Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1908-07-11

own domain She took herself sharply
in hand Was this the way she should
treat Alfred? Refuse his every re-
quest? III go because you wish it,
Alfred" she said heartily.
Miss Hamilton entered, looking very
trim and fit in her cool, blue linen
gown, &with hat, parasol and furbelow
in harmony She acknowledged the
introduction prettily, bowling graceful
ly and taking Stella's hand.
Dear me, Miss Anthony How do
you manage that exquisite complexion
in this heat and dust? And how can
you look so sweetly serene living here,
where everything is in such jum-
b1e?'' she ratified on after the first
words of greeting were past.
Stella blushed at the glib compIi-
ments. She hated herself for doubt
ing Miss Hamilton's sincerity, and re-
piled hesitatingly.
Alfred came to her rescue. eve
shall start in a few minutes. Will you
be ready and join US here? Well wait
for YOU
'Oh. are you going out to view the
iron track with US, Miss Anthony?
How perfectly splendid! Get ready,
quick, there's dear"
The words were astonishing to Stel-
la. Why did this stranger speak as if
they had been friends for years? Stel-
la shot a glance at Alfred, but he gave
no sign of surprise.
In a vague, masculine way he tried
to send Stella an encouraging glance;
but he missed her eye as she stopped
to gather up wrappings and boxes, and
her wistful look from the doorway
was unanswered because Miss Hamil-
ton had impressed Alfred's eyes and
fingers to her service.
Dear me, Mr.. Vincent One of my
shoe buttons is unfastened. Will you
lend me your button-hook? oh, per-
haps you'll" She put out her pretty
foot.
Alfred was on his knee, back to
Stella, when she closed the door. All
the way upstairs she thought of the
little scene below. Wide as was the
gulf that separated Sally B. from her
self, she knew the type Miss Hamilton
represented was farther removed.
The coaches arrived and they drove
eastward on the stage road till they
came opposite the selected spot, when
they alighted and climbed to the high
er railroad grade.
Miss Hamilton took the center of
the stage quite naturally. She wished
to learn, took it for granted that Al
fred would be a willing teacher.
Where in the world did you find
enough men? Now many have you,
Mr.. Vincent? A million?" She looked
up bewitchingly; and Alfred was not
impervious to the subtle fiattery that
for the moment invested him with the
dignity of the owners and captains
of the road.
He smiled. I'VE have just one two
hundred-and-fftieth Of that million,
Miss Hamilton. We wish we had
more. We're going to have more, if
we have to steal them
Miss Hamilton admired the con-
foence in his words.
We've more than 1000 horses and
carts; and a S25 900 order has just
been placed for more stock and Tools
Are men SO hard to get?''
White men are. Cinnamon less
hard"
why don't you use more China
men, then?" she asked, glancing down
from a rock that jutted into the path.
They're afraid of drill and powder"
Alfred replied to the question.
They were on the grade now, creep
ing around the shoulder OF Cape Horn.
Hundreds of feet above lowered
straight granite walls. Thousands of
feet below, sheer and jagged, the
walls met the foot of the opposite
mountain; and in the narrow, crooked
crack at the bottom the American
river seethed and tumbled its tortu-
Gus way to the ocean.
AS they came to a point where the
stupendous scene opened fully before
them, Miss Hamilton's gay chatter
ceased. Men hushed their talk of
stocks and bonds, purchase and sale.
Stella, too, forgot the blood and flame
in her attire, forgot even Alfred and
his bright companion.
This must be Ossa piled upon
Pelion,' Miss Hamilton said softly.
breaking the long silence. She looked
up, and below, trying to measure the
depths.
How ever did they get here first?
And how did they dare insult that rock
with POWDER" Miss Ham
ilton's gaze crept up, and up, to the
sky-robed summit
with ropes. They let men down |
from the top, who picked out standing |
room; and from that they worked a |
path around to the grade
Got plenty of engines, Crocker?"