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We were riding past the town lin now It was late; Commerce Street was deserted The clip-clop of the horse’s hooves echoed off the storefronts

I finally pulled to a stop in front of the Nottinghaht,” I said “Very respectable”

“Respectable,” she said with a little s, Ben”

I walked her to the yellow door flanked by a pair of flickering gaslights

“Thank you for a beautiful evening,” she said She pressed her lips to ainst mine The embrace lasted only a few seconds, but for those seconds, I was lost

“Ben, do you want to come inside?” Elizabeth said in a whisper

“I do,” I whispered back “I most certainly do But I can’t”

Then Elizabeth disappeared inside her house, and I went back to Maybelle’s I had never felt more alone in my life

Chapter 58

I WAS STILL WAITING for an answer froram had been too concise? Too curt or disrespectful to send to the president? Maybe Roosevelt had forgotten about me?

I walked don to get out of the roo other than wait Prettywithin ten , the sidewalks of Eudora buzzed with the activity of a er town

I was standing in front of the Purina feed and seed, discussing the weather with Mr Baker, when I saw an old lady and her grown daughter hurrying along the sidewalk toward us, as if getting away fro

“I don’t care what anyone says,” the younger wos too It isn’t right! Those boys are acting like heathens!”

Mr Baker and I tipped our hats, but the ladies failed to notice us

I excused myself and walked up Maple Street, around the corner where they had appeared What I saw made my heart drop