Baxter Springs news. [volume] (Baxter Springs, Kan.) 1882-1919, 1906-02-08
FAVORED BY
MISFORTUNE
Bv CLINTON DANcERFIELD
{ Copyright. 1895. by Joseph b sewls''l

Jerry Brannon studied her delicate
profile eagerly, through the medium
If one of the dingy. narrow. mirror
panels set In The car. Hitherto he had
always considered these panels as a
weak trucking TO feminine vanity
He now perceived their intrinsic value
and blessed the man who had con-
.eived the idea.
Il hurt him seriously to think that
she would pass out Of his life when
they reached Louisville. He ragged
against the conventionalities which set
a barrier between himself and the un-
known.
A gray. haired. stately old gentleman.
whom he correctly supposed to be her
father, sat beside her. and was Just
strewing her lap with magazines
bought from the train boy.
mo earthly chance OF an introduc-
ton" groaned Brannon to himself
Not a soul here who could possibly
help me-"
His eyes involuntarlly turned with
disgust ON the other occupants OF the
| little car
II was a mixed train. running from
far beyond Anchorage. and II carried
half q dozen owners Of small tobacco
farms, on the way to attend the Louis
VILE auction, and some equally bucolic
females, several Of whom were bur-
dened with restless. sticky children.
The fair unknown shone the more
by contrast. Brannon lnvoluntarily
compared her exquisite grooming with
the frowzy condition Of q middle-aged
and solitary female who sat just across
the aisle from him.
There was a huge basket on the seat
beside her. Over Its top was tied q
white cloth, which occasionally bulged
I'D fiercely in bunny spots, while
smothered sounds Of inarticulate wrath
issued from within.
The owner OF the basket detected
Brannon's glance. To his horror she
nodded, smiled. arose. and. coming
across. dumped herself down beside
him. smoothing back her thin hair
with a cottOn-gloved hand.
Il seed you a-lookin my way" she
said, with great friendliness. land
knowed you wuz jest spilin' to find out
what's In that there basket"
Pardon me-" said Brannon. freez'
ingly, IL had not thought Of the bas'
ket. would not have you put your
self to any trouble In explaining.
! am not the conductor. you know"
Good land!" chuckled his self-found
friend. Did ye think ! took ye for
the conductor? Why, he's dressed q
sight smarter than you. Bright blue
and brass buttons on It, Std Of gray
Not but what you look real nice" she
amended. hastily. THAT there suit fits
you to q fgger and sort of agrees with
your style. i dunno but mebbe you
look better in that than you would In
his blue and brass
THANK you" said Brannon. with an
irony totally lost.
Jerry was no snob; but the familiar
manners Of the owner Of the basket
made him rage lest the unknown. Sit,
ting several seats ahead. should regard
her Is belonging TO, him. He assumed
pose of quiet iclness. which was quite
Undecided by the Friendly dame be-
side him. e."
His indifference as to the mystery
Of the basket had the usual stimulat-
Ing effect. She lowered'hsr voice TO q
confidsntiai pitch determined TO inter
est him.
Conductor, he knows there's poultry
! In that there basket" she said, Ia q
| half whisper. but he don't know all.
Jerry remained silent.
@Thss amt no common .chickens
They are thoroughbred games. I'm
| a.takih' 'eem In TO a young Teller In
town. I'm afeared' he's goin' to fight
the rbck:: but husband he Says faint
none or our affair" -.
Jerry looked ont tof the window.
AThaf there cock. " pursued she, has
cot the wust temper In Kaintuck. an
the hens they amt much better"
Jerry tt1ed another tack:
"rhen YOU had better stay by them
ana watch them" he suggested. artful-
". you shouldn't leave them alone,
That cover looks loose"
II Ttckun l shouldn't" agreed tia