The Cairo bulletin., 1911-12-17
BILL :: !:


| platform and darted out into the des-
! eit again. throwing back glittering
| sparks OF light from their polished
! steel
/ 1t was q scorching day. with deep
| mauve tint close to the broken ranges
In TIE distance. and Bill Ransiow
argued that It denoted storm.
| Maybe wind--maybe sand--maybe
rain. he said didactically to the sta
ton agent. who was sweeping the
platform in 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 1t. RAIN" he sneered. Tell,
me when we've had any rain! Not
moren once Or twice since came to-
When was that?" Bill asked the
question, not from idleness, but be-
cause he really wanted to know.
There were many things he had for
gotten since he had drifted into Sun.
rise one morning. three years ago.,
and, overcome by the somnolence Of
the desert town, had succumbed to It's
influence. and now had become one
of her shiftless. idle population.
I've been here seven months" said
Ian In an injured tone, land In all
that time not drop of rain"
What do you expect in this god
a hn1 L. -
gressively.
Il don't know" said the other SLOW
E. What do you expect. Bill Rams
low"
Don't ask me-" returned the other
with a reckless laugh II 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 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 we'll over
bis eyes.
A whistle sounded from the high,
way crossing mile away, and In a
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 1t struck
the platform, and then. wonder of
wonders, the express snorted to q
standstill at Sunrise.
The station agent ran excitedly
looking for his seldom used baggage
truck for trunk had been hurtled
from the baggage car and passenger
had alighted from the train. There
was a creaking OF wheels, the con-
ductor Mapped hand and the express
Numbered away into the west, leaving
q small slender little woman on the
platform.
She was dressed all In gray. soft,
dusty-looking gray, with little gray
hat with a perky 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 II It
had not worn scared, sorrowful look.
The newcomer was about thirty-five,
years old. though under happier con-
ditions she might have appeared
younger. She looked helplessly from
the station master TO Bill Ranslow,
sid to his sudden terror--a terror that
glued his feet 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, Il
am stranger here--I came expect
ing 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 II to speak, but the
movement OF Bill's hand toward his
hip pocket frustrated his intention.
Who did you say. ma'am? asked
Bill hoarsely.
MIR. 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 faltercd.
Bill shook himself vigorously and
shot defiant glance at the gaping
station master Mr.. Ranslow's all
right" he reasBured her, only he's
been pretty busy lately--ain't he,
LAM" y
Ian Dowd glanced apprehensiveH at
Bill Ranslow's untidy figure, at his
unkempt beard, his bloodshot eyes
peering from under his hat brim, and
be answered hastily:
"Oh, yes, ma'am. Bill mean Mr..
Ranslow's real well---only as Bill here
says, he's been awfully busy!"
THANK you--I'm 80 glad" breathed
the little woman. Now II you'll d.
rect me to the best hotel | Will be
more grateful"
There was an instant's hesitation
before Bill Ranslow answered her.
Now, ma'am, there's not much choice
of hotels" he said earnestly, land I'm
thinking II 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
do"
You are more than kind" smiled