Los Angeles herald., 1890-12-14
A MODEL FILTRATION.
A RAILROAD EPISODE THAT ENDED
PLEASANTLY FOR ALL.

with Her righteousness.
l believe some fiirtations do a man
positive good. The same may possibly
be said of a woman, but being man
myself am not so sure about it.
l was recently returning to Kansas
City from an eastern trip. had trav-
eled two nights and a day, and my jour-
ney had been uneventful and tedious
enough. Twas in particularly suscep-
tible mood, think, and perhaps too
ready for any diversion that promised to
make the last day of my journey pleas
ant one
1t was at Roodhouse, Ills, l think,
that young lady of striking beauty
entered our car. Almost every avail
able seat was occupied. She came more
than half the distance of the car and
stopped opposite to me. | removed
package from the seat was occupying
and offered her place beside me. which
she at once accepted.
AS she sat down had good oppor-
tunity to note her appearance. She was
rather small and evidently quite young.
though she had manner and an eXt
preston of face that indicated knowledge
and culture beyond her apparent years.
She was exceedingly attractive. She
had an open, ingenious manner, an in
nocent soul that spoke Enthusiastically
through her dreamy blue eyes, and the
prettiest of red lips. Her hair was
golden and her complexion was perfect,
and she presented picture that almost
fascinated me,
UNCONSCIOUS FAMILIARITY.
cannot remember now how we be-
came acquainted. do not even remem-
Der the first words spoken. only re-
member that we were soon engaged in
an interesting conversation without any
feeling OF restraint or embarrassment.
On my part, at least, it was one of those
rare meetings where the stranger seemed
more like an old friend than new ac-
quaintance. She asked me many ques-
tions, which answered to the best of
my knowledge, and in turn piled her
with interrogatories on many different
subjects; for, while there was nothing
strikingly brilliant in her replies, she
had style Of expression and other indi-
Sddl dCIC1loUlCS VI Sp6tCu Oudt
made me want to hear her talk continu-
ously, and then she had an innocent and
yet appealing look that enhanced the in
terest tenfold.
We must have shown our sudden hk-
ing for each o:her, and yet no one SEEM
ed to take any heed of us, even though
we were in a railway car, where people
have little employment other than to
watch each other OF to fall asleep.
We became better acquainted and
more interested in each other. AS the
young lady grew enthusiastic over a
scene we were passing she laid her hand
which saw was lily white and dainty
ON my arm. nor did she seem conscious
of the act.
Some time afterward, in an animated
conversation. she leaned toward me un-
til her face was near to mine, and after
moment | discovered that her arm
was lying on my shoulders, though |
could not remember when she placed it
there. And what may seem stranger
still is that neither of us seemed at the
time to think that our conduct might be
improper or that any one would take
special notice of it,
There are some people who can ex-
press more mischief in a look than
Others could possibly put into caress.
| have already said enough to show that
thought no less of this young lady on
account of her conduct, which saw was
the outgrowth of innocence. On the
contrary was charmed by it.
SHE KISSED HIM AT PARTING.
Learned with much pleasure that my
new acquaintance would not leave the
car until we reached Odessa, which was
only an hours ride from my own desti-
nation Instead of longing for the end
to. come found myself consulting the
time table frequently and counting the
distance to Odessa. begrudging each
mile the engine made. had no other
motive than to make the most of this
acquaintance during the few hours to
which it was necessarily limited did
not even learn the young lady's full
name. incidentally learned that her
Christian name was Mabel, though | re-
member now having heard her speak of
herself rs Name.
That this unexpected meeting made a
great impression on us both you will bet
| ter understand when | describe our
parting. On reaching Odessa | accom-
panied her to the platform, where as
sured her of my feeling of obligation for
such happy day. She seemed equally
grateful to me. AS the bell rung for the
train to start turned to say good-by,
when to my surprise she put her arms
about my neck and kissed me. The ac-
tion was as innocent and, despite its ir-
regularity, as modest as if | had been a
brother There was not a sign of a
blush, and not word was spoken.
Somehow | felt no embarrassment on
account of what had happened AS
stepped on the moving train iet that
while we should probably never meet
again our acquaintance had been great
pleasure and a refining benefit to me.
l do not think that Irritation in gen.
eral should be encouraged. am sure
of it. Just what effect such meeting
and such proceeding as | have de-
scribed might have on girls of different
ages and temperaments | will not at
tempt to say But in this instance am
sure did no harm There is not the
slightest tinge of conscience as remem-
ber the trustful, innocent expression in