The Nezperce herald. (Nezperce, Idaho) 1900-1957, 1916-11-09
The Lack
OF a Nickel
And a Dilemma and Is
SOlutiOn-
By JOHN HAzEN HASKELL

nc %1F SEP u tA1 C4Gt1Acl STATION
just as the northbound express pull
ed out He vas already five min-
utes late TO a dinner engagement,
and he could have made it in ten Il
he could have caught that express.
He had visions Of q pretty little
woman IN a violet col0red evening
gown tapping an inpatient foot on
the oriental rug IN the corner Of the
library and wondering at the delay
Of her invited guest.
He also had visions Of another
woman whom be dearly loved and
who, he had every reason to be-
lieFe, used to regard him With the
tenderest Of feelings. And it was
TO relieve his mind Of the misery
that this latter vision coniured up
that be banished it as hastily as he
could and turned his attention to
the matter in hand, that Of getting
to his destination With as little loss
Of time as possible. So he turned to
scan the tracks for the approach Of
the next train.
An empty express whizzed By on
the other track on its wav down
town; then q southbound local pull
ed in on the opposite side, unloaded
q passenger and went on its way.
The passenger was a tall GIRL In
gray, with a fluffy gray fur about
her face and a big black hat-the
dim light and the distance across
tracks between revealed no more to
Holloway.
She did not leave the platform,
but sat down on the edge Of a bench
IN the uneasy way Of some one Who
does not expect to stay long.
Waiting for some one" said
Holloway. He thought she must be
pretty and wondered what color the
hair under that big hat was.
Three or four minutes passed.
The pair, divided by the gIistening
lines Of rails, eyed each other Gov
ertIy and tried to look unconscious.
The girls foot was tapping the floor,
and she turned at every sound to
peer down the stairs At last she
leaned forward and called across the
ehasm:
Pardon me, sir Can You tell
me what time it Isl"
Holloway stopped suddenly in his
walk That voice had a familiar
sound. He consulted his watch.
certainly. It is now ten min
utes past :, /" be called back.
He heard the girl gasp, whether
n surprise at the hour or IN recog-
lition of his voice be could not tell |
Thank you," she said after q sec
md, then silence, and another emp
y express Whizzed BY.
After awhile she spoke again.
Have you been here long? she
sked.
Seven minutes OF 90"
did ron happen-that is, Won
you see-a-a-gentIe-
nan waiting here ?"
Holloway was sure Of the voice
ow and also that she did not rec
gnize him. no; ] am sorry to say
have not. You are waiting for
1me ones7
@Yes, but / am a little late,
ar. Are you quite sure your
atch is quite rights"
"Quite so, I'm afraid. II was
it'll official time at ["
Thank you just the same" she
id and sighed.
Halloway's express pulled In, and, +
the vision Of an irate
,stess, he let it 90 without him.
hen the train had gone and the
RI saw him still there she sat mp :
~ straight.
Wasn't that your train - she ,
ked, with suspicion.
Why, yes-no-that is, l am n
aiting for some one also" be lied n
eerfully. b
A long silence followed. Trains V
me and went; passengers alighted 81
d disappeared down the stairs;
eater goers began to arrive and "
due time we're carried on to the !,
y. Still no man came to meet z
e girl, and still Holloway paced
9 platform. He had let two ex-
ess trains 60 by now, and he
amt to stay till he saw the girl
o aboard downtown train; also
burned with an 0thello-like de-
9 to see who the gentleman"
ght be.
|Eheu ence more they had the :