The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1911-10-26
THE EVENING STORY
Bill
by Jean Dickerson.l

bistered and weather-warped. The
shining tracks skirted the battered
platform and darted out into the
desert again. throwing back glitter
ing sparks of light from their polish
ed steel.
1t was a scorching day with a deer
mauve tint close to the broken ranges
in the distance. and Bill Ranslow az
gred that it denoted a storm.
Maybe wind-maybe sand-maybe
rain he said didactically to the sta
ton agent, who was sweeping tne
platform in anticipation of the posi-
Bile stopping of the daily train from the
east.
Ian Dowd whacked his broom against
a post and then leaned heavily on It.
RANT" he sneered. Tell me when
we've had any rains Not more'n once
! or twice since came to Sunrise
when was that?" Bill asked the
question, not from idleness, but be-
cause he really wanted to know There
were many things he had forgotten
| since he had drifted into Sunrise one
morning three years ago, and, over
| cine by the coincidence OF the desert
town, had succumbed to its influence
| and now had become one or hef ShlLI-
| less. idle population.
! 1--WE been here seven months said
Ian in an injured tone, and IN All
that time not a drop OF rain. -,
What do you expect in this God
forsaken hole?' demanded Bill agrees
Il don't know said the other
| slowly. what do you expect, Bill
Ranslow?''
.sDon't ask me-" returned the other
with a reckless laugh. I don't want
| to remember. and SO 1 try to forget
| Nothing the matter with Sunrise!
The agent resumbed his sweeping.
Nothing the matter with Sunrise ex-
cept there's eight saloons and only one
church!" he said bitterly.
Here she comes" remarked Bill
Ranslow. and 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 a mile away, and in
few minutes there was a drift of black
smoke in the air, the thunder of the
approaching train, the thump of
slender mail bag as it struck the plat
form and then, wonder of wonders,
the express snorted to standstill at
Sunrise.
The station agent ran excitedIy look
ing for his seldom used baggage truck,
for a trunk had been hurled from the
baggage car and a passenger had
aIIghted from the train. There was a
creaking of wheels. the conductor
flapped a hand and the express thun-
dered away into the west, leaving q
small, slender little woman on the
pIa form.
She was dressed all in gray, a soft,
hat with a perk- pink wing stuck on
one side of the crown. A soft gray
veil was half draped over the hat and
partly concealed pale, delicate face,
which would have been pretty if it had
not worn a scared, Sorrowful look. The
newcomer was about 35 years old,
though under happier conditions she
might have appeared younger She
looked helplessly from the station
master to Bill Ranslow, and to his sud-
L IL l. t. -
to the platform and prevented his
fleeing from her gentle presence as his
heart prompted him to do-she came
forward and paused in front Of him.
Excuse me-" she said timidly, II
am a stranger Eere-I came expecting
to see a=a-friend of mine. Per-
haps you know Mr.. William Poole
Ranslow?'' She waited for Bilps an
SWer.
The station master, who had drawn
near. darted a quick glance at Bill
and made as if to speak, but the move
ment of Bills hand toward his hip
pocket frustrated his intention.
sFWho did you say. ma'am p asked
Bill, hoarsely.
his friends have been anxious to hear
from him and-so I've some out to
look for him. Her voice faItered.
Bill shook himself vigorously and
shot a defiant glance at the gaping sta
ton master. "Mr. Ranslow's all right,
he treasured her, "only he's been
pretty busy Iately-ain't he. LAM"
Ian Dowd glanced apprehensively at
Bill Ranslow's untidy figure, at his I'M
kempt beard, his bloodshot eyes peer
ing from under his hat brim, and he
answered hastily:
ssOh yes, ma'am. BILL mean Mr..
Ranslow's real well-only as Bill here
SAYS, he's been awful busy"
s'Thank you-Pm so glad" breathed
the little woman. Now if you'll d.
rect me to the best hotel will be more
grateful"
There was an instant's hesitation be-
fore Bill Ranslow answered her. Now,
n1a'am. there's not much choice of
hotels.'' he said earnestly, land I'm
fhinEina if you was to sit here with
Ian for awhile I'd go on down street
and send Mr.. Ranslow up after you
and let him judge what you'd better
isYou are more than kind smiled
the little woman, gratefully 81 sup
nose you're a friend of Mr.. Rams
iow's?'' she added graciously.
mo. a'am.'' he said sharply. I'm
his worst enemyl" and he went away.
Bill Ranslow dashed into the bar
room of the Mesa hotel and confront
ed a dozen men.leading citizens of
Suurise-his friends
boy" he said abruptly, Ct got
something to say; came here three
wears ago to look into the old Sunrise |
mine with a view to buying it. I had
I've got a good lot of it yet-but I got |
Dlenfy of money in my pocket. and
into your slouching, lazy, easygofng
wavs and I've fallen step by step until
7 am what / ami What am I2D he
suddenly demanded of the biggest and
toughest of his interested listeners
you're a loafer, BilI-you're the
only one that amt in business Of some
kind here in Sunrise
That's right. I'm loafer. and
more. tool I was engaged to a pref
" little schoolma'am back in the east
there. and I just stopped writing and
let everything go SOS could loaf and
drink and gamble out here. Boys
his voice dropped earnestly. sssTe Just