Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-12-17
LOVES TRIU MPH
WRITTEN FOR THE EVENING STAR BY
RODNEY CLARKE.

RODNEY CLARKE.
~ THE DINING CAR
Of the New York and
81 ~ Chicago limited, at one
SSNA IN of the small tables near
S1E.TYtl the door Of the car, sat
an elderly gentleman
WsA IA SnN evidently enjoying his
k-KSNNESA- dinner very much. His
<nWsNT1. face had q very genial
W1t sa expression, and a merry
tVswSvE ~ twinkle in his eyes was
,QsTTM EWh made merrier by fire.
quent hbations from Q
bottle Of port with
which be seemed to be on excellent terms He
wore side whiskers, cut after he:English style,
and his hair was Of an iron-gray hue. His up
per lip was smooth, distinctly revealing to the
observer a mouth Of peculiar curving He was
rather q handsome man, and was so scrupu-
lously neat and carefully sttired that one was
apt to comment favorably upon him "a he
passed through the train. A closer and more
careful observation, however, rather tended to
tx the attention upon the workings Of his
mouth. That feature was delicstely formed,
q little large, perhaps, but remarkably flexible.
The lips were thin, and when In the position Of
a smile revealed . set Of perfectly formed teeth.
The smile was always inviting, winning-and
one would say, "In his home that dear old
gentleman must be too indulgent TO his loved
ones"-and when the smile vanished, and his
face was in repose, the thought would be sug-
gested that "the old gentleman bad o viii Of
bis own after all, and compelled obedience"
Having finished his dinner he was on the point
Of rising from his seat. when there entered the
| car little man whose wrinkled face and twink
hefakapad I'D into
This person sat down beside the old gentleman,
and with q puckered smile Of recognition upon
his lips accosted him cordially.
"How are you, doctor" he said. ~ was not
aware that We were fellow travelers-you must
be In another car from that which am in. I
am delighted to see you. and particularly so as
| l have some Important communications to
make TO you. You are through dinner. I see.
Can have . little chat with You later in the
observation car? would like the interview to
be private"
Certainly" replied the doctor, 81 will see
You there in half an hour" Accordingly, at
the expiration Of the time specified, the little
man found his way into the observation car
and discovered the doctor in a chair near one
end Of the room reading the evening paper.
The seat beside him was unoccupied, in fact,
there were but few Passengers in the car At all,
1t being too late to view much Of the scenery.
and the little man dropped into it. Lovely
weather Tor travelling, doctor, isn't it?" he be-
gan. "Good clear air and not too cold, either.
How did you leave Mrs. Grantly?"
very well indeed, thanks, replied the doctor.
presumed"
.'Oh, splendid, splendid" said the other.
Never better. They-er-give excellent meals
aboard this train; excellent Don't you think
SOP"
Very good. indeed" answered the doctor.
Every luxury seems to be afforded by the rnil-
road company in this service"
you're rtght-quite true" said Mr.. Ben
ming: "Much-er-news in the paper this
evening""
"well, no-nothins particular" replied the
doctor. "One or two railroad accidents-such
as one reads about nearly every day."
Getting almost unsafe to travel nov-almost
| unsafe. But never get insured, never. Al
ways feel as II something must happen. Such
q ieshng is very uncomfortable, very. Ever
"No-o," said the doctor, 81 can't say that /
have. lin fact-generally carry an insurance
| policy with me against accident"
There was pause for few moments, during
which the doctor seemed to be looking through
his paper-that is as If 1t we're pane Of glass
and the little man appeared lost in thought.
Doctor, how is your SON getting along well,
I hopper Very fine boy indeed-very."
Eyes" said the doctor, Reginald is doing q
we'll q: could wish. He is in the Junior year
NJ COLeS6 you know-anQ i understand he
stands very well in his class"
'Weu-er-it was about him-er-that ]
wished to hold this interview. You know he
has always had q sort of-er-liking for my girl
Dorothy. You knew that, Of course?"
Perfectly well, replied the other.
"Well, from the letters that my girl receives
from him, the affair seems to be more serious
than I-er-anticipated. Now, 1 like the boy,
understand, but I think my girl is too young
for any such goings on-mind and heart not
settled yet, and all that. I've been meaning to
speak to you on this subject for some time, but
took advantage Of this, my first opportunity.
Now, what do you think ought to be done in this
matter? Don't you think-er-this heavy low
ing business should be put a stop to until they
are considerably older and know their own
minds better2 Then if they are of the same
feelings-why, all right. Not''-as the doctor
objection to the boy-fne young fellow-knew
his father, too, when I was a boy-great old
times those, eh, doctor?-but think my girl
ought to see more of life before she goes en-
gaging herself to any young fellow, whoever he
may be. What do you think about it2"
Il agree with you perfectly, Sam-this thing
should be nipped in the bud. My boy is at
college, and can't afford to be spending all his
time writing love letters when he should be
studying. If, as you say they are Of the same
mind in future years, why, well and good. Have
you any plan in view to checkmate the would
DC lONerS! ne DOCTOR Q smile was not In play
now, and the determined look was very promi-
nent around his mouth. He had been some
what startled at the news that the affair had
gone SO far and he was very anxious to end
what he deemed . silly and transitory attach
ment which would interfere largely with his
sons advancement. And he was very ambitious
for his only child.
The two men sat absorbed in thought for
awhile and then Mr.. Benning said: ~ can only
think of the old way of intercepting their let
ters 1t seems . mean thing to do, but can
think Of no other plan just now"
Every well, replied the doctor. 81 think
however, you might try some other means, if
possible, Of less clandestine nature, but I can
sec no other way of cutting of their infatuation
II milder means will not avail. 1 cannot write
to my son very strong letter, for that will only
make him the more obstinate, but will send
him a letter in which will let him understand
my feelings on the subject of young couples in
general and leave the rest with you. How will
that do?''
Every good-very good. Feel better now
nothing like good talk to settle things. Now
have another proposition to make. You
know We have always gone to the same place
every summer. This season don't do it You
choose some nice little spo-I'u choose
some nice little spot-and then well
go-ignorant Of the others whereabouts. Son
can't 60 where daughter daughter don't
know where son is. How's that?"
Capital" smiled the doctor. 81 should
IL