The Kansas City sun. (Kansas City, Mo.) 1908-1924, 1914-09-26

There was a little worried, annoyed
frown between his eyes. He laid a
protecting hand on his mothers arm.
Emma McChesney was conscious OF
a little thrill Of pride as she realized
that he did not have to look up to meet
her gaze.
Lock here, mother, they tell me
there's some sort Of a convention here,
and the towns packed. That's what
all those banners and things were for.
l hope they've got something decent
for us here. l came up with a man
who said he didn't think there was a
hole left to sleep In"
you don't say!" exclaimed Emma
McChesney, and turned to the clerk.
This is my son, Jock McChesney-
Mr., Sims. Is this true?'
Glad to know you, sir" said Mr..
Sims. Why, yes, I'm afraid we are
pretty well filled up, but seeing it's
o maybe we can do something for
you"
He Illuminated. tapping his teeth
with a penholder, and eying the pair
before him with a maddening blank
ness Of gaze. Finally:
III do my best, but you can't ex-
pect much. l guess l can squeez
another cot into eighty-seven for the
young man.. There's-let's see now
who's in eighty-seven? Well, there's
two Bisons in the double bed, and one
in the single, and Fat Ed Meyers in
the cot and"
Emma McChesney stiffened into
acute attention. "Meyers?" she inter.
rupted. DO you mean Ed Meyers of
the Strauss Sans-silk Skirt company
That's so. You two are in the
same line, aren't you? He's a great
little piano player, Ed is. Ever heal
him play?"
When did he get in?"
"Oh, he just came in fifteen minutes
ago on the Ashland division. He's in
at supper"
Oh said Emma McChesney. The
TWO letters breathed relief.
But relief had no place in the voice.
or on the countenance of Jock McChes.
ney. He bristled with belligerence.
This cattle-car style of sleeping
don't make a hit. l haven't had a
decent nights rest for three nights.
never could sleep on a sleeper. Can't
you fix us up better than that?"
BEST l can do"
but where's mother going? I see
you advertise. three large and COM
modious steam-heated sample rooms
In connection l suppose mothers due
to sleep on one Of the tables there"
Jock" Emma McChesney reproved
him, Mr.. Sims is doing us a great
favor. There isn't another hotel in
town that would"
You're right, there isn't" agreed
Mr.. Sims. Il guess the young man is
new to this travelling game. AS
said, Id like to accommodate you, but
- Let's see now. Tell you what I'll
do. If l a get the housekeeper to
go over and sleep in the maids quar-
tiers just for tonight, you can use her
room. There you are! OF course,
it's over the kitchen, and there may
be some little noise early in the morn
ing"
Emma McChesney raised a protest.
ing hand. Don't mention it. Just
lead me thither. I'm so tired / could
sleep in an excursion special that was
switching at Pittsburgh. Jock, me
child, we're in luck. That's twice in
the same place. The first time was
when we were inspired to eat our
supper on the diner instead of wait
ing until we reached here to take the
l%eftovers from the Bisons' grazing. ]
hope that housekeeper hasn't a pic
ture of her departed husband dan
Cling, life-size, on the wall at the foot
Of the bed. But they always have
Goodnight, son Don't let the Bisons
bite you. I'll be up at seven"
But 1t was Just $50 a. m. wher
Emma McChesney turned the little
bend In the stairway that led to the
office. The scrub-woman was still ii
possession. The cigar-counter girl hat
not yet made her appearance. There
was about the place a general air Of
the night before. All but the night
clerk. He was as spruce and trim
and alert and smooth-shaven as only
a night clerk car be after a nights
vigil.
Morning." Emma McChesney
called to him, She wore blue serge.
and a smart fall hat. The late autumn
morning was not crisper and SUMMER
than she.
"Good-morning, Mrs. McChesney,'
returned Mr.. Sims, generously. Have
a good nights sleep? l hope the
kitchen noise didn't wake you"
Emma McChesney paused with hel
hand on the door. Kitchen? oh, no
l could sleep through a vaudeville
c~hina-juggling act. But-what an ex
traordinarily unpleasant-looking maj
that housekeeper's husband must have
been"
That November morning boosted al
those qualities which November-morn
ing writer's are so prone to bestoW
upon the month. But the words wine
and sparkle, and sting, and glow, ant
snap do not seem to cover it. Emma
McChesney stood on the bottom step
looking up and down Main street anC
breathing In great draughts Of tina
unadjectivable air. Her complexion