night.

When the cloud had wept away its fury, and electric fires burned low
in the far west, a gentle shower droned on the roof, and lulled by
its cadence Beryl fell asleep, still kneeling on the floor, with her
head resting on the chair where the cat lay coiled.

In dreams, she wandered with her father and brother upon a Tuscan
hillside draped with purple fruited grape vines, and Bertie was
crushing a luscious cluster against her thirsty lips, when some
noise startled her. Wide awake, she sprang to her feet, and
listened.

"There ain't no train till daylight, 'cepting it be the through
freight."

"When is that due?"

"Pretty soon; it's mighty nigh time now, but it don't stop here; it
goes on to the water tank, whar it blows for the railroad bridge."

"How far is the bridge?"

"Only a short piece down the track, after you pass the tank."

Beryl had rushed to the window, and looked out, but no one was
visible. She could scarcely mistake that peculiar voice, and was so
assured of its identity, that she ran out under the awning and
looked up and down the platform in front of the station buildings.
The rain had ceased, but drops still pattered from the tin roof, and