The Goodland republic. [volume] (Goodland, Kan.) 1891-1907, 1892-06-03


soldiers dingy cap covered the brown
curls above his pale forehead. His
history can be told in few words.
lust released from prison--wounded--
> ck-furloughed-and going home.
Government had provi led him with a
pass to New York, but this he had been
so unfortunate as to lose in Baltimore,
and OF course he had no money. This
smart young official did not credit q
word of his story, however. He had
seen too many humbugs of that kind
to be taken in easily, as he confidently
informed an acquaintance near by, but
in tone loud enoughfor the soldier to
hear distinctly.
Ralph Moreton's cheek flushed, but
he was silent
"Orders are positive, SIR" said the
man OF authority. "You must either
pay your fare or we will put you off at
the next stopping-place."
Every well, SIR" returned Moreton,
quietly, though an involuntary SILVER
ran over his bloodless frame as he
glanced through the window at the
storm of binding sleet without
Conductor, said young girl of IA
or Is, with a school satchel of books on
her arm. what is that about putting
somebody OFF,
She was occupying the next seat be-
hind Moreton, and had heard something
of the conversation between him and
the conductor.
The latter touched his hat to her
deferentially. Evidently he knew who
she was.
Beg your pardon, Miss Vanderwort,
but here is fellow pretending to be a
soldier and he says he has lost his
pass, and has no money to pay his fare
And I'm under the necessity of putting
him off,
you're under no such necessity at
ALL" said the young lady, imperiously
How much is the fare?"
-Four dollars"
The bright eyes of the girl took in
with half-saucY, Multiplying glance
the thin face turned toward her, and
then she took out of her pocket a
dainty little gold-clasped port-mon-
naie, and drew forth crisp new bank
note. Leaning over, she touched
Ralph Moreton on the shoulder.
DCO nAs DOldlCIs odlu BIG,
Papa gave me this money to buy a
lace collar. l can do with it as please.
l am going to give it to you to pay your
way homeland So"
"Gleuwoodv sung out the conductor
and before Moreton could utter word
OF thanks the girl had gone out with
the crowd. But the $40. bill was in his
hand, and the touch of her breath yet
fragrant on his cheek.
The young soldiers cheek crimsoned
at thought of the child's frank kind.
ness, and he would have given a great
deal if he could have kept the identica,
note as a souvenir, but that eagle-eyed
conductor was waiting to make the
change.
Really" said he, "quite an episode!
Lucky for you, my man, for the storm
is fearful"
Moreton made no reply. He took his
change in silence, but his trembling
hands dropped some of it on the floor,
and in STOPPING to pick it up he saw
knot of pink ribbon which had fallen
from the young lady's hair. He had
noticed it among the glossy braids, and
thought how lovely was the contrast
between it and the beautiful curling
chestnut hair which had defed braid
and pin to keep it quite in place.
He bounced upon the bit of ribbon
eagerly, and hid it in the breNst rocket
of his shabby overcoat. He might
never see her bright young face again,
but at all events he had something
which had been hers
Then he pulled his cap over his face,
and sunk back in his corner, and spoke
to no one until the train rushed into
the bustling depot at the end of his
journey.
His lady mother and his sister Rosa
&;sS there to meet him, and he was
R and caressed, and pitied, and
X until he almost felt himself a
M again, and not bearded
3 from the wars.
Zen, seated by his own luxuri-
'e, Ralph Moreton told the