The St. Johns herald., 1901-05-25
Nm ARWIN, from San Francisco,
 ImI stepped from the Pullman to

the platform of the small sta
 ton where the eaStbound flyer hal
 drawn up to await the passing of tn
 flyer going west. It was barely dawn
 The dampness of the night was still up
 on the sweet prairie air and he threw
 back his broad shoulders, breathin;
 deeply-Once, twice, thrice, before th'
 headlight of the coming train appeared like star upon the horizon. Then h'
 walked rapidly back and forth, inten upon getting as many of the kinks ou
 of his travel-stiffened legs as possible i before his train continued on its figh
 to the east
 Exercise without definite object" ht
 old himself, quoting from something
 1e had read while at school, lis worse
 than none at alI Ergo, have an object
 do. 1 walk down on one side of this train and back on the other, my object being to-er-walk down on one side
 md back on the other"
 There were faces in the windows of
 he coaches, and he glanced up at them
 :uriously, wondering what nature of
 beings they were that they did not get put into the air and kick a bit while
 hey had the chance. He reached the
 md of the train still wondering. Then
 lis 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 >f the platform irons and looked at her m bewildered astonishment for a full minute. She flushed to the roots of her lair, and her glance fell. Marvin spoke, lifting his hat
 Good morning, Miss Dartlin," he said
 Why, MT. Marvin" The young woman arose hastily from the camp stool and held her hand toward him. 'I
 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 he young woman's eyes were full of -eprOach, and that her manner was con- strained. T am on my way to New York" he added, after a short interval; "my first visit in three years"
 And 1 am going to San Francisco" |aid the young woman. "How strange"
 ''HOw long are you expecting to stayY asked Marvin.
 'I don't really know. I had arranged to remain indefinitely, but circum- stances may-in fact, are quite likely to-alter my plans materially. Are you 70 be in New York great while?"
 Tt is impossible for me to say. had hoped to transact my business in very short time, but one can never tell 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 vow not to return without a definite statement from her-his own ips."
 He looked at his watch and stepped to the side of the platform, glancing nervOusly toward the station.
 You see," he continued, it is really B most important natter I undertook the commission only under protest, be- cause it is one involving several ex- delicate considerations, and am not good at such things. 1 am a natural blunderer. You know that we'll enough"
 The young woman lowered her eyes again. "Yes," said she, TT have known you to blunder."
 Marvin climbed over the railing and seated himself upon the platform steps 1t her feet. It was. an impulse char lcteristic of him, and the young woman smiled as if pleased.
 "We won't talk business any more," said he. Business is an abominatiOn. want you to tell me a little-juSt a lit le-about yourself. You are not-er- married yet?"
 The young woman winced, but he did | lot notice it.
 "Of course, you aren't he went on eckleSSly, "Or you wouldn't be sitting | ut here at this time in the morning lone. What have you been doing since | hat night, hundreds of years ago, when | 'ou and last metz"
 "Nothing worth mentioning. I be- | ieve," replied the young woman. "I lave laughed little and wept a great | Ieal. 1 have been sick, and have been | estOred to something which bears a lose resemblance to my normal condi- ion of health, although it is not really he same. l am taking this trip with a leinite purpose; the doctor thought it night make me feel better"
 Did he recommend Californian" ask d Marvin quickly.
 No, he merely recommended a hange of air and scene. chose Cali ornia of my own accord"
 Why" Marwin's tone was eager and is hand clutched the platform iron 
 "Because-because 1 wished to see 'alifornia."
 "MariOn'-Marvin raised his eyes to hers, and there was sup licatiOn in them-"tell me all about it. Ve may as we'll understand each other. Ve are to part in a little while. Per aps we will not see each other again yer"
 About what?"
 About your tears. Why did you -eep? You were not much given to -eeping once upon a time About your ckness, you used to be as the trees nd the birds and the winds of the rairie. About your determination to isit California. Was it-was it be