The Snowflake herald., 1921-01-21
A NON-PARTIsAN NEWSPAPER
FIRST STOP, LADY"
BY MYRTA ALICE LITTLE.

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(G. 1920. by Mcclure Newspaper Syndicate.l
Little Mrs. Lane shaded her eyes
from the bright sunlight that flared
against the car windows, and tried to
discover whether the jolly train was
really nearing the station, or just halt
Ing for nothing. If only daughter had
told the timid little traveller how long
the trip to the city was.
Trembling fingers drew letter from
worn bag. Her spectacled eyes. sway
Ing to the motion Of the train, read:
"Mumsie Dearest: Hal has broken
our engagement or he let me break
It, I'm lonely and hurt, and | need
you | want to lay my head In your
lap and have you tell me why he did
It, | care so much, MumSie, and |
can't understand. | would come to
you, but there's my position. And
promised to tell you If | needed you
Just get on the morning train Gnd
get off at the first stop It's a big
place. You can't miss it. First stop,
and I'll meet you at Track 8. I'll
expect you Tuesday. MAZDA"
The white head bent lower over the
trim black dress, bobbed a bit from
side to side, pillowed itself against
the red velvet cushions. The blue eyes
quivered shut. Little Mrs. Lane was
asleep.
Then came a terrific jolt, crashing
bang of noise, and the train stopped
The door and both iron gates were
open, and the brakeman stood on the
ground at the right.
rs Benton the first stop, sirT qua
vered the weak little voice.
First stop, m lady, shouted the
brakeman signaling forward
So there was not a moment to lose.
Mrs Lane mustered all of her courage
and climbed down the steps at the
left. and stood. frightened little fig
ure on the ground that crunched with
cinders beneath her feet. The train
moved out So this was the big
place." but there was nothing in it.
Over the brown open country trot-
ted white horse drawing a buggy
A man was driving. He came near
er the patch of cinders, sighted
Mrs Lane, stopped, got down and be-
gan speaking as a woman might speak
to a child.
"How's this? Lost out on the ranch?
Well welll Wen have to see about
this"
Then little Mrs. Lane poured forth
part of her tale to him, about her
daughter in Benton sending for her
aad the trains first stop and the girls
not being there TO meet her, and her
being afraid, and would he please tell
her how to find her daughter.
you'd better come over to my shack.
first, little lady" said the man. you've
got off some 20 miles by rail this side
of Benton"
''And it Sin't Benton? I didn't get
of right? He meant the next stop
was Benton, and he didn't call this
stop at all?" trembled the puzzled
voice. 'This amt no place at all, sirT'
The man smiled. "It's not your
fault. Ger into this rig here and I'll
drive you over to the shack. give you
some tea and get word to your daugh-
ter somehow, and Wen take the next
train. Hows that?"
Over the tea the little guests con-
fdence increased in feeble wisps But
her wOnderangs about MAZDA grew and
size voiced them.
"She's sNch an independent girl. sir,
is Mazda" she quavered. "She's never
willing to rest too hard on other folks.
expect that's the trouble with the
man that let her give him up. | amt
never seen him. But likely he decided
that she Was unfeelin' when she was
tryin' to be strong for the two of en.
Ain't SO6 0rinkIn' no tea, sir? srwoOld
steady your nerves. mayhap. Mazda
Lane Is what / call a thoroughbred
SO to speak, IL she Is my girl!'
The man sprang to his feet. "rll
tell you what III do, little lady" he
said. "pll take my car and drive yOu
into town the short cut over the hills
The old eyes lightened. You're aw.
ful kind to q stranger" said Mrs. Lane.
.T was coming On track g.
"Glad to help you get there. Lone
some out here. Came out myself tc
forget
During the drive the man was ST.
,on+ The little lady drowsed among
tho cushions he had piled for her. JUS
- +bov came in sight of the station
che awoke. And surely that was
Maida walking briskly toward track
Q The mans halloo stopped her, but
sho evidently saw her mother before