The Bossier banner., 1904-03-17
The Last Days of
Sumner
Copyright, 1905. By Daily Story Pub. Co.,
By FRANCIS A. wILDMAN

Copyright. 1905. By Daily Story Pub. Coz
MIS- KIMBALL struggled to the out
IyI skirts of the crowd that thronged
the Chicago station, and drew breath
of relief. She had travelled a day and a
night. and supposed that the further
she got from the eastern summer resorts
the fewer excursionists she would en-
but here was the worst jam OF
ALL
A sudden recollection of the conven-
ton then being held in the city explained
it, With little foresight she might
have saved herself this discomfort by
waiting week later, but-there was
nothing to do now but wedge her way
through, station herself near the gate,
and wait for the outgoing western train.
The time was when her whole nervous
system would have tingled with dread
Of the crowd and fear of missing her
train, or not boarding the right one; but
that was before she had turned the last
corner toward the old maid goal and had
learned to depend upon herself. Her
friends had ceased prophesying her mar
riage several years since, even abandon
ing the roles of match makers, and con-
tented themselves now with wondering
why she had not married one Of the pre-
vious eligibles.
When the train was called and the
gates opened. she was among the first
to slip through to the network of tracks
in the enclosure and make her way be-
tween the putting, snorting engines.
Where is the parlor carr" she de-
manded of an official, standing near her
train.
This is only section-no parlor car
on" he answered. A glance back at
the crowded depot determined her to
take her chances in the common coach
But small part of her journey remained
to her anyway. Seats were at q pre-
MUM, but she fortunately secured one
next an open window.
A moment later, in response to thin,
high-pitched inquiry as to whether the
other half of her seat were reserved, she
removed her bag and made room for her
fellow traveller.
From his evident agitation, he was
not globe trotter. His difficulty in the
satisfactory bestowal of a paper bundle
which he carried, distracted Miss Kim
ball from her speculations as to the con-
ditions and destinations of the hurrying,
object-driven crowd that was passing
her window to fill the waiting trains,
the wheels Of whose coaches were being
tested and engines oiled preparatory to
their run. The engines beckoned with
their great arms and occasionally hissed
a warning that the time was nearly up.
From the unsolved problems outside,
Miss Kimball turned to the fidgety lit
tie conundrnm sharing her seat.
A face strangely devoid of any attrac-
ton confronted her; wrinkled skin,
one eye too bleared for healthful con-
dition. the other quite blind, cheeks and
lips sunken over jaws minus teeth with
the exception of three or four discolored
fangs; his whole bearing one of helpless
His hair and thin mustache
were of a dusty gray. His ill-fitting
clothes hung upon his lank limbs in an
apologetic manner. The only thing in
his makeup denoting positive charac-
teristic was flaming red tie set of with
white polka dots.
Miss Kimballs fashionably clad
shoulders could scarcely repress a shud-
der at the last named article of his attire.
Even he is not without vanity or he
would not wear that thing" she thought
"A terrible lot Of people in the city
to-day" he ventured, TREMENDOUSLY upon
her eye.
A feeling Of pity welled up in her
heart for the timid old man, and she
responded with a nod and smile that
would not have been vouchsafed to a
Fifth avenue club man under similar cir
cumstances.
The smile was all the encouragement
he needed to wax garrulous as the train
glided out of the dismal station.
"The city's all right for them fellows
that haven't got nothing to do but look
out for the cars and automobiles and
things, but wouldn't live there if you'd
give me one of them 20vstory buildings" ;"
he lisped through the vacancies left by
his teeth. I'm thankful to get away
with my life
''It is fortunate you were not hurt;
the city streets arc certainly confus-
ing" Miss Kimball interrupted, speak
ing for the first time. Then she pur-
chased a paper and buried herself in it.
But the "helplessly timid" man was
fairly launched, and would not take the
hint. He insisted upon explaining his
business in Chicago, till she grew quite
desperate. and told him politely that she
was too tired to converse.
Immediately he was all solicitude.
Il have stimulant in my pocket,
miss; if you'll hold up your paper, I'll
give you some" he volunteered.
She shrank further into her corner.
He might mean we'll, but it was most an
noying.
I don't wish a stimulant: all need
is quiet and rest, she replied, with scant
courtesy.
The rejoinder silenced him for time.
When the conductor took her ticket.
Miss Kimball inquired when the train
was due at Kelsey. " neglected to get