Montour American. (Danville, Pa.) 1866-1920, 1906-05-31


stand I've beeu here three years and
you only three months, and, now it's
dull time they're going to let YOU con
troll this section while I'm away, and
then I'm 10 10 the same for you. Too
bad. though. for | thought We might
60 Of together. odd, Isn't il! ! feel
that you're the best friend I've got ia
the world about the only one. for that
matter Tor we've wired no end of per
soual gossip and ambition and our
tastes run about the same way. And
yet I've never seen YOU and don't
know whether you're short or tall lean
or Tat. a heather or y VI. &. A. or
whether your muStache l. still To-
sprOut or your white hair Is dropping
out from old age. Queer world isn't
II. hauf: But say, / believe I'll run
down and spend my vacation with you.
There's no other place | can think OF,
aud We can see how each other looks
aud talk and smoke and
There was quick, protesting click.
Don't you do IL, kefer - what Is
your name anyway. the whole Of ii?
blunt But about the vacation You
mustn't visit me now-mustnt. Why,
It's impossible II haven't the ac-
commOdation~. aud-and I'm so busy,
and
There was a call from the home Of
hce. and with a hurried explanation TO
Kaufman he dashed in an acceptance
90 Il
and answered the call, made a few
nual arrangements. then bent over 10
continue the conversation. hesitated
and swung back from the instrument.
Il won't DO IL. he chuckled "Kauf's
likely ashamed of his looks baldhead-
81 OF Fat or one eyed or something
and don't want me 10 know. I'm go
ing 10 visit him on the next train. and
I'm not going 10 give him a chance for
Auy more excuses. Ashamed, Great
Scott, Don't We like the same books
and music aud everything elset What
DO I care how the old chap loOksi He
ought 10 know nR regard rises above
such petty considerations. and | be
lieve b. thinks just as much of me.
His personal condolences prove it, I'll
Just drop IN Oh him so suddenly and
afectlonately that be can't help taking
me ia his arms"
So when the through freight slowed
al the water tank Keifer swung him
self into the caboose with generous
OUTFIT OF tobacco and books and brand
new pack or cards ordered up by the
freight conductor And this same
friendly conductor. when they reached
telegraph station 13, obligingly slowed
the train 80 Keifer could drop into the
white yielding sand. the familiar, un-
varying landscape OF his own station.
Accommodations" he chuckled as
he strode eagerly toward the open
doorway Of the little building It's
got two rooms Ike uy own, and that's
plenty Of accommodations for any rea-
sonable man. bat perhaps kauf was
used 10 big house at home Hello,
Window curtains. and flowers at the
end ~ the house and Lord"
For u young woman pretty and neat
ly dressed and with lips and eyes that
were meant for smiling hut whlch Just
now were sober with inquiry and con
sternatipu had suddenly appeared In
the doorway kcifer had not Seen
girl iu over three wears md such d gitl
IS ihis one appeared to him, never.
hi, mouth opened ana shut, without
sound
Well the girl inquired at last.
well. T-tell kauf I'm out here to see
him" answered Kcifcr dazedly.
I'm Eauf-Adeua Kaufman" said
a.. girl Then the utter blankness IN
the face before her seemed to restore
the girls equanimity. for she smiled
You're keif, | suppose Mr. Kei-
fer. mean" she said. Didn't | wire
you
4 wouldn't take IL, miserably. q
I thought twas some foolish excuse Of
ulan who wasn't used 10 visitors. |
heard tire Instrument calling and rec
uguized your touch. but | wouldn't
listen After the FIRST time | kept my
back turned and lodged out Soon's the
train came IN sight" lie looked to-
ward the track. a. if 10 see II the
freight We're still waiting for him. but
all that was visible Of II was a dark
line trailing into the white horizon
Trims gone" he said tentatively !
and it's fifty miles To the nearest |
house and there aren't any more trains |
either way until tomorrow. Now, II
Id brought some food ! might walk tho
nr-v miles or ~-.~t go ..za =-g- %" the