Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1898-02-03
THE WRONG GIRL.


robust looking young man in the Grand
Central station. He was just purchas-
ing seat in the Wagner car prepare
tory to taking the train for Cleveland.
He fumbled over the change, picked up
the ticket and put it in his mouth while
adjusting his various traps, and then,
as clearly rs the interfering ticket
would allow: - ISIS Hurley-h-u-m-
no-I guess l didn't meet her. What of
itr'
"Well, then, you missed it, said the
first speaker, who had apparently drop.
ped in to say goodby TO the departing
one "You see, she couldn't go to the
reception at the house, and naturally
you may have overlooked her at the
church. Tall girl, brown hair, big eyes,
red cheeks-don't remember seeing her
at the church, do you?''
By this time the ticket was adjusted
and the bags carefully arranged The
other said musingly:
"Interesting description. No, don q
remember Why?"
"Oh, nothing" said the first speaker,
"only she is going out on this train,
and / thought she would make good
companion for the trip She is deuced-
ly pretty girl and clever too. told her
you were going on this train and also
told her / would be up and introduce
you. l was afraid that / wouldn't get
to see both Of you here, however, and
told her if l failed to introduce you
would tell you about her-give you her
description, don't you know-and you
could look her up on the train and in
troduce yourself. l don't see her any.
where She must have gone through.
Look her up. You won t regret it. "
At this point gong changed ANNOUNCE
ing the closing of the gate. Hurriedly
picking up the bags, last handshake,
and the young man rushed out, calling
back:
"All right-awfully kind of you.
Take care of yourself.
With this somewhat vague descrip.
ton he hurried on the train, found his
seat and deposited his traps. Then he
recalled the request impaired by his
friend and began to look around the
car in an interested manner to see if he
could find the woman in question. The
description given was decidedly vague,
and, worse than that, when he began to
rack his brain, he couldn't for the life
Of him recall the name. Study as he
could, the fleeing name would not
come. After the first hour the journey
became decidedly monotonous, and he
decided to make rash hazard anyway,
especially as he saw woman who
just fitted the description as he recalled
it and who certainly had been looking
at him in half appealing, half inter
ested way. Drawing himself together,
he walked over to her seat lifted his
hat, and said hestatingly:
"Er-I think we know one another. ]
am Mr. Bowden - r-a friend-Mr.
Hartley-you know-told me you were
to be on the train-and so-and so !
thought l would just introduce myself. "
During this little Introductory speech
the woman had looked gravely interest
ed, then smiled sweetly, murmured
something about being SO glad and
made room for him beside her. He drop
ped into the seat, and desultory con-
versation began. He tried by various
means to get her in some way to refer
| to her name, but she apparently did not
see his lead and steered clear of the is
sue gracefully. AS he knew nothing
whatever about her except the few
words his friend had dropped the con-
versation dealt largely in generalities.
The wedding at which he had officiated
as best man was discussed in detail.
She showed remarkable knowledge
Of the whole affair and on the whole,
proved delightful companion, al
though quite reserved about herself and
her people The journey wore on, and,
while the conversation was interesting,
nevertheless a vague uneasiness that he
could not explain haunted him. Finally
bedtime arrived, and when morning
came the train was in the station at
Cleveland. He had just time to say
"Good morning" and ''Goodby" as she
tripped out of the car.
"Deuced funny she didn't ask me to
call or something" he unused as he
picked up his traps This puzzle was
solved, however, as he was going out.
Two men walked into the car just as a
woman stepped out of the stateroom.
"There is Miss Hurley now, " calculated
one of them. Like flash the name
came back to the young man. He looked
up and saw the girl in the stateroom re-
garding him intently, but with no
glimmer of interest or cordiality. He
dashed from the car and muttered,
"Well, I'll be DID,
Perhaps a fuller explanation Of the
mystery was couched in brief note re-
ceived by Mr.. Hartley few days later.
1t was signed Edith Hurley" and the
interesting extract was: II can't say
that l have much respect for your friend
Mr. Bowden. He ignored me entirely
all the way after what you told him
and struck up an acquaintance with
that Miss Clendenning-you know
what she is--how did she ever get in
vited to the wedding?-actually picked
her up on the train and talked to her in
the most brazen manner the whole way"
Hartley was somewhat mystified, but
telegram received put matters right.
1t was from Bowden and read tersely,
Description fitted the wrong woman. "