Iron County record. [volume] (Cedar City, Utah) 1893-1982, 1921-01-07
FIRST STOP, LADY"
By MYRTA ALICE LITTLE.

&c. 1870. BY Mcclure Newspaper Syndicate
Little Mrs. Lane shaded her ewes
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 timld little traveller how long
the trip TO the city was.
Trembling fingers drew letter from
a worn bag. Her specialized eyes. sway
Ing TO the motion Of the train, read
"Mumsle Dearest: Hal has broken
our engagement or he let me break
IL. I'm lonely and hurt, and l 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 II l needed you.
Just get on the morning train end
get off at the first stop. It's big
place You can't miss 1t. First stop,
and I'll meet you at Track o. I'll
expect you Tuesday. MAZDA"
The white head bent lower over the
trim black dress, bobbed q bit from
side to side, pillowed itself against
the red velvet cushions. The blue eyes
quvered shut. Little Mrs. Lane was
asleep.
Then came a terrific Jolt, a 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, sir2" qua
vered The weak little voice.
First stop, m lady," shouted the
brakeman, signaling forward.
SO there was not q 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 n woman might speak
to child.
Allows this7 Lost out on the ranch ?
Well we'll Wen have to see about
this"
Then little Mrs. Lane poured forth a
part of her tale to him, about her
daughter in Benton sending for her
and 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 ain't Benton? l didn't get
Off right? He meant the next stop
was Benton, and he didn't call this a
stop at all?" trembled the puzzled
voice. "ThIs amt no place at all, slr?"
The man smiled. Its not your
fault. Ger into this rig here and I'll
drive you over to the shack, give you
ter somehow. and Wen take the next
train. How's that?"
over the tea the little guests con
fidence increased In feeble wisps. But
her wonderlngs about MAZDA grew and
size voiced them.
"She's such an independent girl, sir,
is Malda." 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
tryln' TO be strong for the .wo Of 'em.
Amt you drinkin' no tea, sir? 'Twoud
steady your nerves, mayhap. Mazda
Lane is what l call a thoroughbred,
so to speak, If she is my grill"
The man sprang TO his feet. "Tll
tell you what I'll do. little lady" he
said. I'll take my car and drive you
into town the short cut over the hills"
The old eyes Iightened. You're aw-
full kind to stranger" said Mrs. Lane
~ was coming on track o."
"Glad TO help you get there. Lone
some out here. Came out myself to
forget"
During the drive the man was ST.
lent. The little lady drowsed among
the cushions he had piled for her. just
as they came In sight of the station
she awoke. And surely that was
Mazda walking briskly toward track
8. The mans halloo stopped her. but
she evidently saw her mother before
she saw him. She rushed toward hen
and took her in her arms.
81 got off at the wrong place, but
1t was the first stop. He's been awful
good to me-" said the mother. 81 dom
know his name"
Then Mazda looked, gave a SHARP
little cry and her pride and contro
gave way In one swift instant Bu
the mans arms were already about
her.
81 was a brute not to understand
when you wouldn't kiss me that nigh
and when you sent me home and tolt
me to stay. do understand now
Don't tell me. But / thought yoJ