Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1906-06-28

of the proffered leave of absence, took
and answered the call, made a few
final arrangements, then bent over to
continue the conversation, hesitated
and swung back from the instrument
IT won't do it," he chuckled "Kauf's
likely ashamed Of his looks-baldhead
ed or fat or one eyed or something
and don't want me to know. I'm go
ing to visit him on the next train, and
I'm not going to give him a chance for
any more excuses. Ashamed. Great
Scott! Don't we like the same books
and music and everything else? What
do l care how the old chap looks? He
ought to know my regard rises above
such petty considerations. and be-
lieve he thinks Just as much Of me.
His personal condolences prove It, I'll
| Just drop In on him so suddenly and
affectionately that he can't help taking
me In his arms"
So when the through freight slowed
at the water tank Keifer swung him.
self into the caboose with a generous
new pack of cards ordered up by the
freight conductor. And this same
friendly conductor, when they reached
telegraph station Is, obligingly slowed
the train so Keifer could drop into the
white, yielding sand, the familiar, I'M
varying landscape Of his own station.
Accommodations he chuckled as
he strobe eagerly toward the open
doorway of the little building ITS
got two rooms, like my own, and that's
plenty of accommodations for any rea-
sonable man, but perhaps Kauf was
used to big house at home. Hello!
Window curtains, and flowers at the
end Of the house and-Lordr
For young woman, pretty and neat
" dressed, and with lips and eyes that
were meant for smiling, but which just
now were sober with inquiry and con-
sternation, had suddenly appeared In
the doorway Keifer had not seen
girl In over three years, and such girl
as this one appeared to him, never.
His mouth opened and shut, without
sound.
"Well?" the girl inquired at last.
'Is-is Kauf-in? How's Kauf-
wellP T.tell Kauf I'm out here to see
him." answered Keifer dazedly.
I'm Kauf-Adelia Kaufman" said
the girl Then the utter darkness In
the face before her seemed to restore
the girls equanimity. for she smiled.
you're Kelf, suppose-er-Mr. kei-
fer. mean" she said. Didn't / wire
you
"I wouldn't take It." miserably. Il
I thought twas some foolish excuse or
a man who wasn't used to visitors. l
heard the instrument calling and rec
ognlzed your touch, but l wouldn't
listen. After the first time / kept my
back turned and lodged out soon's the
train came in sight" He looked to-
ward the track, as II to see II the
freight were still waiting for him, but
all that was visible of Ii was dark
line trailing into the white horizon.
TRAINS 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, If
I'd brought some food might walk the
fifty miles or start off one way or the
other to meet a train, but It's been
eight hours since l had breakfast, and
fifty miles. You see," deprecatingly.
81 felt so sure that Kauf-I beg your
pardon, Miss Kauf-Kaufman. | mean
-I-I-it don't seem possible there isn't
any real Kauf after all the talking
we've DONE"
you've camped outdoors good
many times, suppose, Mr.. Keifer. All
western men have"
"Of course" inqulringly. Then, with
an odd note of eagerness coming into
his voice, "You mean may camp right
here by the track until train comes.
II won't be presumptuous after-after
my densityT
81 only control the station, Mr.. Kei-
fer, and you have right to camp any
where you please out Of doors. But
what wish to say is that III be glad
to have you take supper with me ana
all YOUR meals until the train comes.
At home / was considered a very fair
cook"
The next day the down freight was
four hours late, and when 1t began 10
slacken speed In answer to his signai