Rosebud County news. [volume] (Forsyth, Mont.) 1901-1906, 1902-02-20
Carrie
The Telegraph Girl
= * IS 4,
A ROMANCE OF THE CHEROKEE STRIP. ,
& * X
By Captain Jack Crawford
(Continued.)
THE POET SCOUT"

lN~~~~~>~~>~~
(Continued.)
She was going away, that was a
blessed consolation; going to a busy
eMce where she would have no time
to wire chats. I could endure her for
. few hours; and although I would
have resented from any one the impu-
tatfon that I was a liar, assured her
! would be delighted to have her come,
and would endeavor to make her brief
visit pleasant one.
When the freight from the south
whistled that afternoon, I had nerved
myself for few hours Of torture. The
caboose stopped away down in the
yard, and as stood on the platform re-
necting on what martyr I was going
to make Of myself, I 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
th& y, l stood and stared in
- -<.>.'Sxement. A neat, stylish lit
tie Nsure clad in grey, a jaunty hat,
from benee>h which the prettiest i'm
aginable brown curls fell in clustering
beauty above the prettiest face 1
thought had ever seen. She was
faughins merrily at some remark from
Ter escort, and the air seemed filled
with ripping music. AS he assembled
the platform steps to where / stood
tfanshxed and dumb with amazement,
she gave me but one glance of her
merry blue eyes, and was about to pass
on into the Office 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 mo with q look OF
unutterable surprise, and had a mirror
oeen thrust in front Of me, would no
oouot have seen reelected an express
sion OF equal amazement. For a mo-
mont she stood glancing first at my
seir 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 f1bber. Tom
armstrong! If I ever get within reach
OF him again I'll pull every hair out of
MS 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. I was
actually afraid of you'll"
/ TN kill him on sight" cried. re-
taining the pretty hand which rested
IN mine. "He led me to believe Won
an aged widow with two children. and
q face that would set my teeth on
edge when you should present it before
me, and that you had temper which
q puzz saw could not scratch. How
ever, IN the glad awakening from that
n1deous dream I almost feel that can
forgive him, and as the frightful old
widow no longer confronts me, permit
me to bid you hearty welcome to
your old home. trust you may en-
Joy the few hours you are to remain
mere. You have the freedom of the
office; and of the great city,"
THANK you. It 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
on her hat and throwing it on the ia
ble(. How many lonely DAYS and
nights spent here, fearing each rattle
of the window by the wind might no
. tramp or prowling Indian, and ev-
cry sound from the outside at night
might come from the dreaded Dalton
gang, lying in wait to rob a train. Nav
I look in my old room?"
Certainly"
Same cherries place. Yes. more
cherries, for really, Mr.. Saunders. YOU
do not keep it so neat as did. When
did you sweep it last?"
She glanced into my face with An
arch look and smilingly awaited nv
reply.
Il think it was one day last week. OF
was it week before? It was the dav
the superintendent came over the road
on 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 freight-room
such only in name, for no goods save
section mems supplies had ever been
stored therein. From the freight-room
q ladder led up to the loft between
the ceilings Of the Office and sleeping