"I think so, but I shall have to hunt some place in which to stay to-night.

Can you tell me of some--some respectable hotel, or boarding house ?" The man wheeled about, until he could look at her more clearly.
"That's a pretty hard commission, Miss," he returned uneasily: "There may be such a place in Sheridan, but I have never found it.

Old Mother Shattuck keeps roomers, but she won't have a woman in the house.

I reckon you 'll have to try it at the hotel--I'll get you in there if I have to mesmerize the clerk--you'll find it a bit noisy though." "Oh, I thank you so much.

I don't mind the noise, so it is respectable." He laughed, good humoredly.
"Well I don't propose to vouch for that--the proprietor ain't out there for his health--but, I reckon, you won't have no serious trouble--the boys mostly know a good woman when they see one--which isn't often--anyhow, they're liable to be decent enough as long as I vouch for you." "But you know nothing of me." "Don't need to--your face is enough--I'll get you the room all right." She hesitated, then asked: "Are you--are you connected with the railroad?
?' "In a way, yes--I'm the contract surgeon--had to dig a bullet out of a water-tank tender back yonder--fellow howled as though I was killing him--no nerve--mighty poor stuff most of the riff-raff out here--ball wasn't in much below the skin--Indian must have plugged him from the top of the bluff--blame good shot too--ragged looking slug--like to see it ?" She shook her head energetically.
"Don't blame you--nothing very uncommon--get a dozen cases like it a day sometimes--stay in Sheridan, show you something worth while--very pretty surgical operation to-morrow--come round and get you if you care to see it--got to open the stomach--don't know what I'll find--like to go ?" "Oh, no! I'm sure you mean it all kindly, but--but I would rather not." "Hardly supposed you would--only knew one woman who cared for that sort of thing much--she was nursing for me during the war--had a hare lip and an eye like a dagger--good nurse though--rather have your kind round me--ever nurse any?
Could get you a dozen jobs in Sheridan--new prospects every night--fifty dollars a week--what do you say ?" "But I'm not seeking work, Doctor," smiling in spite of her bewilderment.