The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1904-02-04
WHERE
JOURNEYS
END
CRfTTENDEN MARRIOTT
CRfTTENDEN MARRIOTT
Copyright, 1903, by T. C.. Mcclure

O)~~~N~-~>~
As the train came to stop Howard
Monroe glanced out Of the window Of
the Pullman. 'Twenty-four hours
more" be murmured. "Well, It can't
be helped. By George, that's pretty
girl! Nice old lady with her too. Hope
they'll come In here"
Next moment his hopes were real
lied, as the two women entered the
car, guided by an obseQuious porter,
who deposited dress suit case and an
umbrella in the section opposite. "Be
here about ten minutes, ma'am," he
said in answer to q question from the
elder; "got to cut in some sleepers and
q diner"
Thank you. Better sit down, Aunt
Bessie"
But the elder woman shook her head
II do wish you had some one to go
with you, Dorothy she exclaimed in
tones Howard could not help overhear-
ing. II can't bear to have you 60
alone. Your uncle never would have
let you If he hadn't been sick in bed.
You're sure you don't mindr'
II don't mind the least bit In the
world, auntie. We bachelor girls have
to learn to do for ourselves"
Bachelor girls, indeed" The elder
lady shifted, while Howard felt an un-
accountable thrill Of pleasure pass
through him. "Old maids we used to
call them. A girls girl, DO matter
what she says, and don't like to see
one travelling alone. It wasn't consid-
cred proper in my young days."
II know" returned the girl softly.
But travelling has changed 80 since
then. even down in this dear little out
Of the way corner OF the south. why,
what could harm meT
''Oh, nothing. I suppose, but don't
like It. You wouldn't even take a
lunch with you" she added irrelevant
E, her hospitable southern heart ag-
grisved. ut seems so inhospitable to
send any one away without something
to eat"
you're awfu,ly good, Aunt Bessie;
but indeed, It wasn't worth while. III
get dinner and breakfast in the dining
car and be in New York for lunch"
A sudden changing made the elder
woman start. "Gradousr' she e1-
claimed. "rn be carried OF! Goodby,
Dorothy. Write as soon as you set to
New York. III be anxious til hear"
The two hurried to the platform.
where the girl stood smiling and wav-
ing unn the train was well under way.
So we'll under way was It, indeed, that
as she turned to enter the car sud
den lurch threw her violently to one
side and made her grasp the rail to
steady herself. As she did 80 her
purse, hung to her belt by chain,
few open and sent most Of it's contents
at large through the yet unelosed doors
Of the vesubule.
Unaware Of this, however, Miss Yer
non walked to her seat, glancing around
her Just in time to see Howard watch
ing her. Both were thinking Of the
good lady's anxious hospitality. and
before they could recover themselves
they had smiled squarely into one an
others eyes.
With quickly sdfened lips Dorothy
sank into her seat. As she did 80 her
purse swung forward into her lap, ex-
posing its emptiness to her startled
gaze. With gasp Of dismay she SELL
ed and examined it her ticket was
safe in an inner compartment, but ev-
cry cent Of her money was gone.
It did not take her long to decide ON
the moment Of her loss nor the hope
lessness OF repairing it Miss Vernon
was very Independent young woman
who on more than one occasion in the
four years that had elapsed since she
had begun to earn her own bread had
seen her funds depleted nearly to the
vanishing point, yet never before had
she found herself entirely penniless.
There was nothing to be done, how
ever. To telegraph to Aunt Bessie tor
money would be to frighten that Lady
almost to death, and there was no one
else on whom she felt at liberty to call.
She must simply resolve to make the
best Of her journey, all twenty-four
hours of It, without money.
Meanwhile Howard had been watch
ing the girl out Of the corner Of his
eye, admiring her more every moment.
He had noted the look Of vexation that
froze the smile with which she had un-
Intentionally favored him and had
promptly averted his eyes, as If In
hopes that the girls wrath might glance
off his broad shoulders. Thus, turned
away, he had missed seeing her discov-
cry Of her open purse and her conse-
quent CONSERVATION. When he had ven
tured to look again, she was staring
straight ahead Of her with what SEEM
ed to him q most inscrutable express
sion. In reality she was thinking Of the
,n~ .h oor ebo bo6 roP,coJ on6 ron6op.