Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1891-10-15
CHAPTER XII.

BY the time Ellie Tower and Perry
Wynans, accompanied by the motherly
Mrs. Rankle, were well out of Chicago,
their souls had become Joined in the ten
derest respect and affection.
"HoW odd it seems, Mr.. Wynans," the
former could not help saying, ~for me to
be going on such a long journey with
you'll"
@But not so odd as pleasant-for me,
at least" was the reply. II hope that
the journey upon which we have entered
will last as long as we live"
Elites face grew more intense in its
coloring, glad, tender light appearing
in her soulful eyes
q hope so, too" she said, simply.
The silence which succeeded was so
full of happiness that it lasted many
minutes, during which the train con-
tinued to roll onward.
@And all this time we forget that Jerry
Skidder is on this same train with us, =
at length murmured Ellie
"And also his daughter" suggested
Mrs. Rankle.
GNot to speak Of Hiram Skidder and
his two hopefuls," remarked Perry, with
a smile of content How very little we
care for them.
%Perhaps the two brothers will make
up their differences before the night is
ended" pursued Ellie Il dare say they
forces against US"
ain any case, we need not give them a
thought" said Perry. Fortunately they
are not in the same car with US, and if
they were we could remain in the state
room.
He reflected few moments intently.
and then resumed:
a told you about Colonel Whipsaw,
didn't how kind he was to me during
my visit to the Musselshell, although I
didn't give him any very definite idea OF
my business in that quarter Well,
must send the Colonel few lines by tel
egraph before our arrival, and it will be
well to also tell our mining expert, Char
lie Baker, that we shall soon be with
him. Charley is one Of my old school
mates, with whom / have always re-
manned more or less closely associated,
and 1 am sure you will be pleased to
make his personal acquaintance.
We need not linger upon their journey
TO St Paul, nor upon the longer one be
tween St Paul and their destina alton.
Let it suffice to say that the lovers and
Mrs Rankle remained the most Of the
time in the seclusion of their own state
room, and they did not so much as catch
a glimpse Of the Skidders during the
whole trip Westward
At about l o'clock in the morning on
the fourth day after leaving Chicago,
the little party alighted from the train
at Custer.
@It's an awkward hour for ones ar
rival, remarked Perry, with a glance at
the covered sky, as he drew Elites arm
within his own on reaching the ground;
~and there is a still more awkward de
before US. I wonder il there will be
hack in waiting at such an unseasona-
Bile hour2"
Carriage, sir?s said a man, who came
hurrying up to the couple with dull
burning lantern
~Yes, {" replied Perry; ~where is it?"
~Yonder, sir.
The man not only pointed out the We
hicle but led the way toward It
THAT will answer said Perry,
after a glance at the carriage. this
way, Mrs Rankle."
He fastened TO assist his companions
into the vehicle, and then sprang in
lightly himself, shutting the door.
where to, sir?" asked the driver.
@In tell you that later, after we have
crossed the river answered Perry.
@Shall we be able to ferry across at this
hour of the night2"
Certainly, or at any other hour, so
long as yon are wiling to pay well for
the service"
@Drive on, then, ordered Perry
sour first step is TO cross the Yellow
stone at the Junction
The driver looked the party over q
moment, with an air of suppressed
fubllanco and excitement and thea
mounted brlsklY p bis box and dro4e