The Mobridge news. [volume] (Mobridge, Walworth Co., S.D.) 190?-1917, 1912-07-12
CHAPTER Xx.-(ContInued.)

n was growing dark. the outside
world. now consisting OF level plains.
iading into darkness. with a few great
stars burning overhead. Trsinnen III
the few smoking oil lamps screwed
against the sides Of the car. and Ito
S~ccupants became little moro than
aim shadows. All by this time were
asleep. finding such small comfort %
was possible on the cramped seats.
Hope glanced toward the heretofore
noisy group at the resr-the girl near
st her rested with unconscious head
pnowed upon the shoulder OF her
nan friend. and both were sleeping.
How haggard and CHASTITY the WON
ans powdered face looked. with the
light Just above il. and all semblarce
1t Joy gone. 1t was as though a mask
had been taken of. Out In the dark.
Ases the engine whistled sharply and
then came to a humping stop at some
desert station Through the black
window a few lanterns could be seer
1ickering about. and there arose the
acund Of gruf voices speaking. The
sleepers inside. aroused by the sharp
stop. rolled over and swo-e. seeking
sasier postures. Then the front door
opened. and slammed shut, and a new
passenger entered. He came down
ths aisle. glancinx carelessly at the
Spturned faces. and finally sank into
che seat directly opposite Hope. He
was a broad shouldercd 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
Nlctcr came through. nodded at him.
ibd passed on. Hope thought he
must be some Official of the road. and
ventured to break the prolonged 81.
hence with a question:
Gould vol 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 of his hat. his searching
eyes quizzical.
We'll. o can't. madam" tho
words coming with a jerk. For I'm
not at all sure we'll keep the Track.
Ought to make II In an hour, however.
n everything goes right. Live in Sheri-
Aau?"
She shook her head. uncertain how
frankly to answer.
N loss to you-worst place to live
Ia on earth-no exceptions know
been there myself three months-got
friends there likely"
u hardly know she acknowledged
d~oubtfully. II 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
Aouse?"
The man wheeled about. until he
could look at her more clearly.
rnats q pretty hard commission. |
MISS" ne returned ~uneasily. There
pay be such . place In Sheridan. hut
nave never found It. Old Motser
Snattuck keeps roomers. but she
Won't have 4 oma In the house.
reckon you'll have to try II At tho
notel-IM get you In there n h.vs
mesmerize the clerk-youu nnd II
q bit noisy though"
"oh. thank you 20 much. don,
eind the noise. 20 It Ia respectahl.-
He laughed. good humoredlv
We'll. don't propose to vo,eh ,.r
Oat-the proprietor amt ont ~.
sor >his heaith-but, / reckon ynu
won't have NO serious trouh,s-,h.
hsys mostly know a good vom.n
when they soc ons-whlch ian, go
anyhow. they're liable to b. d.ccr,
slough as long a. l voucn for YOU
But you know nothing OF me-
Don't need ts-your faoe "a ano,.s
: I'll set you the room ell r.Eht.-
She hasita,ed. tksn asked:
xrS y0u=-ars yUu c6nasctss vs>
Ne railroad?"
In a way. yos-I'm the contnr>
sgrgeon-haA 70 dag . bullet cut =
vaesrtaak t<aesr back yondsr-IA
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