III

IN WHICH AN ITINERARY IS CHANGED


It was late breakfast time when the Transcontinental Limited swept
around the great curve in the eastern fringe of Denver, paused for a
registering moment at "yard limits," and went clattering in over the
switches to come to rest at the end of its long westward run on the
in-track at the Union Depot.

Having wired ahead to have his mail meet him at the yard limits
registering station, Winton was ready to make a dash for the telegraph
office the moment the train stopped.

"That is our wagon, over there on the narrow-gage," he said to Adams,
pointing out the waiting mountain train. "Have the porter transfer our
dunnage, and I'll be with you as soon as I can send a wire or two."

On the way across the broad platform he saw the yard crew cutting out
the Rosemary, and had a glimpse of Miss Virginia clinging to the
hand-rail and enjoying enthusiastically, he fancied, her first view of
the mighty hills to the westward.

The temptation to let the telegraphing wait while he went to say good
morning to her was strong, but he resisted it and hastened the more
for the hesitant thought. Nevertheless, when he reached the telegraph
office he found Mr. Somerville Darrah and his secretary there ahead of
him, and he observed that the explosive gentleman who presided over
the destinies of the Colorado and Grand River appeared to be in a more