River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1911-11-16
CHAPTER xx.-(contInued.)


1t was growing dark, the outside
world, now consisting of level plains,
fading into darkness, with few great
stars burning overhead. Trainmen lit
the few smoking oil lamps screwed
against the sides of the car, and its
occupants became little more than
dim shadows. All by this time were
fatigued into silence, and several were
asleep, finding such small comfort as
was possible on the cramped seats.
Hope glanced toward the heretofore
noisy group at the rear-the girl near
est her rested with unconscious head
pillowed upon the shoulder of her
man friend, and both were sleeping.
How kaggard and CHASTITY the wom-
ans powdered face looked, with the
light just above it, and all semblance
of Joy gone. 1t was as though a mask
had been taken off. Out in the dark
ness the engine whistled sharply and
then came to a humping stop at some
desert station. Through the black
window a few lanterns could be seen
Pickering about, and there arose the
sound of gruff voices speaking. The
sleepers inside, aroused by the sharp
stop, rolled over and swore, seeking
easier postures. Then the front door
opened, and slammed shut, and a new
passenger entered. He came down
the aisle, glancing carelessly at the
upturned faces, and finally sank into
the seat directly opposite Hope. He
was broad shouldered man, his coat
buttoned to the throat, with strong
face showing clearly beneath the
broad hat brim and lighted up with a
pair of shrewd, kindly eyes. The con-
ductor came through nodded at him.
and passed on. Hope thought he
must be some official of the road, and
ventured to break the prolonged ST.
lence with a question::
Gould you tell me how long 1t will
be before we reach Sheridan?"
She had partially pushed aside her
veil in order to speak more clearly,
and the man. turning at sound of her
voice. took off his hat, his searching
eyes quizzical.
We'll, no, can't, madam" the
words coming with a jerk For I'm
not at all sure We'll keep the track
Ought to make 1t in an hour, however,
If everything goes right. Live in Sheri-
dam"
She shook her head, uncertain how
frankly to answer.
mo loss to you-worst place to live
in on earth-no exceptions-I know
been there myself three months-gos
friends there likely?"
Il hardly know" she Acknowledged
doubtfully. Il think so, but | shall
have to hunt some place in which to
stay tonight. Can you tell me of some
some respectable hotel, or boarding
house?"
The man wheeled about, until he
could look at her more clearly.
That's a pretty hard commission,
Miss" he returned uneasily. There
may be such a place in Sheridan, but
/ have never found it. Old Mother
Shattuck keeps roomers, but she
won't have a woman in the house.
reckon you'll have to try it at the
hotel-I'n get you in there If | have
to mesmerize the clerk-you1l find it
a bit noisy though.
"Oh, thank you SO much. | dom
mind the noise. so it is respectable. "
He laughed. good humoredly.
We'll. | don't propose to vouch for
that-the proprietor amt out there
for his health-but, / reckon, you
won't have no serious trouble-the
boys mostly know a good woman
when they see one-which isn't often
anyhow, they're liable to be decent
enough as long as | vouch for you
But you know nothing of me-"
Don't need to-your face is enough
III get you the room all right"
She hesitated. then asked:
Are you-are you connected with
the railroads"
In a way, yes-T'm the contract
surgeon-had to dig a bullet out of a
water-tank tender back yonder-fel-
low howled as though | was killing
him-no 2erve-mighty poor stuff
most OF the ri9-raff out here-ball
wasn't In mucl below the slxin-In-
dian must have plugged him from the
top of the bIuf-blame good shot too
ragged looking slug-like to see it?"
She shook her head energetically
Don't blame you-nothing very I'M
common-get dozen cases like it a
day sometimes-stay in Sheridan,
show you something worth while
very pretty surgical operation to-mor-
row-come round and get you if you
care to see it-got to open the stom-
ach-don't know what III find-like to
go?"