The Montgomery advertiser., 1904-01-02
THE LAST DAYS OF SUM
 MFR.

~@C - VI - " " V - - MFR.
 
 BY FRANCES 4. wILDMAN. Copyright. Isos. by Daily Story Pub. Col Mas Ktmbaii struggled to the out skirts Of the crowd that thronged the ChicaGo station. and drew breath of re- lief. She had travelled day and a night, and supposed that the further she got from the eastern summer resorts the fewer excursi0nists she would encounter; but here was the worst Jam of all, A sudden recollection of the coaven- ton then being held in the city explain ed it. With a little foresight she might have saved herself this discomfort by waiting a week later. but there was noth- ing 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 tingied 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 riRge 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 eligibies
 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 pufing snorting engines.
 Where is the parlor carr" she de- manded of an official. standing near her train.
 This is only section-no parior 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 re- mained to her anyway. Seats were at a premium. but she fortunately secured one next an open window.
 A moment later. in response to a 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 sat- isfactory bestowal of a paper bundle which he carried, distracted Miss Kim ball from her speculationsl as to the conditions and destinations of the hur- rying, object-driven crowd that was passing her window to fill the waiting trains. the wheels of whose coaches were being tested and engines oiled prepara- tory to their run. The engines beckoned | with their great arms and occasionally missed a warning that the time was nearly up. From the unsolved problems outside, Miss Kimball turned to the fidgety lit- | tie conundrum sharing her seat. | A face strangely devoid of any attrac- l ton confronted her; wrinkled skin. \ one eye too bleared for a healthful condition, the other quite blind cheeks | and lips sunken over jaws minus teeth with the exception of three or four dis colored fangs; his whole bearing one oi helpless timidty. His hair and a 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 a positive char acteristic was a flaming red tie set of with white polka dots.
 Miss Kimbaifs fashlonabiy clad shoul. ders could scarcely repress a shuddsI l 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 today" he vehtured, tremulously upor meeting her eye.
 A feeling of pity welled up in her hear for the timid old man. and she respond
  have been vouchsafed to a Fifth avenue club man under similar circumstances.
 The smile was all the encouragement he needed to wax garrulous as the trair glided out of the dismal station.
 The city's all right for them fellows that haven't got nothing to do, but IooE out for the cars and auti-mo-biles ana things, but I wouldn't live there If you'C give me one of them 20-story buildings | hn NrrY. ,1oNns loNk !, his teeth. I'm thankful to get away with my life.''
 Tt Is fortunate you were not hurt the city streets are certainly confusing. Miss Kimball interrupted, speaking fol the first time. Then she purchased 8 pa per and buried herself fin it.
 Nut the "helplessly timid' man wal fairly launched, and would not take tht hint. He insisted upon explaining hi: business in Chicago. till she grew quite desperate. and told him politely that sh, was too tired to converse.
 Immediately he was all solicitude.
 "I have etimulant in my pocket miss; if you'll hold up your paper, IT give you some" he volunteered.
 She shrank further into her corner He might mean we'll, but it was nos annoying.
 'I don't wish a stimulant;; all I neet is quiet and rest" she replied, with scan courtesy.
 The rejoinder silenced him for a time
 When the conductor took her ticket Miss Kimball inquired when the tralI was due at Kelsey. 'I neglected to ge a time table" she apologized The con ductor gave the desired information ana passed on down the aisle.
 Did you say you were going to Kel sey?" asked the talkative individual.
 "I didn't say" she retorted. severely.
 This gave him food for reflection fol several minutes, while the train steamed on across the prairie. Miss Kimban al most forgot him in watching the sun light play on the fields of waving grain
 "I know a lot of folks in Kelsey!' he announced, persistently bringing him self to her notice.
 Miss Kimball was evidently a little deaf. He repeated the statement with nc better result Presently he added the in formation that he lived at Sand-Bur Set clement. ten miles this side of Kelsey.
 Miss Kimball's hearing did not improve The train boy came through calling hi: wares.
 "Shan't get you some candy. miss?' the timid man asked.
 "No!" she answered. shortly. but 2 danger signal famed out in the angry red of her checks It was really becom the conductor. but did not see him. anC there was rot vacant seat In the car
 ITO think could have been so mistak len in him." she thought. ruefully. q should have put more stress on the tie I'll not look for the answer to conun drums again. I like them better un solved" Her soliloQuy was interrupted bS