Ribbons of Steel by Carol Henry Page A

got to the endless flats of Nebraska and Wyoming the next day, Emily was past caring what the outside vistas held in store. Others on the train became restless, too. Mrs. Aderley and her children were in conversation, and even she looked annoyed.
    Having had enough of the confinement of the sitting car, Emily stood, gathered her gingham skirt with one hand, and using the other, balanced herself against the rocking of the train on her way to the observation car. Careful so as not to trip down the carpeted aisle, she made her way toward the back of the coach, not an easy feat with the swaying of the train.
    The older gentleman with a long gray beard and mustache she’d learned was a Mr. O’Leary, sat hunched against the window, his hat down over his eyes at a comical angle. As Emily passed him, she clutched the back of his seat for support. Just then the man snorted, and her hand flew to her bosom. Lord, was she ever going to survive this trip?
    She hadn’t paid much attention to the other passengers, but she took the time now to observe a few of them. This man’s hat had ridden even farther down over his face, and his snoring was making the cap flap up and down. Catching her balance, she once more made her way to the observation car. This time her eyes settled on Mrs. Young who was trying to pacify her infant, now crying loud enough to wake the dead. So much for a contented baby. Head bent, the young mother nuzzled the infant, cooing in a vain attempt to quiet her child. Emily resisted the urge to comfort the babe herself.
    The narrow passage between cars rocked back and forth over the couplings of the train as it clacked along the tracks, making walking between the cars dangerous. Emily looked straight ahead and made her way over the length between the cars. The breeze from the open car tugged at her hair. She brushed at the errant tendrils as they sprang loose from under her bonnet. She took in a deep, steadying breath and sank into one of the observation seats where she was afforded an unobstructed view of the Wasatch Rocky Range.
    “We’re just north of Salt Lake City,” Marian said from behind her. “Just look at those snow-capped mountains. Aren’t they majestic? I hope you don’t mind my joining you. I decided I needed some fresh air.”
    Emily rested her arms alongside the open window and leaned her chin on them for support. The sight was wondrous. Although the majestic mountain tops were covered in snow, the desert they passed through bloomed in a rainbow of colors. Instead of seeing herds of bison she’d anticipated, prairie dogs popped in and out of holes and frolicked everywhere. And the weather had changed. No longer cool or damp, the dry, warm air relaxed her. The desert, despite the delicate, wispy flowers, looked as if it hadn’t seen rain in months.
    Emily breathed in the fresh scents; warm and filling the senses, a welcome change from the stuffy, odorous passenger car. The smell of the kerosene lanterns had become nauseating over the past several days. Would she ever get the odor out of her clothes? They were sure to reek for months.
    The Aderley boys had followed their mother, as well, and were leaning over the side of the car, counting the prairie dogs. Up ahead, Emily spotted a huge wooden trestle in the bend of the tracks. They would soon be going over the bridge. A frightening-looking contraption, the trestle resembled corn stalks and bean poles in late harvest. Was it safe? Sturdy enough to carry the long, heavy, iron locomotive as it thundered along the tracks? Why, there had to be at least a mile long drop off to the canyon floor on either side.
    Jason and Jonathan spotted the canyon and jumped up and down as they pointed with glee. Their words and laughter were drowned out over the roar of the train as it sped along the rails.
    Emily stood, ready to go back inside, then turned to let Marian know of her intentions.
    “Marian, I... Marian! ” Emily exclaimed. The woman frowned, her cheeks