Morgan County democrat. (Versailles, Mo.) 1900-1906, 1903-07-31

her lovely face. then putting her head
back upon the chnir. she pressed her
handkerchief go her eyes and began
to cry.
Such pity rose up in my heart rs |
bad never felt before in my life. This
poor child. SO pretty, SO timid, alone
and helpless at the very outset of her
journey. II was really awful, and /
was for offering her my services at
cncc. But, no, that would never do.
About the best thing II man can do
for "a stranded young oma is to let
her alone. She was probably upset
enough without having a strange
man address her. So | just sat and
my eyes.
Was it possible. ! began to ask my
self. that her companion had played
her false? Had he purposcly delayed
h checking of her trunk, or had the
train really started without him? His
appearance was certainly against
him: but, Of course. as | knew moth
ing whatever of their circumstances
or relationship, it was hard for me
to come to any conclusions. However
] am afraid I did not give "Charlic"
the benefit of the doubt.
The poor little blonde held the
handkerchief to her eyes with shak-
ing fingers until the conductor came
in. His cry of '~Tickcts!" caused her
to take il down. and she looked up at
him with the most woc-begone coun-
tenancc | have ever bcheld.
"Your ticket, Madam" he said un
fc~elingl.y. as he stopped ovcr her.
'Oh, | haven't any. | haven't any"
rhe began. looking at him bcsccch
ingly. MY cousin took it to get my
trunk checked, and the tain started
without HIM"
The conductor was a brute. lie
heard her fearful story without Il
spark Of sympathy, and then re
marked cooIly: "Thc rules of this
road require passengers either to
hand mp their tickets or get of and
and walk"
"But what am | to do?' She cried
hclplcsslv; II haven't any money, at
least only forty cents in my bag, and
! simply must get to Wichita to-
night"
"Tlat won't 90 down." returned the
impudcnt rascal; "You'll pay your
fare or you'll get off"
This was more than human mature
could stand, and with my blood boil
ing | rose up in my wrath and said:
"This lady has told YOU precisely the
truth. | myself Witnessed the whole
thing. / saw the gentleman take the
ticket"
The ace that turned to me was
swce:rr than an Angels. The tears
stood in the beautiful eyes. and n
high color had risen in the poor little
white cheeks.
"Oh, thank you, Sir. Thank you!'
she cried; 'i,ow good of YOU to come
t. my a~ssistancr."
"lou must allow me to actually
come to your assistance" ! answered,
drawing a roll of bills from my
pocket and S%ubtracting the fare
from Kansas City to Wichita.
"Oh, you are too good She cX-
claimed, drawing back; but, really, !
couldn't
Il cannot talk" NO for an answer
| returned firmly: II insist upon do
ing this for you, MadHm."
She bIushcd ever 50 swrctly, and a.
soon II, the locring wretch of "A con
ductor passed On, She began thanking
me in the most charming way
possible.
such a dreadful thing never hap
p"ncd me bciDrc,' she began, with 4;
little lisp thai wa, too fascinating foi
words. II have never been anywhcr,
alone in my life. ! am 20, but being
an only child, papa treats me as il
] were but ten. He cannot rcaliz,
that / am a woman," Here She drew
herself up and assumed an immcns,
amount Of dignity for so small q
person.
! was perfectly carried away.
The long journey, the cycr-ioltinl
cars, the dcnrth of beauty among
the passengers, and then this brigh'
appari,ion were quite as dazzling tt
me as the first ray of sunlight to thu
man who has dwclt in caves. She wa
a most cn,icing little creature, an'
the more ! gnzcd the more ! realized
it. Her complexion was pure pinl
and white, and the simplicity of hel
dress only added to her charms.
'Do you know" she said frankly
after she had told me about being
20 and never having travelled alone
II feel as if you are an old friend
But" she went on, her eyes brighten
ing and smiles playing about he
mouth, 'if you are not an old friend
you certainly are a good one. why