The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1895-11-16
THAT INTERVIEW.

| " and westward bound.
IN ~ met three civil engineers,
in the employ of the
company, at Winnipeg, and we were chum-
ming it to Vancouver.
"Not half bad looking" said Parkin un-
der his breath.
'Deuced fine looking girl, " said Graham,
with an admiring glance in the direction
Of the star passenger.
"Clean built and well groomed," NUT
tered Clarke critically II wonder how
she talks.
had been regarding the young woman
carefully. She was very pretty, but that
was not alone what caused me to transgress
the rules of good breeding by staring hard
at our charming vis.a-vis. Was it fancy :?
At any rate could have sworn that, as her
eyes met mine over the top of the book,
there was an expression in them which said
as plainly as words could have conveyed
the idea, 81 desire to communicate.
1t was like FASH this gesture of the
girl across the way, and possibly might
have been mistaken Could she have been
simply tossing back a stray lock of the gol-
den sheen that enveloped her handsome
head? Perhaps-but then, that glance.
''Let's go and smoke" said Parkin ris-
ing and making for the smoking compart-
ment.
"Ill Join you in moment" / said, and
my companions filed out. AS they disap-
pearcd down the aisle | cast a guarded
glance in the direction of the young woman
She had dropped the book to her knees and
was leaning forward slightly. One white
hand lay on the plush covered arm of the
seat the other still separated the leaves CT
the magazine. Her lustrous eyes were gaz-
ing straight at me. Her lips, parted
slightly, seemed about to address me.
Surely there could be no installing the
situation, but STILL reflected, it was well
to be guarded in such matters. Having
filled my cigar case from box in my grip,
preserving meanwhile what | have always
battered myself was an air OF indifference,
made move to reioin my companions.
She, with quick motion of the body, q
nervous gesture of the hand, spoke.
Il beg your pardon" she said. Ger
that is-will YOU grant me a moments
conversation ~
All, the voice was not disappointing
quite the reverse | thought-well modu
lated, subdued, ladylike, ina word, but
Enthusiastically American.
81 shall be profoundly honorcd,' | an
swered, approaching the plush throne of my
fascinating neighbor.
pray sit down-er-that iS-if | am
not OBTAINING YOU, she went on, with the
sweetest smile in the world, indicating at
the same time seat opposite her own.
Coolest cheek ever encountered, was
my silent reflection, but l sat down and
awaited developments.
1T is so-er such difficult matter to
approach" she began in queer sort of
way. II wish we knew each other little
better, you know"
Heaven send the opportunity, - Ispoke
with all the gallantry at my command.
Lost her pursc-wants to borrow money
father a minister in Montreal, and all that
sort of thing" thought and then kicked
myself for harborirg such an idea. If
can be of any possible service" said, ~
shall he charmed
'Sir,' she replied, with an appealing ges
ture, 'you are able to render me an i'm
mense service-if you will. But stay-of
course you consider my addressing you in
this manner an objectionable impci Thence.
am an American, you know" she con-
tinued, with quaint little pride in the
saying of it, ''and with touch of heroics)
a business woman"
"Pardon me-" yentured. "a lady can
address gentleman under almost any con-
ceivable circumstances.
"Will you, then, accept my card, she
proceeded, Offering tiny slip of cardboard.
took it and read the inscription. "Mar-
garet Stanford, Special Correspondent.
In the lower left hand corner was printed
in larger type the name of well known
San Francisco paper
"Ah, have heard Of you,' | remarked
never had, but then it is the proper thing
to say to Il newspaper woman. She likes
you all the better for it, although satisfied
that you have lied
Miss Stanford smiled graciously. That
was nice of you,' she said quietly, and
thea, withou tmore ado, went at the heart
of her dilemma.
''Do you know the Crown Prince of
Austra?' she began.
"No-I left Vienna when only 4 and''-
ooh, please don't frivol," cried my little
friend from Frisco. cts too serious "a
matter"
"What? Knowing the prince or not
knowing him 2"
Both, D." she replied, with an air of ex-
ASPIRATION. "But listen. The Crown
Prince Ferdinand OF Austria is on this train.
His car is a special in the rear of ours, and
he is touring the Rockies. | have been
sent to obtain an interview with him. but
my card has been returned twice by Count