1
CHICAGO!
Felix Fay saw with his mind’s eye the map on the wall of the railway station—the map with a picture of iron roads from all over the middle west centering in a dark blotch in the corner.
He was sitting at a desk in the office of the Port Royal Daily Record, writing headings on sheaves of items sent in by country correspondents.
John Hoffman has finished his new barn.
Born to Mr. and Mrs. Elbert Hayes last Wednesday a fine ten pound boy.
Miss Edythe Brush has returned to the State Normal for the fall term.
And so on.
Felix wrote at the top of the page, Wheaton Whittlings. A rotten heading—but it would have to do. He yawned, and then stared unseeingly at the next page.
He was not thinking about those news-items. He was thinking about Chicago....
A year ago, he had determined to leave Port Royal forever—and go to Chicago.
But here he was, still!