Promise me tomorrow by Unknown

certain of the sound. "I will leave my bag with you," she said at last, "and my key. If the train is ready I'll rush back and get the satchel."
    "All right. I'll have it right here behind the counter for you."
    "Has Mr. McCandles turned his key in? He's in number 15. "
    The man checked the box. "No, ma'am, no key."
    "All right. Thank you."
    Much as Rusty wanted to believe the whistle hadn't sounded, she still felt her heart beat a little faster as she left the hotel and started toward the train station. Things looked calm enough. Maybe she had dreamed the sound of the whistle. With a stride as long as she could manage, Rusty covered the distance rather swiftly, only to see long before she reached the platform that things were just as she'd left them. The train was still being worked on, and the platform was nearly empty. Rusty nearly shook her head. She had dreamed that whistle. With a wry smile at her own antics, she turned and bumped into someone who must have been standing directly behind her.
    "Excuse me," Rusty spoke, stepping back. She tipped her head to see a large, bearded man in front of her, his eyes fierce as they glowered out at her from under bushy brows. Rusty tried a small smile, but the man was so harsh-looking that she decided against speaking again. With subtle movements she scooted around him and back toward the hotel. It was a good reminder. She was a stranger in this town, not a local orphanage worker or the daughter of the school administrator. She had best get back to the hotel and stay there.
    ***
    Chase finished the small errand he'd set out to do and headed back through the hotel lobby toward the stairs. If the train couldn't leave, he'd found a nice spot for him and Rusty to have dinner that night. It was a small place with simple decor and would make a nice change from the hotel.
    "Mr. McCandles?" The desk manager's voice stopped him.
    Chase turned and approached.
    "Did the lady find you?"
    "Miss Taggart?"
    "Yes, the one in the other room you reserved. She thought she heard the whistle and went to check on the train."
    "No, I haven't seen her. You say she's left the hotel and not returned?"
    "That's right. Her key's still in the box."
    "Thank you. Should she come back and miss me again, please ask her to wait here at the hotel."
    "I'll do that, sir."
    His heart pounding a bit harder in his chest, Chase went back through the elaborate double doors and onto the street. He made a beeline for the train station, wondering what had made Rusty think she heard the whistle. Makepeace wasn't that big. He was sure the train whistle could be heard all over town.
    There was no sign of her at the station. Chase wandered around for a time and then started slowly back to the hotel, watching for her all the way. Makepeace was quiet and peaceful from all indications, but if that was the case, then why was Chase's heartrate increasing with nearly every step? He prayed, working to trust the Lord for Rusty's safety as well as use his head, and all the while hoping that she was already safely back at the hotel.
    ***
    Rusty's intentions were good. She had started to go swiftly back to the hotel, but she hadn't reckoned with the interesting things she would see in town. Partway to the hotel she had got it into her head to see if Makepeace had an orphanage. It would be such fun to visit. She inquired at the reading room, and was disappointed to discover that the town did not have a place for orphans. But she quickly became fascinated by the lovely window displays of the shops. Before she knew it, she had dawdled almost an hour away. When she suddenly realized how long she'd been gone, she felt a twinge of guilt. She knew the hotel was a block over, so rather than go around, she opted to cut between the buildings. There was a small path between a shoe store and the hat shop, so Rusty took it. The hotel would be in sight as soon as she came around the corner. What she didn't plan on was a group of young men gathered at the