The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1911-10-30
BY JEAN DCkERSoN.
Copyright. 1911. by Associated Lit
erray Press4

Copyright, 1911. by Associated Lit
erray Press}
The railraod station at Sunrise.
Ariz.. was a low wooden building. SUM-
hlistered and weather-warped. The
shining tracks skirted the battered
platform and darted the out into the
desert again, throwing back glitter
ing sparks of light from their pol
ished steel
II was Il scorshlng day, with a deep
mauve tint close To the broken ranges
in the distance, and Bill RansloW
argued that ii denoted a storm
Maybe wind-maybe sand--mayoe
rain" he said didactically to the sta
ton agent. who was sweeping xhe
platform III anticipation OF the pos
sible stopping of the daily train from
the East,
Ian Dowd whacked his broom
against post and then leaned heav-
lily on it, Rain" he sneered. Tell
ME when we've had any rain! Not
more'n once or twice since l came to
Sunrise"
when was that" Bin asked the
question, not from idleness, but be-
cause he really wanted To know.
mere were many liittkS iAt iiao i'i
gotten since he had drifted into Sun
rise one morning three years ago,
and, overcome by the somnoience of
the desert town. had succumbed To its
influence, and now had become ono
of her shiftless. idle population
I've been here seven months, said
Ian in an injured tone. and in all
that time not drop Of RAIN.
What do you expect in this god
forsaken hole" demanded Bill ag-
gressiveiy.
u don't know" said the other
slowly What do You expect, Biil
RansioW? ?"
Don't ask me-" returned the other
with reckless laugh. I don't want
TO remember, and so ! try to forget.
Nothing the matter with SUNRISE"
The agent resumed his sweeping.
Nothing the matter with Sunrise ca
cept there's eight saloons and onfy
one churchi" he said bitterly,
Here she comes" remarked Bill
Ranslow. aud he slouched off to lean
against the wall of the building, his
broad brimmed hat pulled well over
his eyes.
A whistle sounded from the high
way crossing Il mile away. and in 3
few minutes there was a DRIFT OF
of the approaching train, the thruml
OF a slender mail bag as 1t struck
the platform, and then, wonder Of
wonders, the express snorted to ~
standstill at Sunrise.
TIE station agent ran excitediA
looking for his seldom used baggage
truck, for a trunk had been hurtled
from the baggage car and Il passen-
ger had alighted from the train.
There MAS "A creaking of wheels,
the conductor Mapped a hand and the
express Numbered away into the
west, leaving a small slender little
woman on the platform.
She was dressed all in gray, soft,
dusty looking gray, with little gray
hat with perky pink wing stuck
on one side of the crown. A soft gray
veil was half draped over the hat
and partly concealed a pale, delicate
face, which would have been pretty
If 1t had not worn "A scared. sorrow
full look. The newcomer was about
thirty-five years old. though under
happier conditions she might have
appeared younger. She looked help
lessly from the station master to Bill
Ranslow, and to his sudden terror
a terror that glued his feet to the
platform and prevented his flee
ing from HtT Hentlc pIGSohGc ds HIS
heart prompted him to do--she came
forward and paused In front of him.
Excuse me-" she said timidly. II
am a stranger here--I came expecting
to see a--a-friend Of mine. Per-
haps you know Mr.. William Poole
Ranslow?" She waited for Bills an
swer.
The station master. who had
drawn near. darted a quick glance at
Bill and made az ii to speak, but the
movement Of Bills hand toward his
hip pocket frustrated his intention.
Who did you say. ma ann" asked
Bill hoarsely.
MFR. William Poole Ranslow--
doesn't he live in Sunrise" You see.
his friends have been anxious to hear
from him and--so I've come out to
look for him" Her voice faltered.
Bill shook himself vigorously and
shot a defiant glance at the gaping
station master. Mr.. Ranslow's all
right" he treasured her. only he's
been pretty busy lateiy--ain't he,
I.anf'