"I understand you've traveled some in the West, Miss Beacon?" he said.
[Illustration]
"Why, yes; quite extensively. I've been through California, Arizona and
New Mexico, where I was shown all the wonderful sights."
"Did you ever see the Cherokee Strip?" he asked, anxious to tell of his
broad domain in that wonderland.
There was a painful silence, but finally she looked over her glasses at
him, and said:
"In the first place, sir, I deem your question exceedingly rude; and in
the second, you might have been more refined in your language by asking
me if I had ever seen the Cherokee disrobe."
Occupying a seat just in front of me in the Pullman, was a young
couple, evidently recently engaged.
Occasionally fragments of their conversation came to my ears, though I
give you my word I was not endeavoring to pry into their secrets.