The Cairo bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1???-1928, 1908-06-25
When Burroughs
Beat the Record
observation-disclosures
BY NELLIE SARGENT


stood with uncovered head at tho
foot Of the Pullman steps.
ut is final--so far as New York Il
concerned" declared Nellie Prescott
with laugh as she tripped up the
steps. "You are at liberty to repeat
the question In San Francisco, and
perhaps | may give a different an
swer there"
Bob followed her up the steps and
presently he was standing beside the
section In which she was to make the
journey from New York to Chicago
the first OF her transcontinenta
trip.
Now. as soon as the porter had
gone, he faced her eagerly. Tell
me-" he pleaded, why might there
be different answer In San Fran
CISCO"
Nellies face grew suddenly grave.
There was perhaps no need of such
mystery, Mr.. Burroughs" she said,
''but before | came east ! promised
my mother that | would not accept
any proposal seriously until she had
opportunity to pass judgment"
II will see YOU" he said, IN San
Francisco
-Four days later he presented him
self at the Prescott home in Vanness
Avenue. Mrs. Prescott, stately but
clearly puzzled, presented herself
before the agitated young man
What IL TT" she demanded
breathlessly. us Nellie Ill or dead.
and have they sent you to tell me2"
Then you know me?" he COM
mented Ioyously.
81 know the name from Nelie's
letters" she said. but that does not
answer the question"
Miss Prescott is all right so far
IS know" he answered. II left her
tn New York in the best of health,
md for all | know, nothing has hap
ened, please God! Just wanted to
Ind ont II you liked me"
Mrs. Prescott sank into a chair. Il
I'm afraid that I cannot follow your
conversation. Why should IKE you,
md why should you come to San
Francisco TO find ont?"
Burroughs laughed Il hearty infco-
lous laugh.
You are not expected to under
tand," he explained, until tell
on that | want TO marry your
laughter, and she told me that
hould have to gain your consent
irst ! imagine from the way she
aid It that ! may hope. If you APP
lrove, and | thought would get out
mere first so that / might ask her as
soon as she arrived.
she said you had to pass judg-
ment personally" he exclaimed mod
astly, "and | was In a hurry"
This time 1t was Mrs, PRESCOTT who
laughed, and Burroughs, interpret
ing 1t as a favorable sign, laughed
too
Il can see clearly. that you are not
lacking in ardor. | have had the
best reports of you from those who
thought that might be Interested In
knowing. II Nellie will accept you,
Mr.. Burroughs, shall be glad 10
acknowledge such an enterprising
young man as my son-in-law."
Meanwhile Nellie Prescott had
been beguiIing her dreary trip over
the plains at intervals by quietly
weeping She had grown very fond
Of Bob Burroughs. and had II not
been for the promise she had given
her mother she would have tourn-
eyed West with ring upon the en-
gagement finger.
She had been at loss to account
for his abrupt departure, even in
spite OF the kiss upon her hand.
There had been 10minute wait be-
fore the train started.
Then the train began to ran
through the Sierras and Nellie dried
her eyes, for the Sierra Nevada
mountains are good even for the
heartache. and the grandeur OF the
scenery causes one to forget such
pitiable things as the human emo
tons.
Once In the station she looked
about her for her people. Surely
some one must have come across the
bay. But In all the crowd there was
not a familiar face. and her heart
grew more heavy as she passed the
different family parties happy in
their reunion.
Then suddenly she stood still.
There, on the edge of the crowd, was
Burroughs. She shook herself. Sure
ly this was some trick of her tear
iimmed eyes, some Naturalization of
a tired brain.
But there was no deception in the
hearty voice at her elbow.
Your mother approves, dear"
She did not stop to ask how he
had come to be there. She only
raised a mute. questioning face to
his. To her It msttered not how he
came 10 be there. The important
-. ....k 49,. . eras thara r