Iowa state bystander. [volume] (Des Moines, Iowa) 1894-1916, 1908-10-09
| THE GIRL.
GRAY |
By. ALEXANDER BLACK
Copyright. by shortstory Pub. Coz

Copyright. by shortstory Pub. Col
The train numbering northward
from San Antonio. Sherman Garrett
was conscious of the monotonous
panorama, Of the ribbon of land and
the ribbon of sky. A definite fact was
the silhouette Of the girl In gray
He first had seen her at San An.
tonic. In company with DR.. Parvin he
had been studying the sleepy missions
and the sleepier gambling dens, bar.
tering at the curiosity shops, riding
shaggy ponies in clouds of white dust,
and ornamenting the facade of the
hotel, when one morning, like the ad.
vent OF radiant to-day, she doomed in
the arch of the Alamo.
1 wonder who she Isl" exclaimed
Parvin. Anyone having acquaintance
with Parvin would have expected him
to wonder who she was. Looks
bored"
And lonesome" added Garrett,
feelingly.
Just then the girl was Joined by
three men, with whom she presently
sauntered toward the hotel.
Company, and varied company"
laughed Parvin. One of the men evil
IDENTIFY was close upon So ruddy, pre-
matuTely stopped. His companions
were young, one of them spare, sharp
In feature. staggering in gait, the
other fat, smooth, expressionless.
Before night Parvin reported that
the thin young man was the old fel-
lows son. HE tries hard to be devil
ish," said Parvin. Smokes cigarettes,
drinks Martins, and sprinkles tips all
day"
THE Prodigal Son." unused Garrett.
Il can't make out the other object
that hangs around with him"
THE Fatted CALI" suggested Gar
rett.
Parvin grinned through a ring of
cigar smoke. "They both have the
to show occasional at
tention to that girl"
"She should know better" protested
Garrett.
On the following day Parvin report
ed that she had called the elderly
man father" And So" said Parvin,
I'VE have another character in the
dramatis personae-the Fond Father"
I'm shocked" declared Garrett,
that you, q man of science, shouldn't
have found visible proofs OF the re-
lationship long ago."
They enjoyed 50 much these specu.
lations over the group as to avoid, or
at least to neglect, practical measures
for better information. When the doc
tor started south to Laredo, and Gar
rett took an early train north on his
trip to Dallas and Little Rock, they
had formed the habit of calling her
Miss Alamo" in recollection of the
day she had dawned upon them in the
crumbling frame of the Mexican door
way.
And now she sat there, on the other
side of the car, her expressive profile
against the flowing lines of the Texas
country. She wore the gray gown in
which Garrett first had seen her. Dur
ing the early part of the journey she
had been accompanied by the Fond
Father, and had received visits from
the Prodigal Son and the Fatted Calf,
who finally carried the Fond Father
off with them to the forward car,
which was divided between negro pas
sengers and white smokers.
She talked gayly with the men, yet
gave no sign of regretting their de.
parture.
It was very warm. Miss Alamo
tanned herself with q folded time
able. Then she sought to raise her
Thanks to an official ingenuity
which has regard to the necessity for
! due and proper sociability among
the window would not
oudge. Miss Alamos: right glove
split squarely across the palm as Gar
.ett sprang forward to help her.
"Sorry wasn't quicker" Garrett
raid. Il might have saved the glove"
She laughed without any apparent
resentment for this unnecessary sup
element to the incident. and for the
irst time glanced at his face. my
for having them too
SMALL"
1t remained for Garrett to pick up
pamphlet describing the sights OF San
Antonio which she had brushed from
he seat. AS he rose he jostled some
me in the aisle. 1t was the Prodigal
Son. with the Fatted Calf at his elbow.
II beg your pardon" said Garrett.
Don't mention It," said the Prodi.
,al Son, who added: "Eh-didn't l |
zee you at the Menger?" Il
Eyes," admitted Garrett, divided be.
ween a feeling OF resentment that
he Prodigal Son should have seen
i'm anywhere, and acceptance of an
Excuse for proximity to Miss Alamo.
II thought So" joined In the Fatted
;alf, in an impersonal way, as II It |
Iidn't make any difference to him.
The Prodigal Son wrenched fever.
silly at a sickly mustache, which had |
he appearance of utter exhaustion un-
Ter a persistent effort to make it curl |
10 at the ends. Il got awfully tired of |
hat pl' CO." he said.
did you?" asked Garrett. color
essly.
The Fatted Calf Fat tentatively on
he arm of one of the seats.
The Prodigal Son had not had a
igarette for eight minutes and he
bowed the effects of the privation.
Smoker" he asked Garrett, finger
lg his case.
Garrett thought he wouldn't, and
nj 4 |