he asked.
+ The lady inclined her head slightly,
said: mot at ALL" in the softest and
sweetest of voices, and then drew back,
seemingly as disinclined for conversa-
ton as he had imagined himself to be.
This, If it affected him at all, rather
nettled him, and presently he glanced
at her vailed face.
Surely she was pretty. Why did she
wear vail? To annoy him, no doubt.
He looked again.
In moment he hit upon method Of
raising the vail.
Would you not like to look over this
magazine%"
And he offered it with great polite
| ness.
THANK you, sir, but have it," said
she, indicating copy neatly rolled in
her shawl-straps
What stupidity!
He ground his teeth, and turned to
the window, regarding the passing fields
of swaying grain with a dissatisfied
look, as it the color was faulty, or the
| tint of the intervening atmosphere was
not satisfactory.
On one thing he was resolved, and
that was not to cast another glance at
this intruding, perverse specimen of
femininity.
At that moment the conductor stopped
and told the lady that Elm Junction
was six minutes away.
Elm Junction. Why, he was to stop
there! What a condolences! And he re-
membered with positive glee the loneli-
ness of the station.
The train slowed up, the conductor
possessed himself of the lady's shawl
straps, and she and they were both on
the platform in twinkling, very near
an odd, ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS indi-
vidual who carried his hands in his
! pockets.
The train moved on, and feeling her
loneliness, she was half inclined to jump
| on and take her chances, when, turning,
she beheld Will.
She looked the other way, only to see
the end of the train disappearing
around a curve and the odd man pass
across the tracks into corn-feld, then
| back at the station, with wooden bench
before.
She went inside, but instantly reap
peared, as nobody was there. She gazed
up and and down the road that crossed
the tracks near by, and not a soul was in
sight
After moment she sat down on the
bench, but soon walked to the edge of
the platform.
Still no one in sight save the gentle
! man who had arrived with her, and she
| again established herself on the bench.
SIS there any thing can do for you?"
he asked, kindly, having relented
little.
| Nothing that know or" she an
swered, glancing apprehensively over
| her shoulder. ut is rather a deserted
place, is it not? Are you certain it is
| Elm Junction."
Eyes, there is the name, you see.
And, besides, know, as I've been here
BEFORE" answered Will, slightly enjoy
ing her dependence.
''Oh. I'm so gladr' said she.
| ''That have been here before?"
| 'How absurd!'
And they both laughed heartily, after
which she felt quite at ease, and moved
to one end of the bench, while he took
the proffered seat.
eff may assist you in any way, pray
command me-" he said.
| II expected an uncle to meet me
here" she explained; ''but he is late,
or has forgotten me-
II am waiting over one train. A bust
mass acquaintance is to meet me here
for few moments, and I have plenty
of time in which to serve you"
II see nothing to do but wait. Oh,
there is man over in that lot-the one
that was here when we came"
Will looked, then crossed the tracks,
and, standing on fence-rail, hallooed
to the man, who was busily hoeing corn.
After the second sh TOUT the man looked
leisurely around, and having located
him, leaned composedly on his hoe-han-
die. 1t was the man who had disap-
peared.
lis the station agent about?" asked
Will
''Ya-as," was answered, composedly.
''Can you tell me where he is?'