The wire to Aunt Adelaide ran:


"Practically at end of journey. Take stage to Lost Trail this
morning. Am well. Don’t worry about me.

"MARY."


And the telegraph operator, dimly remembering that he had heard Lost Trail
was a "pizen mean country," and that it was tucked some two hundred miles
back in the foot-hills, did not find it very hard to forgive the girl, who
was "practically at end of journey," particularly as the dimple had come
out of hiding, and he had never been called upon to telegraph the word
"practically" before. He was a progressive man and liked to extend his
experiences.

After sending the telegram, Miss Carmichael, quite herself by reason of
the hill air, felt that she was getting along famously as a traveller, but
that it was an expensive business, and she was glad to be "practically" at
the end of her journey. And, drawing from her pocket a square envelope of
heavy Irish linen, a little worn from much reading, but primarily an
envelope that bespoke elegance of taste on the part of her correspondent,
she read:


"LOST TRAIL, WYOMING.

"My Dear Miss Carmichael,—Pray let me assure you of my