The enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 188?-1899, 1898-07-13
Swinger's Discovery.
N$>~NAS>ASS-~A~A~>S~

destination in mind. There were sum-
mer gardens to the north, with bands
playing under the trees. The season
had just begun, and Swinger told him
self that he would not visit garden
until there came warmer evening.
He walked until he came to the State
street bridge, and then he looked along
State street south from the rivera
broad and straight thoroughfare,
twinkling with electric lights. The
whole way ahead of him was in soft
glare from the myriad lights which
clustered in the show windows or were
studded against the buildings.
Through this glare the cars were creep
hng, forward and back and across. The
sidewalks, even at this hour, swarmed
with the uneasy multitude.
Far above him the roof garden
showed as an angular constellation OF
stars. Swinger looked up and could
bee the tiny figures of men and women
along the railing. The roof garden pro-
Nided entertainment to his liking some
times, but on this evening he felt that
h vaudeville show would be a tiresome
mockery.
Presently he came to corner from
which trolley car was about to start.
There were several inviting seats, and
THE car would take him far out in
Ogden avenue, to the half-rural suburb
tof Lawndale. 1t occurred to him that
HIawndale would have no charms for
him, so he did not take the car.
He found that he had turned from
State street and was going toward Wa
bash avenue. A cable train bound for
Cottage Grove avenue met him at the
eorner and he climbed aboard. Since
he was out merely to kill time and get
the fresh air why not South side car?
The South side was one of the great
divisions of the city, and well deserv-
Ing of an occasional visit. He lounged
back in his seat and the fresh breeze
cooled and chilled him until he had to
button his coat.
Clickety-clack, clickety-clack, went
the rattling wheels, and Swinger, with
his eyes half closed and his imagination
keeping time with the swift beat on
The rails, did not know when the car
passed Twelfth street or when it
bumped across the rails at Sixteenth
street or swung in bold whip-cracker
fashion around the corner at Twenty
Second street. He was having long
hnd confidential talk with the paragon
of young women when the conductor
touched him on the shoulder and
asked Transfer"
Why not a transfer, since it cost moth
ang, and Swinger was out for an in
hefnite ride? He named cross street
along which, to his positive knowledge,
there was an electric line. A few mo-
ments later he jumped off at the corner
and waited for an electric car.
He might have alighted at some other
corner. 1t was by mere accident that
= he chose the particular line which
would take him within three blocks
Iof the Hadley house. AS the car ap-
preached the street Swinger began to
ask himself if it would not be advisable,
anasmuch as he CHANGED to be in that
heighborhood, to walk down to the
house and meet Jim Hadley. Besides,
he had a standing invitation to call at
the house, and although this would not
be "cail," still he felt that he would
be welcome if he should drop in, and
although he was not positive he would
see her he decided that if she happened
to be at home he might possibly eX-
plain why he had sent the flowers that
morning, providing he had not made a
sufficient explanation in the note which
followed the flowers.
Now, as we all remember, Swinger
had not the slightest intention of going
to the Hadley home when he started
ont just before dusk, and you may be
assured that he was surprised, but not
entirely displeased, to find that the car
lines had conspired to land him at this
bne street rather than at any other o1
the $500 streets in Chicago.
As he came nearer to the house he
began to rehearse his Introductory re-
marks, and he confessed to a slight
nervousness for fear she would not I'M
uerstand that be had simply happened
In. he realized, of course, that he
should have notified her if he intended
to make formal call.
The Hadley house is back from the
street, with a sweet-smelling grass
plat and clumps of shrubbery in from
of it. Swinger dimly saw several fig
ures on the open veranda, and he hears
the murmur of voices. Would it bt
advisable for him to call at such time
He was in extreme doubt, and while
1 hesitating he walked past the gate
Then it was too late for him to turr
back, so he kept on walking, while ht
upbraided himself for an idiot and won
dered if anyone on the veranda had see1
him and recognized him.
At the next corner south he stopped
and debated as to whether or not h,
should return. If he were seen to ap
proach the house from the south sh,
would ask him how it happened tina
he came from that direction, and h,
would not be able to explain. He re
solved to go to the house, merely t,
vindicate his courage; so he went acros
the street and then north and cam
back determinedly. He slammed tn
gate behind him and advanced boldl,
toward the veranda. Some one VIII