The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1899-07-13

than eighteen, the other he judged was
her mother. Her expression, and he
considered himself pretty good Judge,
indicated kindness itself. Proceeding
to the dining room, where everything
was in readiness, he endeavored to do
justice to the "menu," but try as he
might, the face of the young girl on the
platform haunted him. In the hope of
seeing her once more he hurriedly made
his way to the cashiers desk, paid his
score, only to find, on gaining the plat
form, that she had disappeared. He
lounged about, keeping out of sight of
his shlpmates, until the cry of all
aboard! from the conductor compelled
him to fly with the majority. He made
his way to the smoker, and, after finish
ing weed, proceeded to the sleeper.
which had been assigned to them.
Imagine his surprise on entering, to see
a game of whist in progress, and one Of
the players none other than the young
lady, whose appearance had so strange
ly attracted him at the station just left
behind. He glanced around for her
companion, but she was not in sight.
Il wonder how Studley managed to
make her acquaintance" he muttered
"Reeves ought to know, I'll ask him."
So saying, he sought the latter. who
was listlessly turning the pages of
novel, only to find that Reeves knew
no more than himself. There was onlv
one way to settle the matter, and that
was to persuade Studley to resign in his
favor. With that end in view he pro-
ceeded to act. He readily secured
Reeves as and ally and explained mat
tiers to the latters satisfaction. Reeves
was to go to the smoker with him, and
after remaining there some twenty
minutes or so, Edwards was to return
with the information that Reeves would
like to see Studley on an important
matter in the smoker. Studley was
loathe to leave such comfortable quar-.
ters, but Edwards kindly offered to
play his hand, providing his fair par.
tner had no objections, until his return.
According Studley excused himself and
went to seek his friend.
Three or four rubbers were played,
before the game broke up. AS yet Ed
wards was in ignorance of his late
partners name, in fact all the players
seemed strangers to each other; such
things are common on long journeys,
together both on land and sea. People
have met on trip across the continent
for the first time and have proved fast
friends for life.
But to proceed. The game had bro.
ken up and Edwards found himself on
the opposite seat facing his fair friend.
Having been an unusually warm day,
he thought he could safely comment on
the weather. This led to a mutual in
PRODUCTION. He learned that Miss
Knight resided at Los Angeles, that she
was on a visit to relatives in Alabama.
The conclusions he had drawn when he
first beheld her, were verified. 1t was
her mother he had seen with her, when
he alighted at the depot. She had &C.
companied her daughter to the station
aud saw her safely aboard the train.
Nothing of Importance occurred until
El Paso was reached, at which place a
sixteen hour stOp-Over was announced:
a bridge on the other side of Alpine
having been totally destroyed by fire.
A trip to JuareZ, Mexico, just across
the river, was suggested, and Miss
Knight and Edwards were of the party.
They boarded the little bobtail car,
drawn by solitary mule, and after
what seemed an age, arrived at their
destination. A visit to the old Cathe.
dral, a stroll through the old-fashioned
streets and squares, in one of which the
party were surprised to see games of
chance of all descriptions carried on;
the players being OF all ages and of both
sexes. Returning to Ell Paso, Edwards,
after seeing Miss Knight safely to her
coach, started out to view the town
Having strolled around for upwards of
an hour, he was about to retrace his
steps, when, in turning corner, whom
should he see but Miss knight and