The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1892-03-31

APuLMAN CAR WooiNc.

the Oakland mole.
Time $50 =. NJ.
Enter elderly gentleman. carrying small
valise and large hamper. Following him
Two ladies, evidently mother and daugh
ter. Daughter in dark blue travelling
costume, with large bunch of violets pin
ned to front Of Ler jacket; is a pretty
slender girl of about eighteen. Both lad
les with flowers, books and numerous
small parcels, which they deposit in sec
lion nearest middle of car. The follow
ing conversation ensues;
Ct dy-, 6ea~, | am really worried ovei
Your taking this trip alone. HAD yot
not better wait day or SO, to see II VI
can hunt some one up 10 accompany
your"
"Oh. no indeed, papa. 1t WAS unfort-
innate that Mr. Wl-on was taken i'll 20
suddenly This morning, so thai Mr.. vii
son could not 20 with Ele this afternoon
but you see I'll have to start to-day tt
reach OmahS in time fer Clara's wedding
especially as Pm to he brdemald. Yol
anu mamma must bot worry, for | shall
get along all right alone
In the meanwhile other passengers
colne in, and find their respective sec
tons. The engine toots warniugly. A
few more kisses ard buried Instructions
and papa and mamma are gone. Tn,
train moves off, slowly al first, then will
increasing speed carries her farther ano
farther sway from the two worried soul
she had just left.
Gladys felt little frightened at thu
prospect of this, her first long journey
alone, and kept her face turned TOWARD
the fasl-h>ing but uunoticed landscape
for the blue eyes behind the long vel
were blurred with tears.
Her thoughts flew back to her parents
now on the way to their hume in Sal
Francisco. She knew how much the
would mss her, the only child, though
she was going to stay only few week
with her Omaha friends. She thought
too, of some one else who-well, SOM
one who was also left in San Francisco
Finally, turning to inspect her fellow
travellers, she thought the few men ant
Two fussy old ladies' looked vely uninter
esting. Thrown carelessly in the section
opposite was valise and mans ulster
but the owner was not visible. She thei
turned her attention to the books, candy
and flowers piled up in front of her
She read, smiled over. and tucked away
in her bag, the cards and tiny sealeC
notes hidden i'll the candy boxes or at
tached to the bouquets.
Time passed, and with reckless little
yawu Gladys glanced at her watch anC
found IL after six. The porter just theI
announced that u stop will he made nov
al Sacramento for dinner.
Gladys thought OF the bother of un
10, tIxr ira IA
Just one al, disliked the idea Of going
out at the station alone, wished Mrs. vii
son had come, then decided to dine OIL
candy, as she WAS not very hungry.
At the moment familiar form camt
up the aisle, and in a second tall, hand
some, young man was standing near will
outstretched hand. A CLEAN of smuse
ment was in his dark eyes as he quietly
said, "How do you do, Gladys!'
A delicate pink colored her cheeks at
she shook hands, and answered him will
Il surprised and rather cool, why, Jack
where did you come from"
from ino pTi,5 hIisr ;; 5i;SSSsss, slsae;Se ise
been for the last three hours, ever sinCt
came in, and found you SO wrapped W
n the scenery you did not see me-" he re
piled; moving some books away and sit
Ting beside her in the most matter-of
course way.
"Where are you going, Jack2'
40 Omaha, Gladys
"What fory" asked she, suspiciously
Partly busness-partly pleasure
Business, to take care OF you; pleasure
to be with you, he answered conci.ely
Now, Jack, you know that is YER,
foolish, after"
',Las night, when you refused mt
again. Yes, know; but you SEE csu'i
help being foolish. Was born SO, guess,
said Jack, resignedly.
Dead silence followed this for about
iwo minutes. She locked ST. adily out Of
the window, while he gazed atsently a
he bald head Of q man few seats il
front.
Then he broke the silence by lesnine
toward her and saying in IL soft and per
-ussive tone, "Glsdyr, won't you recon
-der what You said last nightr'
Looking around nervously to see II
sny one could hear, she answered, No
.Iack-please don't 20 over that again, tor
1t won't do one bit of good
He looked disappointed; then picking
up her jacket, said, We'll, we're almost
% SACfhlutDtD' Aulht, lct us 10 out W
dinner
Gladys rose quickly, glad that she did
not have to dine on candy after all; and
while helping her with her coat, Jack
casually remarked:
You have lots Of flowers
'Yes, and these lovely violets-they
came this morning with no card attached
nut think Can thank you for them,
she said, looking up brightly at him.
A tender look came into his eyes as he
said, Yes, | sent them, aud I'm much
obliged TO you for wea ing them
Oh said Gladys, rather coolly, Il had
no preference. They matched my dress
- well-that is why wore them"
"Yes, see" assent,d he, as coolly
"Those cream roses would not look wei
with it at all, for instance.
Poor little violets, that last remark
caused their dethronement, for the Cir
with flush hastily and angrtly detach
ed them, saying, Come to think Of It
he roses would be far more effective,
and ,pinned few of the long -s'emmed
beauties in their place.
just as quickly Jack replaced the few