Santa Fe new Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1898-1951, 1898-01-20
BAD MAN In A BUS.
had watched her for some moments as

l had watched her for some moments as
my bus rolled down Piccadilly and was
greatly taken by her appearance. The
pavements and the carriages were full of
well dressed and beautiful women, but
somehow / seemed to have eyes for no one
but that girl. She wore the sweetest cos
tume-something in blue, picked out with
white ut the collar and cuffs, and l in
ferred white upon the front Of the bodice.
She was steering her bicycle with skill and
boldness through the 5 o'clock traffic, and
l longed to see her face, which I felt con-
WINGED would please my eye. But this, of
course, I could not do, as she was riding
steadily about ten yards in front of us.
"May l ask, +" said my neighbor, "if that
young lady is your sister or your cousin
orr
"Certainly not" I replied. "Just wait
a moment. She'll be as pleased as any
thing when she sees that I have noticed
her. Nothing annoys a woman like indif-
ference"
"A %girl-alone and unprotected she
began.
"She should be all the more pleased to
see me" I said. She was abreast Of the
bus again, and I leaned over the side,
waving my hat. She looked up with a
glance of surprise. l nodded pleasantly.
She lifted her eyebrows and smiled. But
a crawling hanson took her attention, and
she fell behind again.
"There!" I said. "If ever a girl looked
pleased, there she is. Who AM I that I
should refuse q momentary satisfaction to
a lonely girl?n
I turned with a smile to my neighbor.
Her face was flushed with anger, for I had
clearly proved her to be In the wrong.
1T Is men like yourself who are the
the blots on u Wanted civilization, y she
said. "Such a sweet, innocent face too. y
"Yes, isn't itp" I said. II am SO glad
you agree with me. It's the sort Of face
I've always admired, and as soon as ]
caught a back view of her I felt certain
she would have that sort Of face. That's
why I wanted to get a look at It,"
"Such men as YOU began my neigh.
Dor.
"Now, II I were not q married man." I
continued refectively, THAT is the very
girl I would marry at once. As it Is, Of
course, I can't. But that's not my fault,
Ia it?"
"You are married." said the lady.
g Tam" / replied.
"That makes 1t much worse" she said.
ION the contrary, it is my excuse" 1
said. sit is all owing to my wife. If it
were not for her, l should be-well-very
different"
"She must be miserable woman, +" said
the lady, III she knows Of your conduct.
My heart bleeds for her"
"Not at all" I said. "She is quite hap
py-as happy as that girl. Now, did you
ever see a more charming girls"
turned and sent u 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, II
think l shall speak to her. Otherwise l
might miss her when I get off at Sloane
street. Do you think she would mind2"
"Let me implore you," said my neigh.
Dor. IF you do, I shall speak to the con
ductor."
st would be grossly improper l said,
"unless he happens to be your brother or
your cousin Or
The lady shifted and looked around, but
the conductor was not in view.
l leaned down and the girl looked up in
quiringly, riding to the side Of the bus.
81 am going to get off at Sloane street, y
I called to her. ".Will you stop there?"
She nodded, and, bending slightly over
the handles, quickly outstripped the bus
and rode On down tho SLOPE. 1 eaneu
back in my seat and watched her appreci.
atively as she floated away.
Never In my life, / murmured, "have
I seen any one whom I admire more. A
most delightful girl"
IA most disgraceful incident, . said my
neighbor.
"You see," I said affably, 1.-TWO people
mect-'twas in u ~crowd-and their hearts
rush together like magnets Or poles or
whatever the things are. 1t is quite clear
to mo that wo are made for one another.
Don't you believe i'll atflnities? They are
fun"
1T is not a matter for testing. 1t is Il
very serious matter to tamper in this way
with the innocence Of
II think 1t is rather a joke, " I said.
SIT may be a joke for the man, or, rath.
er, he may think so, mistakenly. But you
never by any chance think of tho girl, and
| feel 1t my duty us a woman to protest
against
BLESS my SOUL" I exclaimed, II think
of the girl always. She is never out of my
thoughts,
1.-THE girll'
"Yes, the girl-that girl. Didn't ! cx
l p1aipS nh hora xyn aroi'
"Sloane street, y said the conductor.
/ jumped up.
"Well, we've had most interesting con
versation, " / said. You see, she's wait
ing for me there at the corner. / knew IT.
l never underrate my attractions.
As / descended to the pavement; Celit
greeted Inc with q smile of welcome, while
the eyes Of my late neighbor bored two
holes In my back.
slow lucky to meet like this sale
Celia. Where did you SEQ me tirsts''
"Oh, in Piccadilly, : l replied. But
couldn't be sure 1t was you until l saw
your face, l want to get some tobacco
here, and then we can walk along home.
Had on amusing dayY'' said Celia.
Excellent, ~ said. more particular,
the ride DOWN"
You seemed very much interested ii
the lady on the bus, " said Celia as ",
stopped outside the to~bacconist's. ''Dit
you know hcr.''
Never saw her Nefore," l said.
Right under my very eyes, too" sale
i Celia. 49,