Miss Fairchild, a sophisticated young woman, was journeying to Washington via train. When the train made a scheduled

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Miss Fairchild, a sophisticated young woman, was journeying to Washington via train. When the train made a scheduled stop at Denver, Miss Fairchild observed the bustling crowd of passengers, anxiously rushing to board the train. Just as the final whistle sounded, two individuals claimed the last available seats across from Miss Fairchild. The first newcomer, a stoutly built individual in unkempt attire, cast a somber glance towards Miss Fairchild. The second newcomer, a charming and handsome young man, displayed courteous manners and warmly smiled at Miss Fairchild. To her delight, she recognized the latter as a family acquaintance. In return, Miss Fairchild returned the smile to the young man. "So,
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, Miss Fairchild found herself engaged in a conversation with the handsome young man throughout the journey. They discussed various topics, shared their experiences, and developed a connection.

At one point during their conversation, the young man asked Miss Fairchild a riddle:

"I am taken from a mine, and shut up in a wooden case, from which I am never released. A key is used to unlock me, yet the key can never touch me. What am I?"

Miss Fairchild pondered over the riddle for a moment and then smiled confidently as she figured out the answer. She replied, "You must be talking about a pencil!"

Her answer impressed the young man, and he congratulated her on solving the riddle correctly. Miss Fairchild felt a sense of accomplishment and turned to the young man, curious to know if he had any riddles or puzzles to share.

With a mischievous grin, the young man presented her with another challenge:

"I am a word of five letters. Take away two letters from me, and I remain the same. Take away one more letter, and I still remain unchanged. What word am I?"

Miss Fairchild analyzed the puzzle carefully, going through various combinations in her mind. After some reflection, she confidently answered, "The word must be "empty"!"

The young man smiled and praised her problem-solving skills. Miss Fairchild was thrilled to have successfully tackled the riddle and thoroughly enjoyed their playful exchange of intellect.

Throughout the journey, Miss Fairchild and the young man continued to connect and engage in stimulating conversations. They discovered shared interests and bonded over their love for literature, art, and music. The train ride became a memorable experience for Miss Fairchild, thanks to the charming young man"s company.

As the train approached Washington, they exchanged contact information, promising to stay in touch. Miss Fairchild bid farewell to her newfound friend with a sense of gratitude and excitement for the future.

In summary, Miss Fairchild"s train journey to Washington took an unexpected turn when she encountered two different individuals claiming the last available seats. She engaged in a delightful conversation with a charming young man, solving riddles and puzzles together. Their interaction made the journey enjoyable, and they parted ways with the promise of staying connected.