Arizona republican., 1898-02-28
(Continued From Yesterday)

And there at the rear door she hoy cred until the clouds of choking dust drove her within. It was the mems end of the car, and fragrant cigar smoke was drifting from the room in which her husband and his cronies were play ing whist. If only the long car were turned end for end. If only she could get her bag and reach the women's toil- et-room unobserved. Let him, and his and that girl-see her looking as she was now?-not for worlds! Get to that toi!et-room and wash away the grime and dust and cinders, get out her alco- nol lamp and curl that rebellious, striugy front" and brink and powder and retouch those faded lashes and brows-all this she must do before fac ing him and her. But how to get there without being seen. She must pass them so close as almost to touch his shoulder No! A furtive peep from behind the brown curtain into the dim interior revealed the broad gray shoul- ders bent far over to the girls end of the seat. He was leaning over her, looking down into her eyes, talking earnestly to her. There was no comfort in the sight. It stung her to instant acticu. They we.e running swiftly dowA grade noy following the wind ings of the San leo, >but she made rush for her sectid grabbed the hand some silver-mounteSe that lay just within reach, and witR& ed head and bent form was rhasteninX on, when the forward trucks struck a Sharp curve, the big car gave a sudden iurch that tum bled her into the section directly in front of the blissful couple. and sprawled her ignominiously upon the front seat. The occupant of the other was a snoring commercial traveller. Her bag dropped in the crash, fell to the floor. and burst open. and before she could recover herself or it's contents, the man in gray had sprung to her aid. had bundled an escaping scent-fask and other trifles back into the recepta- ale, shut its silver lips with snap, Erd, lowing courteously, endeavored to restore it. Averting her face-cov- ering it almost with her handkerchief she strove to rise and go her way, but the car still swayed and swung. He put forth a helping hand to lift her to her feet, but she did not see it. Scrambling out, still hiding her face, she seized again her satchel. and, never looking. never speaking. hurried past him and disappeared at the forward end of the ear. leaving Merriam gazing blankly, fxedly after her.
 -Didn't she speak to you at all?" -sEed the bride, a moment later, as -+, H. eu his face, returned to his seat by her ride "Tm afraid she's dreadfully hurt, for her knee struck the seat-arm ever So hard
 And still Merriam could not speak.
 -What is it. Randy?" she whispered, afces a moments anxious study of his face -fYou Icols so-unlil:e yourself"
 With an effort lie pulled himself to- sether. "Did you see her face, Floy, dear? What was she like?"
 why, she's a blonde with only got 2 glimpse, RaEdy-she's a blonde with light hair ard blue eyes. She might he pretty. Why, dear?". And the dear aame so timidly.
 T thought had seen her before, 5st it's mpossible-absurd. Go on and .F1t- HlC WASt MI ,. NlcItOu WiOte yOu, sweetheart. Never mind the capsized blGrde just now.''
 s It he himself could mind" no one else when. half an hour later, there saru6 tripping down the aisle from the gadies' toilet-room slender, graceful, styHshIy y-draped figure with such a kadiantIy-pretty girl-woman face-a Erir sweet blonde, with lovely curling hair, the brightest of big blue eyes, the Eusiest of tiny mouths, with glimpses Of snow-white teeth as she smilingly ap- preached and, with infinite grace, held out a prettily gloved hand.
 -To think that I should have been Here in time to tender my congratula- tions! Won't you. present me to Mrs. Merriam?
 And Randolph Merriam, for once in his life, was utterly at loss what to gay or do. He could hardly speak. He sould hardly breathe. '.Floy,'' he final \ said-and his tone was strange and aold-''this is Mrs. McLane, of New York, an acquaintance" then turned away as Mrs. McLane effusively. delightedly bent over that she might shake hands with the bride.
 It was early evening-too early for twilight effects, yet the shadows were falling thick on Florence Merriam's wedding-day before the setting of the glowing sun.
 CHAPTER III.