The Emmett index. [volume] (Emmett, Idaho) 1893-1925, 1901-04-19
JN1O
ARWIN, from San FRANCISCO,

ton where the eastbound flyer had
drawn up to await the passing of the
flyer going west. 1t was barely dawn.
The dampness of the night was still up
on the sweet prairie air and he threw
back his broad shoulders, breathing
deeply-once, twice, thrice, before the
headlight of the coming train appeared
like a star upon the horizon. Then he
walked rapidly back and forth, intent
upon getting as many of the kinks out
of his travel-stiffened legs as possible
before his train continued on its flight
TO the east.
Exercise without definite object" he
told himself, quoting from something
he had read while at school, lis worse
than non at all. Ergo, have an object.
1 do. l walk down on one side Of this
train and back on the other, my object
being to-er-walk down on one side
and back on the other"
There were faces in the windows of
the coaches, and he glanced up at them
curiously, wondering what nature Of
beings they were that they did not get
out into the air and kick a bit while
they had the chance. He reached the
end Of the train still wondering. Then
his attention was attracted otherwise.
A young woman was sitting within
the netting of the rear platform. She
was sitting on a camp stool, and she
was quite alone. Marvin grasped one
of the platform irons and looked at her
in bewildered establishment for a full
minute. She flushed to the roots of her
hair, and her glance fell. Marvin
spoke, lifting his hat.
Good morning, Miss Dartlln," he
said.
why Mr.. Marvin The young
woman arose hastily from the camp
stool and held her hand toward him. Il
thought it looked like you, but it didn't
seem possible. Where in the world did
you drop from?'
San Francisco" said Marvin, sim
ply. He noted with some interest that
the young woman's eyes were full of
reproach, and that her was con
strained. Il am on my way to New
York" he added, after a short interval;
AZ AAoA . ~ nv gN0Aos
And 1 am going to San Francisco
said the young woman How strange
How long are you expecting to
stay?' asked Marvin.
81 don't really know. l had arranged
to remain indefinitely, but circum-
stances may-in fact, are quite likely
to-alter my plans materially. Are you
20 hn u, NTou~ Xnrl- n nrraaf u~hfInr1
1T is impossible for me to say.
had hoped to transact my business in
very short time, but one can never tel
until one finds out, you know. The per
son l was going to see may be-er-Out
of town or something, and have reg
istered a VOW not to return without g
definite statement from her-his OWL
lips"
He looked at his watch and stepped
to the side of the platform, ~glancins
n~ervously toward the station.
You see" he continued, lit is really
a most important matter. l undertook
the commission only under protest, be
cause it is II involving several eX
tremely delicate considerations, and
am not good at such things. l am
natural blunderer. You know that wei
enough"
The young woman lowered her eye
again. Yes" said she, II hav.
known you to blunder."
Marvin climbed over the railing AM
seated himself upon the platform step
at her feet. 1t was an impulse char
acteristic Of him, and the young woman
smiled as if pleased.
1--WE won't talk business any more,
said he. Business is an abominatior
1 want you to tell me a little-just a lii
tle-about yourself. You are nOt-er-
married yet?'
The young woman WINGED, but he di
not notice it.
"Of course, you aren't" he went o
recklessly, "or you wouldn't be sittin
out here at this time in the morning
alone. What have you been doing sine
that night, hundreds of years ago, whe
YOU and l last metY'
Nothing worth mentioning, l b,
lieve,'' replied the young woman. q"
have laughed a little and wept a grea
deal. l have been sick, and have bee
restored to something which bears
close resemblance to my normal cond
ton of health. although it is not reall
the same. l am taking this trip with
definite purpose; the doctor thought
might make me feel better"
did he recommend Californian asl
ed Marvin quickly.
mo, he merely recommended
change Of air and scene. 1 chose Cal
fornia of my own accord"
aWhv 2" Marwin's tone was eager IN