n came through the window and shed its bright warm
rays upon her hair and he revived a bit when he discovered there the
warmth and color and glow of the southland. She put down her book and
walked down the aisle; then he saw that her figure, though tall and
slender, possessed a freedom of movement, healthy vigor and curves that
told of a clean and vigorous life from early girlhood. When she
returned to her seat he studied her face with care and knew it as the
one he had seen in his dreams for years and each time had yearned to
kiss.

At one of the stops a knight of the road, whose business was selling
women's ready-to-wear garments, came into the car and walked down the
aisle past several vacant sections to number 10, where, pausing, he said
complacently;

"Miss, may I occupy the forward seat of your compartment, until the
conductor assigns me one?"

"Certainly, the space is unoccupied."

"You probably find it tiresome traveling alone?"

"I usually find it more comfortable without company."

"Are you traveling far?"

This question the lady seemed not to hear, but rang the bell for the
porter.

"Porter, please tell the conductor I wish to speak to him."

"Conductor, this gentleman has expressed a wish to be assigned a seat;
he probably desires one in another section."

"There's plenty of room; I told him as he came in to occupy number 4.
'Porter, put this gentleman's baggage in number 4.' This is number 10;
yours is the third section forward."

Another half hour passed. John opening his handbag, took out some
papers; then, reversing the end, moved it so the bag protruded slightly
from under the arm-rest into the aisle. He took the forward seat and
read a while; then, resting his head against the window frame, pretended
to sleep.

The young lady finished her book. She looked out her window until the
view was blotted out by the nearness of the hillside; then indolently
turned and glanced out the opposite window at the swiftly running little
river and a narrow valley hemmed about by timbered hills. Then her
glance rested for a moment on the protruding handbag, and she read;
"John Cornwall, Harlan, Ky."

There was an exclamation of surprise; a slight blush of anticipation; a
look of joy; and she glanced up into the face of the sleeper, whose
dreams were evidently pleasant as he slightly smiled. She saw a man past
thirty, of strong and thoughtful face, whose hair was slightly thinning
over the temples. The d