Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1903-08-28

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man address her. So 1 just sat and
watched her with my heart in my
my eyes.
Was it possible, began to ask my
self, that her companion had played
Der false? Had he purposely delayed
the 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.
I am afraid I did not give Charlie"
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 ''Tickets!" caused her
to take it down, and she looked up at
him with the most woe-begone coun-
tenance have ever beheld.
"Your ticket, Madam!" he said IN
feelingly, rs he stopped over her.
"Oh, haven't any! haven't any!"
she began, looking at him beseech-
ingly. "My cousin took it to get my
trunk checked, and the train started
without him!'
The conductor was brute. He
heard her fearful story without a
spark of sympathy, and then re-
marked coolly: 1.-THE rules of this
road require passengers either to
hand up their tickets or get off and
and walk"
"But what am to do?" she cried
helplessly; 81 haven't any money, at
least only forty cents in my bag, and
L simply must get to Wichita to-
night"
''That won't go down." returnedthe
impudent rascal; you'll pay your
fare or you'll get off,"
This was more than human nature
could stand, and with my blood boil
ing rose up in my wrath and said:
''This lady has told you precisely the
truth! I myself witnessed the whole
thing! I saw the gentleman take the
ticket"
The face that turned to me was
sweeter than an angels. The tears
stood in the beautiful eyes, and
high color had risen in the poor little
white cheeks.
ooh, thank you, Sir! Thank you'll"
she cried; show good of you to come
to my assistance!"
'You must allow me to actually
come to your assistance!" answered,
drawing a roll of bills from my
pocket and subtracting the fare
from Kansas City to Wichita.
ooh, you are too good!" she ex-
claimed, drawing back; "but, really,
couldn't
81 cannot take no for an answer"
L returned firmly: 81 insist upon do
ing this for you, Madam"
She blushed ever so sweetly, and as
soon as the leering wretch of a con-
ductor passed on, she began thanking
me in the most charming way
possible.
''Such a dreadful thing never hap
pened me BEFORE" she began, with
little lisp that was too fascinating for
words. 81 have never been anywhere
alone in my life. I am 20, but being
an only child. papa treats me as If
l were but ten. He cannot realize
that I am woman!" Here she drew
amount of dignity for so small
person.
1 was perfectly carried away.
The long journey, the ever-jolting
| cars, the dearth of beauty among
the passengers, and then this bright
apparition were quite as dazzling to
me as the first ray of sunlight to the
| man who has dwelt in caves. She was
a most enticing little creature, and
the more L gazed the more I realized
it. Her complexion was pure pink
| and white, and the simplicity of her
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,
81 feel as if you are an old friend.
But" she went on, her eyes brighten
ing and smiles playing about her
mouth, eff you are not an old friend,
you certainly are a good one! Why.
truly, 1 am not under such obligations
to any one else in the world"
| I begged her not to mention it.
Then she went on again: you
really must tell me your name-it
| isn't proper for me to ask, is it!-be-
cause just as soon as I get to Wichita
1 want to return the money you have
| loaned me-
| handed her my card, and she read
| aloud:
''Mr. Shirley Hall. Why, what a
pretty name! 1t is quite romantic,
isn't it? Shirley is like the names
| you read in novels, and Hall is nice,
| too!''
| "You are very kind,'' said, feeling
tremendously fiattered.
81 suppose I ought to tell you my
| name in return, so you will know
| whom the money comes from?" she
| asked with her head on the side
| "By all meanSi" / answered with