Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1912-06-06

laughing and talking with the girls,
their conversation inane and punctu-
ated with profanity. One man was
figuring on a scratch pad, and Hope
decided he must be an engineer en-
ployed on the line; others she classed
as small merchants, saloon-keepers,
and frontier riff-raff. They would
glance curiously at her as they
marched up and down the narrow
aisle, but her veil, and averted face,
prevented even the boldest from
speaking. Once she addressed the
conductor, and the man who was fig
uring turned and looked back at her,
evidently attracted by the soft note
of her voice. But he made no effort
at advances, returning Immediately to
his pad. oblivious to all else.
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 haggard and chastity the WON
ans powdered face looked, with the
light Just above it, and all semblance
of joy gone. 1t was as though mask
had been taken off. Out in the dark
ness the engine whistled sharply and
then came to 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 swor1 seeking
easier pastures. Then the front door
opened, and slammed shut, and 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
pair Of shrewd. kindly eyes. The con-
ductor came through. nodded At him,
and passed on. Hope thought hs
must be some official of the road, and
ventured to break the prolonged 81
lence with a question:
Gould you tell me how long it 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 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
No loss to you-worst place to live
in on earth-no exceptiens-I know
been there myself three months-got
friends there likely?"
Il hardly know" she acknowledged
doubtfully 81 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 pretty hard commission.