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The Girl at the Halfway House - A Story of the Plains by Emerson Hough
page 43 of 298 (14%)
town, all right. Lots on the main street there sold for three hundred
dollars last week. You see, old man Plum has got it figgered out that
his town is right in the middle of the United States, ary way you measure
it. We claim the same thing for Ellisville, and there you are. We've
got the railroad, and they've got my stage line. There can't no one tell
yet which is goin' to get the bulge on the other. If you want to go down
there, come over and I'll fix you up."

Franklin replied that he would be glad to do so in case he had the need,
and was about to turn away. He was interrupted by the other, who stopped
him with an explosive "Say!"

"Yes," said Franklin.

"Did you notice that girl in the dining room, pony-built like, slick,
black-haired, dark eyes--wears glasses? Say, that's the smoothest girl
west of the river. She's waitin', in the hotel here, but say"
(confidentially), "she taught school onct--yes, sir. You know, I'm gone
on that girl the worst way. If you get a chanct to put in a word for me,
you do it, won't you?"

Franklin was somewhat impressed with the swiftness of acquaintanceships
and of general affairs in this new land, but he retained his own
tactfulness and made polite assurances of aid should it become possible.

"I'd be mightily obliged," said his new-found friend. "Seems like I lose
my nerve every time I try to say a word to that girl. Now, I plum forgot
to ast you which way you was goin'. Do you want a team?"

"Thank you," said Franklin, "but I hardly think so. I want to find my
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