Hutchinson gazette. [volume] (Hutchinson, Kan.) 1895-1902, 1898-07-21

( Carrie
The Telegraph Girl
xR y
AAOMANoE or THE CHEROKEE STRIP.
y y 4
BY Captain Jack Crawford
THE POET SCOUT"
(contlnued.)
THE POET SCOUT"

ouo was kulHb AWAY tnuJ Whb
blessed consolation; going to a busy
ONCE where she would have no time
10 wire chats. l could endure her for
few hours; and although l would
have resented from any one the impu-
tation that l was liar, assured her
would bo delighted to have her come,
and would endeavor to make her brief
visit a pleasant one.
When the freight from the south
whistled that afternoon, had nerved
myself for few hours of torture. The
cRbooHe stopped away down In the
yard, and an stood on the platform re-
iecting on what martyr was going
to make OF myself, ! saw the conductor
assist my visitor to the ground, and
start with her along the side OF the
train towards the depot, A call from
the instrument drew me inside, and
when / came out again they were near
tho platform. stood and stared In
blank amazement, A neat, stylish lit
tie figure clad In grey a jaunty hat,
from beneath which the prettlest i'm
aginable brown curls fell In clustering
beauty above the prettlest face l
thought ] had ever seen. She was
laughing merrily at some remark from
her escort, and the air seemed filled
with ripping music. As he assembled
the platform steps to where l stood
transfixed and dumb with amazement,
she gave me but one glance OF her
merry blue eyes, and was about 10 pass
on into the ONCE when the conductor
said:
"A moment, Miss Rankin. Let me
introduce Mr., Saunders, the agent here.
Fred, this is Miss Carrie Rankin, late
OF Edmond"
She started at me with a look OF
unutterable surprise, and had mirror
been thrust In front Of me, l would no
doubt have seen reflected an expires,
sion OF equal amazement. For q mo-
ment she stood glancing first at my
SELF and then at the conductor, and
then peal OF merry laughter rang out
from her pouting lips, and extending
her hand she said:
"oh, that monstrous fibber, Tom
Armstrong! If ever get within reach
OF him again III pull every hair out of
his head! Why, he told me you were
an old man, Mr. Saunders, and-and-
that you were humpbacked, and had
lost one Of your limbs in a railway ac-
cident some years ago. He pictured
you such fright that hesitated long
before deciding to come here. was
actually afraid Of you'll"
"I'll kill him on sight!' / cried, re-
taining the pretty hand which rested
In mine. HE led me to believe you
an aged widow with two children, and
a face that would set my teeth on
edge when you should present 1t before
me, and that you had temper which
a buzz saw could not scratch, How
ever, In the glad awakening from that
hideous dream l almost feel that can
forgive him, and as the frightful old
widow no longer confronts me, permit
me to bid you a hearty welcome to
your old home. trust you may en-
Joy the few hours you are to remain
here You have the freedom of the
office; and of the great CITY,"
Thank you. 1t is very good OF you,
and since my humpbacked ogre has
limped away on his one leg, will en-
ter his den with no fear. How drear-
lily natural the old place looks" (taking
OF her hat and throwing 1t on the ia
ble). How many lonely days and
nights / spent here, fearing each rattle
Of the window by the wind might be
tramp or a prowling Indian, and ev-
cry sound from the outside at night
might come from the dreaded Dalton
gang, lying in wait to rob train. May
look in my old room?"
Certainly"
Same cherries place. Yes, more
cheerless, for really, Mr. Saunders, you
do not keep 1t so neat as did. When
did you sweep 1t last?"
She glanced into my face with an
arch look and smilingly awaited my
reply,
II think 1t was one day last week, oil
was It week before? 1t was the day
the superintendent came over the roat
on a special The sprucing up OF de-
pots by agents--male agents, that is
is always regulated by official visits
you know"
We passed on into the frelght-room
such only in name, for no goods saw
section mems supplies had ever beer
stored therein. From the freight-roon
, a ladder led up to the loft between
the ceilings Of the Office and sleeping
room and the roof, and, pointing NJ
at the dust-covered rafters, my fai
, visitor said:
, II had dreadful time up there on
day. The insulated copper wires from
the instruments run up through the OF
fce ceiling, you know, and conne0
. with the line out under the caves o
the depot. cut out my instrument
for heavy thunderstorm, and when
cut II again after the storm had pass
= cd, I found the wire open on both side
y of me. Fearing the trouble was In m
l. y A.-. 4. aIo.o aaaroh for AZ anf