The Argosy, Vol. 84 No. 1 — page 96: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

86 “When is the next train back to the junction?” Dr. Jackman speke with an indignant gasp. “4.40 AM.” The man at the ticket- window eyed the strangers curiously. ‘Where can I get a rig to take me to a hotel?” he next demanded. “There ain’t no hotel nearer ’n Coates- ville, next place up the road,” said the man; ‘“ but you'll find that an A No. 1 hotel—none better ’n it this side Phoenix. And Coatesville’s got more to see in the way of interest to strangers.” “T don’t want to see Coatesville or Phoenix, or any other fool town around here,” broke in Dr. Jackman hotly. “I only want a place to stay till the first train back to the city.” Joyce stifled a cry. Go back to the big lonely brownstone house — give up her dear Christmas—her dreams— “T wonder if I can stand it.” She pressed her hand tightly against her heart to stop the hurt. It was growing bigger and bigger with the pain. Per- haps in time it would break. But it didn’t, and after a while she found herself listening again. ~The man at the ticket-window was phoning. “Get around to the station as soon as you can. To the Continental at Coates- ville—yes, two passengers.” As the man hung up the receiver Dr. Jackman handed him a piece of paper on which he had been writing. ‘““T want this telegram sent.” The man read aloud: “ Delayed by storm. Will return home.” Joyce did not stop to hear more. She felt her way blindly along the station platform. Her eyes were burning with hot tears. | “T’m acting like a baby,” and she wiped her eyes impatiently. It had stopped snowing. In the clear atmosphere the stars sparkled brilliantly. Did one star outshine the others? “On earth peace—” Joyce looked at the countryside all purely white in its new snow dress. THE ARGOSY. “Good will toward men.” ‘““T hope the little rascals are enjoying _the sandwiches,” and Joyce gave a trem- ulous laugh. II. “It’s no use!” said the driver. ‘Do you expect to leave us here in the middle of the road for the rest of the night?” demanded Dr. Jackman. “It’s ‘the drifts,” explained the driver; ‘““we never can get through to Coatesville to-night.” “Tl give you double the price you asked,” said Dr. Jackman. . “Td like to, all right, but it’s a bigger risk than I’m willing to take,” replied the driver. ‘“ ’Twould be just shoveling out of one drift and into another. You wouldn’t care about the trip lasting a couple of days, I reckon?” “A town without a hotel and no way of getting to one ought to be wiped out of existence.” Dr. Jackman’s voice sound- ed as if he meant to perform the deed at his earliest convenience. Silence followed, broken by the doc- tor’s: “ Well!” “I wonder if the people in that cot- tage would take us in, just for the night.” Joyce motioned toward a small house whose light twinkled hospitably. ‘“ We simply can’t stay here or we’d freeze to death.” “By all means ask them. The people of this region are not slow at finding ex- cuses.” Dr. Jackman glared fiercely at the driver. Before the latter could reply, Joyce broke in: “ Even if they refuse we won’t be any worse off than we are now.” She started to get out of the sleigh but the driver stopped her. _ “ The snow that’s drifted into the road ahead has blown off Widow Miullens’s yard. I think I can drive right up to the kitchen.” The sleigh stopped not far from the door. As the bells on the horses ceased their merry jingle the door flew open and ~a child’s voice cried: < EOPNICGLOOOKS (E@)