The Evening statesman. [volume] (Walla Walla, Wash.) 1903-1910, 1910-03-18

tucu III ID 10 Tue SiiuS LoA you. AoS
bad. though. for I'd thought we might
go Off together. Odd, isn't 1t? feel
you're the best friend I've got in the
world-about the only one. for that
matter-for we've wired no end of
personal gossip and ambition. and our
yet I've never seen yOu and don't
know whether you're short or tall.
lean or fat. heather or Y. NJ. G. A.
or whether your mustache is still to
sprout or your white hair is dropping
out from old age. Queer world, isn't
it, Kauf? But say. believe I'll run
down and spend my vacation with
you. There's no other place | can
think of. and we can see how each
other looks and talk and smoke and"-
There was quick. protesting click.
"Don't you do it.. Kiefer. What is your
name anyway-tl1e whole of it? Kiefer
is $3.50 unceremonious and blunt.
But about the vacation. You mustn't
visit me now-mustn' Why. it's i'm
possible! IL haven't the accommo-
datioDs, and-and I'm so busy. and"-
There was a call from the home Of
fee. and with a hurried explanation to
Kaufman he flashed in an acceptance
Of the proffered leave Of absence. took
and answered the call. made few
final arrangements. then bent over to
continue the conversation. hesitated
and swung back from the instrument.
81 won't do it." he chuckled. "Kauf's
likely ashamed. of his looks. baldhead-
ed or fat or one eyed or something and
don't want me to know. I'm going to
visit him on the next train. and I'm
not going to give him chance for any
more excuses Ashamed! Great Scott!
Don't we like the same books and mu-
sic and everything else? What do
care how the old chap looks? He
ought to know my regard rises above
such petty considerations. And l be-
lieve he thinks just as much Of me.
His personal condolences prove it. I'll
just drop in on him so suddenly and
affectionately that he can't help TAX
ing me in his arms"
So when the through freight slowed
at the water tank Kiefer swung him
self into the caboose with a generous
outfit of tobacco and books and
brand new pack of cards ordered up
by the freight conductor. And this
same friendly conductor when they
reached telegraph station Is obligingly
slowed the train so Kiefer could drop
into the white. yielding sand. the ia
miliar, unvarying landscape of his own
station.
Accommodations" be chuckled as
he strobe eagerly toward the open
doorway of the little building. Its
got two rooms like my own. and that's
plenty of accommodations for any rea-
sonabe man. But perhaps Kauf was
used to big house at home. Hello!
Window curtains and flowers at the
end Of the house, and-LOrd!'
For young woman. pretty and neat
ly dressed and with lips and eyes that
were meant for smiling. but that just
now were sober with inquiry and con-
sternation, had suddenly appeared in
the doorway Kiefer had not seen a
girl in over three years. and such a
girl as this one appeared to him never.
His mouth opened and shut without
sound.
"Well?" the girl inquired at last.
'Ts-is Kauf in? How's Kauf? Well?
T-tel Kauf I'm out here to see him."
answered Kiefer dazedly.
'T'm Kauf-Adalia Kaufman" said
the girl Then the utter Darkness in
the face before her seemed to restore
the girls equanimity. for she smiled.
you're Kief. suppose-er-Mr. Kie-
fer. / mean," she said. Didn't wire
your
81 wouldn't take it." miserably. 81
| thought it was some foolish excusing
of a man who wasn't used to visitors.
| heard the instrument calling and rec
ognized your touch, but ! wouldn't lis
ten After that first time | kept my
back turned and lodged out soon 8 the
| train came in sight" He looked to-
ward the track as though to see if the
train were still waiting for him, but all