Her brother looked upon her tolerantly.
"Keep it up, Floss. It never fazed you to ask favors, and you ain't run down yet."
"It's a shame," she stormed. "Just look at this little shed! Why, even a cross-road blacksmith shop is better."
He looked around appraisingly.
"I reckon it'll house all Ellis's business," he commented.
"Ellis," she flashed, "tell William about the railroad."
Ellis came from the inside office. He generally withdrew from the conferences between Flossy and her brother.
"Wat Harlow told me that two of the big railroad systems have entered into a joint arrangement to shorten their mileage, on through trains to the West. He's got it all fixed for the new track to pass through Bloomtown. It will give us all the benefit of two railroads."
"You see," said Flossy triumphantly, "the town will boom. People will move in, and a first-class newspaper will be the greatest asset."
"I think that the town will take a big start," assured Ellis. "The boys will have all they can do with job work, and the office is small for our present needs."