The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1897-01-24
Stores of an Inland State.

Jdnn Woods first saw her in car on the
''L'' in New Yc.k. He felt at the first
glance that pleasant shock which is the in
| tuitive recognition Of an affinity.
John Woods never followed any one but
| he followed this woman. Once off the car
he ioitered behind her as she passed from
one street to another and finally disappear
ed up fight of steps and through the
door of a comfortable looking brown-stone
| front His eye was not sufficiently prac-
| ticed in city ways to detect whether the
| structure was fiat or not. He paused in
front of the house and looked it over. Then,
realizing the absurd;ty of his position, he
passed on. He made inquiries in regard
| to the house and its occupants at a neigh
| boring drugstore and was shown direc-
| tory. He was not able to locate the resid-
dence. The druggist and the clerks knew
| nothing about either the house or the occu-
pants.
Woods was not inclined to give up. A
gentle tenac.ty was a Characteristic with
him and he walked down before the house
! again, surveying it as a possible purchaser
might. It was suggested even then to his
mind that in order TO come into the pres
| ence Of this chance affinity he might be
for the moment a possible purchaser and
inquire. He dismissed this idea as be-
meath him and walked away. He increased
his pace when he saw the same woman
come down the steps in a travelling suit,
small satcheI in hand and follow him.
He guaged his pace to keep just so far
in front. He mounted to the 81" station
in time to catch train. This he did not
take The woman came into the little
waiting room and took seat Woods did
not look at her. stare would have been
brutal and undiplomatic. They took the
same car. on the next train.
Jane Corder dropped her handkerchief.
The bit of white flight caught the quick
eye of Woods. He crossed the aisle and
returned it to her.
'"Thank you," she said.
Woods fingered an Infinite sinai fraction
OF time. Still he lingered-in manner and
glance. Jane diverted her eyes. Woods
had fancied he had an opening. Her man
ner barred him. He took his seat opposite
again, then hastily arising, crossed again
and sat down beside her.
The few men in the car were absorbed
behind newspapers.
ut is a pleasant day." said Woods
Jane Corder did not answer.
at Is not a pleasant day at ALL" said
Woods rather warmly. THAT was a bach
neyed beginning, which every street mash
er and maverick Lothario from times be-
ginning has used. 1t was a very feeble
beginning and ask you not to let 1t pre-
JUDGE you against me-"
The woman turned and looked at him
coldly.
Il do not expect you to answer me-" he
said rather gravely. Your inclination and
sense prompts you to call on an official,
the guard. for assistance in Kidding yourself
Of an insulting masher who has approach
ed you and annoyed YOU
She did not reply.
Tho inclination might be proper and
still be wrong. 1 ask you only to give ear
to my words. can not properly ask i'm
mediate belief. This morning 1 saw you
on train on this road. As men will and
have for ages. felt desire to know you.
Circumstances are such that a formal in
PRODUCTION, which would have been entirely
proper, is impossible. If chance had given
you an acquaintance who was also an &C.
quaintance Of mine a few formal words
would have with great propriety accom-
plished between up something which I am
now undertaking with risk of being thrown
by guard into another seat and condemn
ed by all our fellow passengers
Woods paused. Jane still looked away
calmly, indifferently.
"But formal introductions are not In
spirit always proper, no more than rude
approach Ike mine now is improper. al
ways. A mutual friend can pass spuri- |
Gus acquaintance and be exempt from re-
demption when the acquaintance whom he
has passed along with a few thoughtless
words has turned out to be bogus. He
can not pass dime so, but he can pass a |
man in that way and the law knows it not |
Society does not blame. All I lack now is |
the poor instrument of formal introduce
ton. We have no mutual friend to vouch- /
safe the propriety of either and If we had |
he would not be responsible. AS the mutual |
friend is without responsibility and so often |
at fault. is there not some virtue in an in |
formal approach such as I have NADER"
Jane Corder did not move. |
az have no sign from you that 1 have |
dissipated your sense of propriety other |
than your failure to have me thrown from /
the car. Shall 1 go on?''
Jane smiled family.
Then I shall continue. I want to ask /
you to grant me an honesty of motive. Do |
not take me for a common masher. Com
mand me TO be your friend and let me have
time and acquaintance to prove it,
81 must reserve the right to question your
motive" Jane Corder said seriously. Your
words are fair
Her musical voice rang in his ears and |
he did not find his voice. but sat silent look
ing at the woman before him. With quick |
perception he felt she was his equal intel
lectually.
"You reserve the right to question my
motive?"
YES" she said.
How can prove its honesty?'
Not by fair words, am sure"
'Let me begin then by acts. What Is
your manner"
Jane
1.-THE other?'
"Corder"
81 know your residence. I followed you
Grant me the license of being frank You
ire in ]
You have guessed correctly
You did not hear my question but you
answer it. That is womans intuition"
A fascinating smile played a moment
lpon her face.
Let me be perfectly honest with you"
lie went on. MY argument against for
nal introductions was weak"
'It was amusing she answered.
"Rut weak he said.
Necessarily" she said, ''it was limited
o my chance, perhaps immediate departure
rom the bench
You were kind. You might have left
he train to avoid me and not heard me
"A