Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1910-12-03
ON TRACK NO. 8.
BY Edith S. Speed.
Copyright, 1910, by the Associated
Literary Press).

BY Edith S. Speed.
Copyright, 1910, by the Associated
Literary Press).
The girls hand lowered over the
magazines on the news stand. Sud
denly it was arrested, her body
Strengthened slightly; then, gradually.
she turned her head and from the
corner Of her eye glanced at young
man who had just passed. He was
dapper in his fur-trimmed overcoat
and stood leaning against corner OF
the stand smoking. His attitude was
jaunty and careless; altogether with
his rudy complexion and humorous
dark eyes he seemed almost hand
some.
The girl looked at him for q mo-
ment, but her searching gaze covered
every detail of his face and costume.
Then, with satisfied expression, she
returned to her magazines. chose the
one she wanted. paid for It and
walked slowly away, without so much
as another glance In the direction OF
the young man.
A local train had Just arrived and
for q few minutes she stood idly
watching the passengers. Then she
walked out into the train shed and
eagerly scanned blackboard bulletin.
Upon it was written, Albany express.
twenty minutes late, arriving on track
The gate to the track was open,
!, passed through 1t and strolled
leisurely up the narrow platform.
The young man in the fur-trimmed
overcoat was sitting upon a baggage
truck The girl passed him and con-
tinued her walk along the platform.
Presently she stopped, turned up the
collar Of her coat and holding her
mum to her face, rubbed the soft fur
against; her cheek. The coat fitted q
figure Of most attractive proper
lions. girlish and slight but perfect in
contour. Her brown felt hat with its
long willow plume shaded pair OF
roguish gray eyes. II, - short brown
cloth skirt revealed well shod feet.
SO pretty a person in SO smart a
costume no man Willing away twenty
minutes would allow to escape with
out close-if polite scrutiny. The
man on the baggage truck arose and
sauntered along in her direction. She
kept her back toward him until he had
passed, then she turned and walked to
the upper end of the train shed. Her
eyes became possessed with a mis-.
chevious twinkle, and, as she stopped
and watched the empty cars being
shunted about the yard, she laughed
softly to herself. In few minutes he
had come up to her, stopped and
looked up the track She looked
frankly at him and took few steps
In his direction.
Gould you tell me If the train from
Albany comes in on this track?" she
asked.
He lifted his hat, concealed his sur
prise, and answered: Eyes, this track
No. g."
She gave him q little nod and q
smile Of thanks and walked slowly
away.
His hand quickly sought his collar;
he Strengthened his tie, smoothed back
his hair, threw away his cigarette and
strobe after her.
About midway down the platform
she stopped and was busily watching
the long train Of cars that was pulling
out on the opposite track as he came
up, to her He was about to pass
when she smiled at him. s
1T is cold, isn't it," he remarked,
kicking his heels together on the plat
form.
Eyes, indeed she said, 81 believe
this station is the coolest place in the
whole world. 1t always seems ten
degrees colder than it does outdoors"
He smiled slightly, hoping that she
would say something more, for her
voice was the deepest and richest &c
had ever heard. At the same time, he
could not help wondering why she
spoke to him so unconventionally.
II suppose 1t is warner in the wait
ing ROOM" she continued, 1but l am
afraid the train wouM come in without
my knowing it. You never can make
out what the man with the megaphone
says, and they are always SO snippy
about what they do know"
That's true" he assented. II re-
NAMED out here to smoke
She glanced down at his hand and
noticed that it was empty.
Don't stop on my account; do not
mind It," she said.
Thank you. need something to
keep me warm besides looking at you.
Your fur coat looks very cozy.'
DIG lOOhSu at I'LL III ScCOuu duu
frowned slightly, then she took step
to the side of the track.
ooh, wish 1t would hurry she
spoke as il to herself.
Are you expecting some one?' he
asked.
YES she answered and smiled.
Fortunate mani"
"Who said it was man." she asked
quickly.
ooh, just guessed l, also, am ex-
pecting man.
From Albany" she queried.
EYES," he answered
"Do you know many persons there?'
mot many. And your"
"Oh, yes, I have great many
friends in Albany" she informed him.
And then. hesitating, MY fiance lives
there Dimples dotted her cheeks,
bewitchingly, as she spoke.
For a few moments he gazed alb
sently down the track. Disappoint-
ment was written upon his face. That
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