The Weiser signal. [volume] (Weiser, Idaho) 1890-1904, 1902-12-24

ana TO allow girl sea'eu
at one of the car windows
q better view of the snow covered
landscape and the little patchwork or
houses about the station. Then 1t lum-
bered off again. The new passenger
took a seat beside the girl, ut the WIN
dow because it was the only vacant
one. She continued to gaze at the
white fields for time.
"Merry Christmas! What a mock
eryv she thought bitterly. Then she
stole a glance at her new companion.
His face was hidden by the newspaper
he was holding close to his eyes In
vain struggle to read by the fast FAD
ing light. When he threw 1t down In
disgust, she leaned forward and asked
timidly:
"May l look at it a moment? want
to see If there is any later news about
the Pochunk bank robbery"
He handed her the paper and watch
ed her curiously as she bent over 1t
and with eagerness read the first page.
did you find out what you wanted
to know" he asked when she handed
the paper back to him.
'No, for there Is no trace or the
thieves or the money yeti! she an-
swered, with q great deal of feeling.
!, "Did you have any money in the
: bank?" he asked after pause.
= "Every cent that own In the world!
!, she answered. lifting her handkerchle'
to her eyes and bursting into tears.
81 am sorry" The man spoke will
an embarrassment that seemed out O
harmony with his rough features. Sh
wiped her eyes and with little al
tempt at bravery said:
ooh, l know ought not to dothis-an
Of course you do not understand. VINE
the doctors ordered papa out here, n
put $4,000 in that bank, and after-h
died-it was all l had. Now 1t is gon
and l, oh, l am so helpless! And heI
IT is Christmas time" She wept afres
and the man moved uneasily IN
seat, lifted his paper and turned II
leaves nervously.
In n few minutes she dried her ey,
and leaned YEARLY against the ba(
Of her seat. She had not slept for tv
nights, and soon her eyes closed u
consciously, and she sank heavi
against the straight, uncomfortab
side of the car. With sudden lure
Of the train she swayed to the rigf
then back again, and finally fell In
little unconscious heap upon the stroI
shoulder Of her companion. He look'
helplessly, hesitatingly. at her m
ment, then, quietly moving in his ses
slipped off his coat. made 1t into
heap and left 1t beneath her head. III
light from above family outlined b
delicately shaped face against Il
black coat her small white hand WI
thrown In chldilSe trustfulness abo'
the glistening masses Of golden hair
Bending quickly over the sleepil
girl he fumbed a few seconds WI
the coat under her head, then Ore
back and pulling his hat over his ey
peered from under the wide brim In
the darkness outside Several shr
whistles came from under the G
window, lantern flashed up al
there was a muttered oath. AS Il
car moved Off he ran wildly down {
aisle.
The noise of the engine tncreas
| and the girl opened her eyes. .
looked up into the face of the mi
standing over her and started Cou
| ne be the same? Was she dreamin
| Surely her seat mate did not wear
mustache yet these seemed to be {
| same piercing black eyes. the sar
broad shoulders
She stared stupidity and Thought I
mustache must be vagary. Inen
| eyes fell on the coat under her ne
and she faltered:
| .sThank you SO much for putting
| there. hope you haven't come
| your station"
| The man smiled knowingly
| miss. he has passed his station :
} for some reason he left bis coat