The Topeka state journal., 1897-12-07
BAD MAN IN A BUS.

pavements and the carriages were fun OF
well dressed and beautiful women but
somehow seemed to have eyes for no ono
but that girl. She wore the sweetest cos
tume-somcthing in blue, picked out with
white at the collar and cuffs, and I in
fcrred white upon the front of the bodice.
She was steering her bicycle with skin and
boldness through the 8 o'clock traffic, and
longed to see her face, which felt con-
vinccd would please my eye. But this, OF
course, could not DO. as she was riding
steadily about ten yards in front of us.
May I ask, - said my neighbOr, if that
young lady is your sister or your cousin
orr
Certainly not, - replied. "Just wait
a moment. She'll be as pleased as any
thing when sho secs that have noticed
her Nothing annoys a woman like indif-
ference. "
"A girl-alone and unprotectcd''- she
began.
''She should be all the more pleased TO
see me, - I said. Sho was abreast Of the
bus again, and 1 leaned over the side,
waving my hat. She looked up with
glance of surprise. 1 nodded pleasantly.
She lifted her eyebrows ard smiled. But
q crawling hanson took her attention, and
she fell behind again.
"There(" I said. ''If ever girl looked
pleased, there she is. Who am I that
should refuse momentary satisfaction to
a lonely girl:''
turned with smile to my neighbor.
Her face was flushed with anger, for had
clearly proved her to be in the wrong.
1t Is men like yourself who are the
the blots on our vaunted civilization she
said. Such sweet, innocent face too. %
Yes, isn't it?'' 1 said Il am so glad
you agree with me. It's the sort OF face
I've always admired, and as soon as
caught back view of her 1 felt certain
she would have that sort of face. That's
why wanted to get a look at il.
''Such men as you'- began my neigh
Dor.
Now, if I were not married man, -
continued refectively, '.that is the very
girl would marry at once. As it is, Of
is its''
You are married?' said the lady.
81 am replied.
THAT makes it much worse, - she said.
ION the contrary, it is my excuse, -
said. ''It is all owing to my wife If it
werc not for her, I should well-very
different
the lady, il she knows of your conduct
My heart bleeds for her. -
mot at all, - 1 said "She is quite hap
py-as happy as that girl Now, did you
ever see q more charming C1rlt''
turned and sent nod in the direction
of the girl, who was pedaling along quietly
just behind the bus. She lifted one hand
from the handle bar and waved it to me in
friendly response.
Under the circumstances, - said Il
think l shall speak to her. Otherwise
might miss her when I get off at Sloane
street. Do you think she would minds"
Let me implore you" said my neigh
Dor. g II you do I shall speak to the con
ductor' -
1t would be grossly improper, - I said,
unless be happens to be your brother or
your cousin Or
The lady shifted and looked around, but
the conductor was not in view.
leaned down and the girl looked up in
quiringly, riding to the side of the bus.
] am going to get Off at Sloane street -
called to her. "Will you stop there?''
She nodded, and, bending slightly over
the handles, quickly Outstripped the bus
and rode On down the slope. I leaned
back in my seat and watched her appreci-
atively as she hoatcd away.
Never in my life, - murmured, "haye
seen any one whom I admire more. A
most delightful girl
A most disgraceful incident" " said my
neighbor
You see" said affably, "two people
meet-'twas in q crowd--and their hearts
rush together like magnets or poles or
whatever the things arc. 1t is quite clear
to mo that wo arc made for one another
Don't you believe in afinities? They are
fun. -
1T is not a matter for jesting. 1t is a
very serious matter to tamper in this way
with the innocence Of
s. think it is rather joke, - said
1T may be joke for the man, or rath-
er, he may think SO, mistakenly. But you
never by any chance think Of the girl, and
feel it my duty as a woman to protest
against
of the girl always. She is never out of my
thoughts. -
''The grip
Eyes, the girl-that girl. Didn't I ez-
plain? Oh, here we arel'
''Sloane street, " said the conductor.
jumped up.
We'll, we've hada most interesting con
versation. I said. You see, she's wait
ing for me there at the corner knew it,
1 never underrnto my attractions
As I descended to the pavement Celia
greeted Inc with smile of welcome, whilo
the eyes Of my late neighbor bored two
holes in my back.
How lucky to meet like this" said
Celia. Whore did you SEQ me frst?''
'Oh, in Piccadilly, replied. "But I
couldn be sure it was you until I saw
your face. / want to get some tobacco
here, and then we can walk along home. ."
Had an amusing day?'' said Celia.
Excellent said More particularly
the ride down.
You seemed very much interested in
the lady on the bus, said Celia as we
stopped outside tho tobacconist's. S. did
you know hcr?'
Never saw her before, - I said
"Right under my very eyes, too, - said
Celia.
slT -,,1,7,,s4- H. - - s7 ftc.1
seemed to have some objection to me or
to you or to something or other-sceIned
to see something wrong in our behaviour %
Didn't she know was your wifeg"