The Washburn leader. [volume] (Washburn, McLean County, N.D.) 1890-1986, 1907-01-11

with the loneliness Of the morning In
the deserted car with only the dreary
landscape to watch, the girl seemed
d0ubly attractive, and he was surpris-
ed when the porter came around to
light the lights. A number of per-
sons had boarded the car through the
afternoon, but he had scarcely noticed
them.
He was sorry now that he had ar
ranged to stop owe on some business.
He was sorry that he was not going
straight through, for she had told him
that she was to be on the train until
well into the next day.
He swore softly to himself when the
porter came to brush him down.
BE in your station in ten minutes"
he said briskly as he picked up the
suit case beside Clifton's seat and took
1t to the forward door. Clifton fol-
lowed him more leisurely and stopped
at the girls seat.
II am grateful to you for a most de-
lightful afternoon" he said earnestly.
II am sorry that our ways part so
quickly, but somehow I feel certain
that I shall see you again."
"I'm sure of it." said the girl with
laughing eyes,. "But next time l hope
that the introduction will not be so
abrupt"
"I'll follow the adage and let sleep
ing dogs-and sleeping car passengers
eloor an ~ ~ 1o,,-1,o1 SC1olL- o~1
thanks"
Their hands met for a moment in a
warm clasp, and then he made his
way to the door.
The train pulled out before he turned
away from the platform, and with the
last fash of the car lights on the CLINT
ing gold of her hair a terrible sense Of
loneliness came over him. He had not
asked for her address. 1t would have
been worse than rude, and he wanted
her to think well Of him, but now he
was sorry that he had not risked CIV
ing offense. 1t was too late now.
though. She had probably passed out
of his life forever, and he turned away
toward the hotel stages with a heavy
heart. Now that the train had gone
on he knew that he had fallen in love,
and with an unknown girl Mt that.
There were letters, waiting for him
at the hotel. including one from his sis
ter urging him to close up his business
and get home quickly, a she wanted
him to reach there before her school
chum went back home.
Clifton caught up a sheet of note pa
per and wrote a line to Nell. He SOL
EMMY warned her to cherish no hopes
that he would fall in love. 81 met a
girl on the train." he wrote. '''Unless
I can find her you will never have a
sister-in-law. I think l shall stay here
until your visitor goes"
He sent the letter downstairs and
turned into bed, but sleep was laggard.
He could see in the darkness of the
room that golden head, and he re-
preached himself for his foolishness in
not finding out who she was.
He rose unrefreshed in the morning
and went duly about his business.
The girl of the train was before his
eyes all the time. It was silly, he told
himself. to feel SO about a woman he
would probably never see again. yet
at the same time he realized that she
had made an impression upon him that
time could not efface.
He tried to read that evening. but he
could not keep his mind on the maya
zine. and at last he threw it down and
gave. himself up to meditation. He
knew that if he brooded ON the sub
ject lie would be unfit for business or
anything else. He must find the girl
somehow. Perhaps he might trace her
through the conductor Of the train. She
must have come on board about Z
o'clock. Perhaps he could run up the
line and find out from the ticket agent.
He had about decided upon that scheme
when there came a knock at the door.
and he went to open it. A bellboy
thrust a telegram into his hand and
stood waiting to see IL there was an
/ answer Clifton broke the seal list
/ lessly. then gave a shout. The message
ran:
Come home. you silly. Bess Win
ston was the girl in section 16. She
saw your name on the suitcase. That's
why she was so nice. Nell"
"Any answer?" asked the boy. fdget-
ing first on y foot and then on the
other.
II hope the answer will be .yes,'"
said Clifton absently. II mean" he
went on quickly. ives. there's an IN
swer." And he stretched out his hand
for the blank. s
Gan Franeisco's Hostility.
At q great labor union mass meeting