The Lamar register., 1919-10-15


on a rude board bench at the side of
an abandoned switch shanty. her hand
supporting her head and enneshed in a
mass OF loose golden tresses. the girl,
fast asleep, wore smile upon her
face as though her dreams were pleas
ant ones.
She could not have been over eight
cen and her worn and ragged shoes
and crinkled ribbons were not in ac-
cord with the general neatness OF her
attire. A man lurched by, young
like herself. paused and stared hard.
swell. this is new one !" he NUT
tered. II say, little one, wake up.
This old switch yard is no place for
you"
He had touched one hand lying
loosely over the edge OF the bench.
The girl aroused so magically quick
and her big blue eyes opened 50 wide
and challenging that Myron Trask re-
treated step or two.
THAT is the 6 Is western dispatch.
Isn't it-can you tell me?"
81 can" nodded Trask. "but what
have you to do with the 6:15?"
'To get into an empty car. II goes
to Merlden. my home town. and that Is
the only way, unless | walk"
81 see you have done something In
that line already" suggested Trask.
glancing at her broken shoes, one heel
less and Its side ripped by rail spln-
ter, the other with a tapping sole.
"Yes. clear from Chicago. / can't go
bsrefooted as | will soon be II keep
on tramping. SO was going to steal
my way"
Myron Trnsk took silent survey OF
the forlorn little figure. He steadled
himself erect and breathed hard
through compressed lips. "See here
Miss" he said finally. 81 had a sister
once. and you've set me thinking. Tell
me little about yourself and maybe
| can help you on your way"
"why. yes. Ill tell you all about H.
said the girl with ingenious frank
ness. MY name Is Irma DslzIel. I
have been filling a little speaking part
in Hearts and Homes Good people
they were. from the manager down.
ran away from home to Join them.
They went to pieces last week and
there wasn't enough left to pay car
fare. I've written father and mother
that l am through with my foolish
dream OF becoming q great actress
and am on my way back to the denr
old place I'll never leave again. Oh
never-never-neverw
So longing. so intense. so rapturous
~.
did they frame within the mentality OF
Myron Trask. that he seemed to covet
such paradise Of relief and JOY. rs
II for himself. for Trask was on the
seat OF contrition and repentance at
the present time.
"Strange. Miss" he said In an uncer-
tain tone. "but you and ! seem TO be
In the same boat. ! got my dismissal
from service last week for going on o
bout with the crowd. The road may
or may not take me back. hut no more
OF the reckless and silly for me. I've
got no money. but the hotel will give
Myron Trask anything he wants. and
you're going to 60 there with me and
get a good meal. Then you are going
TO the depot and walt for the s:i5
passenger. I'll put you In charge Of
old Boyd Wesley. the conductor. Hen
see you onto the branch at Aberdeen.
At that terminus you'll have only fifty
six miles on the Northern. And wher
you get back TO your dear little home.
stay there. and once In n while think
OF the railroad lads. rough and ready.
and sometimes reckless. but with
hearts as big rs pumpkins when they
see woman needing help"
"why you almost make me cry"
said Irma soberly. YOU'D make a star
hit on the stage with such a human
interest speech as that. I'll never for
get you"
Maybe I'd have made better rec
ord and kept straight II ! had been
lucky enough 10 run across girl like
YOU" said Myron. with a slight catch
in his voice, as he bade her goodby
at the depot. "Show this card to what
,ver conductor you run across" and
he handed her bit Of pasteboard
upon which he had scrawled few
words. "rm not much just now. but
my name will go as far as that of
the president Of the road with my true
pals"
sudden rush OF tears came to the
ewes of Irma as she clasped the hand
of her benefactor. She leaned towards
~