The Big Sandy news. [volume] (Louisa, Ky.) 1885-1929, 1912-02-16

Ing SO close that fusillade Of gum
sounded from the front end of tn,
train. A little farther along she caugh
a glimpse OF a troop OF Wild horsei
dashing recklessly down into shell
tering ravine. Yet principally al
that met her straining eyes was ster
lie desolation. Here and there a grea
ugly water tank reared Its hideoul
shape beside the track. the engine al
ways peuslng for fresh supply. BE
side II was Invariably a pile OF coal
few construction cars, hut hall
buried under earth, loop-holed ant
barricaded, with several rough meT
loaiing about. heavily armed and in
quisitive. A few Of these points haG
once been terminal, the surrounding
scenery evidencing past glories by
piles Of tin oahs. A.11 all manner Of
debris. with occasionally vacant
shack. left deserted and forlorn.
Wearied and heartsick, Hope turned
away from this outside dreariness to
contemplate more closely her neigh
bors on board, but found them scarce
ly more interesting. Several were
playing cards. others moodily staring
out OF the windows, while few were
laughing and talking with the girls
their conversation inane and punctu-
ated with profanity. One man was
figuring on 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-ra1, They would
glance curiously at her MS 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. Rut he made no effort
at advances returning Immediately to
his pad. oblivious 10 all else.
It 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
fatlgued 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 unconsctogs head
pillowed upon the shoulder OF her
man friend, and both Ee1u sleeping.
How haggard and gt;Gstly the won,
ans powdered faos looked. with the
light just above II, and all semblance
OF JOY gone It was as though a mask
had been taken on. Out in the dark.
ness the engine whistled sharply and
then came to y humping stop at son
desert station. Through the black
window few lanterns could be seen
hicketiRg about, and there arose the
sound Of gruif voices speaking. The
sleepers inside, aroused by the sharp
stop, rolled over aud swore. seeking
easier pastures Then the front door
opened, and slammed shut. and new
passenger entered He came down
The aisle. glancing carelessly at the
lpturned faces. and finally sank into
The seat directly opposite Hope, He
was a broad shouldered man, his coat
20 the throat, with. strong
ACE showing clearly beneath the
,road hist brin and lighted up with a
'air of shrewd. kindly eyes. The con.
iucior came through. nodded at him.
md passed on Hope thought he
must be some oideial OF the road. ard
to break the prolonged ST.
ence with question:
Gould you ten me how long It win
&c before we reach Sheridan"
She had partially pushed aside her
ell In order TO speak more clearly,
nd the man, turning at sound OF her
oice. took OFF his hat, his searching
yes eui-ical
We'll, no, can't, madam" the
lords coming with a jerk. For I'm
ot at all sure Wen keep the track.
,ught 10 make Il in an hour. however,
everything goes right Live in Sheri-
am"
She shook her head, uncertain how
rankly to answer,
No loss to you-worst place TO 1.-Two
en- earth-no exceptions--I know
cen there myself three rionths-got
aends there likely?"
Il hardly know" she acknowledged
o. Stfully. Il think so, but shah
ave to hunt some place in whichSto
tay tonight. Can you tell me OF some
some respectable hotel, or boarding
ouse7-
The man wheeled about. until no
0uld look at her more clearly.
That's a pretty ,hasd commission,