Los Angeles herald., 1891-10-27
WHAT MRS. JOHNNIE DID

Whatever you do, don't take the
1910" Tom had said, when at breakfast
Mrs. Johnnie declared her intention of
running up to town. cts slow and
awfully dusty and there's generally a
rowdy crowd aboard. Wait for the 2:05
express"
But no sooner had Tom taken his de-
parture than Mrs. Johnnie decided to do
nothing of the sort. She was bustling
little body, forever on the go, and when
once an idea crept into that clever little
head of hers, she was inclined to carry
it through to finish in her own particu-
lar way.
Consequently, Mrs. Johnnie did take
the 1910 local, and within five minutes
time she was wishing devoutly that she
had followed Toms advice; for it was
hot and it was dusty, and they were
crawling along at snails pace, and
there were some rough looking custom
ers on board. and - well, oh dearl
After all, Tom did know what he was
talking about occasionally.
At the far end of the car a young
woman was sitting. She looked SO
young that one might almost have called
her child, in spite of the fact that her
pretty brown hair was twisted up on
the top of her head in vain imitation
of the latest fashion. And the Ito Mrs.
Johnnie) most atrocious fact that her
cheeks were covered with rouge.
Mrs. Johnnie gathered her belongings
together and set out to take possession
of the seat just in front of the young
girl, saying sotto voce to herself mean
while:
"It's really the most ridiculous sight l
ever saw. The child must be crazy. If
it were only an old woman of my age
(Mrs. Johnnie was rather fond of calling
herself an old woman, although she only
owned to being twenty-eight)-if it were
only an old woman of my age now, there
might be some excuse. But for child
like that, with the complexion of a
peach, why-why-it' perfectly prepos-
ferrous"
Mrs. Johnnie settled herself comfort
ably in the seat, and then, half turning,
she scrutinized the young girl at her
leisure She could do so without rude
ness, for the girl was gazing out of the
window, and her thoughts seemed to be
far away. "It's sweet little face"
thought Mrs. Johnnie, land don't care
if it is painted; it's innocent and trust
full Her dress fits her abominably, but
she has glorious pair of eyes. She's a
positive anomaly. I'm going to intro
duce myself"
The girl turned her head just at that
moment, and as their eyes met both of
them smiled, and each perceived for the
first time that the other wore the little
silver Maltese cross of the Kings Daugh-
ters. They needed no introduction after
that. Mrs. Johnnie moved into the seat
with her, and they were soon the best of
friends. 1t did not take Mrs. Johnnie
very long to gain the particulars of her
story. She had never been to the city
before, she said; indeed, except for some
little excursion now and then, she had
never left her home, which was in lit
tie village on the coast of Long Island.
She was SO glad to have some one to
talk to, for Of course she was feeling a
bit lonely. Then she told Mrs. Johnnie
that her name was Daisy-Daisy Hope
and that she was an orphan with just
one sister. Her name was Sophie, and
she was married now. They had always
been the very best of friends-she and
Sophie-until Dan Hackett came along
Nowadays. she added with sigh, Sophie
had eyes for no one but Dan
'fBut shan't mind it so much now,"
she added, suddenly Frightening up
again, "now that I'm going to be mar
ried too."
"Marriedp exclaimed Mrs. Johnnie
in astonishment. "You don't mean to
tell me sol When is it coming off, and
what's,his name?'
Eyes; we're going to be married right
away-&&Rck and me- This isn't very
much of a trousseau, is it?" she added,
with an expressive gesture toward her
old fashioned carpetbag and two paper
parcels "But Jack said that wouldn't
matter. He could fix me up when
came to town. He told me in his letter
not to bring anything along; my coun-
try dresses would never do for New
York, he said. So I've left them all at
home there, hanging up in my closet
all except my new pink one l got at
Easter. It's SO pretty | couldn't bear to
leave that behind. | guess it will do
for the mornings, now and then.
"But wasn't it awfully good of Jack,
though? He sent me this dress to wear
on the way up, and this diamond"
pointing to huge brooch that sparkled
at her throat, but which Mrs. Johnnie's
eyes pronounced to be very bad paste.
"And there was box of complexion
salve he sent me too. I've put some Of
it on just to please him, but can't say
that | like it very much. 1t itches SO
and feels horrid. Do all ladies paint in
New York;"
At another time Mrs. Johnnie would
have burst out laughing but just at
present matters were taking too serious a
turn. Mrs. Johnnie was beginning to
wonder very much.
"But when are you to be married, my
dearf" she asked hastily. "You haven't
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