The pioneer press. (Miller, Hand County, S.D.) 1893-190?, 1902-02-13
Carrie
The Telegraph Girl
X y *
a aonascr OF THE CHEROKEE STRIP.
BY Captain Jack Crawford
THE POET SCOUT"
(continued.l
The POET SCOUT"


blessed consolation; going to busy
Office where she would have no time
To wire chats. could endure her for
few hours; and although | would
have resented from any one the impu-
tation that l was a liar, assured her
would be delighted to have her come
and would endeavor 10 make her brief
visit pleasant one
When the freight from the south
whistled that afternoon, / had nerved
myself for a few hours OF torture. The
caboose stopped away down i'm the
yard, and as | stood on the platform re-
necting on what martyr | was going
10 make OF myself, 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
the platform. stood and stared in
blank amazement. A neat. stylish lit
Gle figure clad in grey, a jaunty hat
from beneath which the prettiest i'm
aginable brown curls fell in clustering
beauty above the prettiest face
thought / had ever seen. She was
laughing merrily at some remark from
her escort, and the air seemed filed
with ripping music. As he assembled
the platform steps to where / stood
transfixed 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 me with look of
unutterable surprise, and had a mirror
been thrust in front of me, / would no
doubt have seen reflected an express
sion OF equal amazement. For a mo-
ment she stood glancing first at my
self and then at the conductor and
then peal OF merry laughter rang out
from her pouting lips, ana extending
her hand she said
"Oh, that monst-ous fibber. Tom
Armstrong; II ever get within reach
OF him again I'll pull every hair out of
his 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 railway ac-
cident some years ago He pictured
you such fright that hesitated long
before deciding to come here. was
actually afraid of you!"
I'm kill him on sight" I cried. re-
tanning the pretty hand which rested
in mine. "He led me to believe Won
an aged widow with two children. and
n face that would set my teeth on
edge when you should present II before
me, and that you had a temper which
n buzz saw could not scratch How
ever, in the glad awakening from that
hideous dream almost feel that | can
forgive him, and as the frightful old
widow no longer confronts me. permit
me to bid you a hearty welcome to
your old home. l trust you may en-
JOY the few hours you are to remain
here. You have the freedom of the
Office; and of the great city"
Thank you. II is very good OF you,
and since my humpbacked ogre has
aimped away on his one leg, will en-
Ter his den with no fear. How drear-
sly natural the old place looks" (taking
of her hat and throwing it on the Ia
ble). How many lonely days and
nights l spent here, fearing each rattle
aof the window by the wind might be
n 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. May
] look in my old room?"
Certainly"
4 Same cherries place. Yes, more
Icheerless. for really, Mr.. Saunders, you
do not keep il SO neat as did wher
did you sweep 1t last?"
She glanced into my face with an
arch look and smilingly awaited my
reply.
II think II was one day last week or
was it week before? Il was the day
ahe superintendent came over the road
,on a special. The sprueing up of de-
pots by agents male agents. that is
rs always regulated. by official visits,
pou know"
We passed on into the frelght-room,
such onlg in name, for no goods save
section mems supplies had ever beer
stored therein. From the freight-room
n ladder led up to the loft between
ahe ceilings OF the Office and sleeping
groom and the roof, and. pointing UP
at the dust-eovered rafters, my fair
visitor said:
Il had a dreadful time up there on
day. The insulated copper wires fror
the instruments run up through the OF