The Courier. (Genoa, Nev.) 1899-1904, 1901-05-03
MMG(g5 MEETING (QE FLYERS
N07 ARWIN, from San Francisco,
INl stepped from the Pullman to

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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 star upon the horizon. Then he
walked rapidly back and forth, intent
upon getting as many of the kinks out
of his trayel-ssiffened 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, ''is worse
than none at all. Ergo, have an object.
/ do. 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 astonishment for a full
minute. She flushed to the roots of her
hair. and her glance fell. Marvin
spoke, lifting his hat.
"Good morning. Miss Dartlin," he
said.
"Why, Mr.. Marwin" The young
woman arose hastily from the camp
stool and held her hand toward him. IL
thought II looked like you, but 1t 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 manner was con-
strained. Il am on my way to New
York." he added, after a short interval;
'my first visit In three years."
"And am going to San Francisco"
said the young woman. "How strange"
How long are you expecting to
stay?" asked Marvin.
II don't really know. had arranged
to remain indefinitely, but circum-
stances may-in fact, are quite likely
to-alter my plans materially. Are you
to be In New York great while?"
"It 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 I was going to see may be-er-out
Of town or something and l have reg
istered VOW not to return without
definite statement from her-his own
lips"
He looked at his watch and stepped
to the side Of the platform, glancing
nervously toward the station.
You see," he continued, st is really
most important matter. l undertook
the commission only under protest, be-
cause 1t is one involving several ex-
tremely delicate considerations, and |
am not good at such things. l am a
natural blunderer. You know that we'll
enough"
The young woman lowered her eyes
again. "Yes," said she, IL have
known you to blunder.'
Marvin climbed over the railing and
seated himself upon the platform steps
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 abomination.
want you to tell me httle-just lit
married YETI"
The young woman WINGED, but he did
not notice It.
"Of course, you aren't" he went on
recklessly, "or you wouldn't be sitting
out here at this time In the morning
alone. What have you been doing since
that night, hundreds of years ago, when
you and last metz"
Nothing worth mentioning, be-
lieve," replied the young woman. ~
have laughed little and wept a great
deal. l have been sick, and have been
restored to something which bears
close resemblance to my normal condi-
ton of health, although 1t is not really
the same. am taking this trip with
definite purpose; the doctor thought 1t
might make me feel better"
did he recommend Californian" ask
ed Marvin quickly.
mo, he merely recommended a
change Of air and scene. chose Cali
fornia of my own accord"
"Whyw Marwin's tone was eager and
his hand clutched the platform Iron,
convulsively.
"Because-because wished to see
California"
"Marion" raised his eyes
suddenly to hers. and there was sup
plication In them-"tell me all about it.
We may az well understand each other.