easanter outlook than could be obtained from the door,
but the one dust-encrusted window gave a dim and indistinct view from that
quarter.

As if in answer to their wishes, Lancy speedily returned, and as they
gathered up their wraps Dexie asked:

"Do you know why they call this room the 'waiting-room,' Lancy? Give a
guess."

"Can't! I give it up," giving a glance around him.

"Well, I'll just tell you. This room has been 'waiting' for years for
someone to clean it, and that is how it has earned its name. Even the rusty
old stove has taken on the look of dejection that seems to haunt the
place."

Lancy was beginning to think that the little town had been very much
overpraised, as unfortunately the worst-looking part of it was situated
near the depot, and he felt disappointed and vexed that they had not been
able to continue their journey. His annoyance was increased when he learned
that there had been an excursion to the town the day before, crowding the
hotels, which had not yet recovered from the effects of the many
disturbances that had taken place inside their doors.

It was a new experience to the girls, this seeking a temporary home at a
public hotel, and the unpleasant features of hotel life, to which older
travellers shut their eyes, were to them unbearable.

Entering the parlor of the hotel to which he had been directed, Lancy told
the girls to be seated while he saw the proprietor; but the expression on
the faces of both girls gave Lancy some uneasy feelings, and Dexie's
uplifted nose told the cause of her disapproval.

"It will be no use for you to engage rooms here, Lancy," said she, "for if
all smells like this we won't stay."

"Well, I will just order a lunch, and we can decide about rooms later on."

This was found to have been a wise precaution, as the disgusting fumes of
stale tobacco-smoke and liquor, seemed to pervade every corner.

"It's no use being too particular, girls," said Lancy, as they rose from
the table, and re-entered the parlor, "we will not be here but a day or
two, you know."

"Well, but surely we can find some other place to stay in while we are
here. We don't want to appear at Mrs. Fremont's with our clothes smelling
like a bar-room!" said Dexie, rather sharply.

"Well, no doubt the next hotel will suit us better," and a few minutes
later they entered its door.

But it was quite evident, even to Lancy, that they had not bettered their
condition by going farther. The h