The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1899-12-20
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WEDNESDAY, DEC. 20. 1889.
THAT SUIT CASE.
AN EPISODE.

Ruth Kenyon was talking earnestly
to the girl who sat next her in the
train from Northampton one June
day.
"No; everything Is over between
John Baker and me-" she was saying
vchemently. Frances, l sent that
gentleman an invitation to the Junior
prom. two months ago. He not only
never answered the letter, but went to
the prom. with another girl. Such
rudeness I've sent back all his pres
ents, and never want TO see him again.
But, for that matter, l suppose | shall,
as | get home He lives just next door,
and always goes home as soon as col
lege Is out"
"Why, Ruth" suddenly CALCULATED
her friend looking out of the window
Here's your station. Hurry dear, or
you'll be too late Good-by and we'll
meet again at Smith in September.
Poor John Baker, jr.! | pity him
when they meet" she added to her
self, as she watched Ruth seize her
umbrella and suit ease and hurry off
the car.
Harrington, the driver of the Old
yellow coach that connected the little
ont of the.way town of Thorndale
with the rest of the world. was look
Ing up and down the platform. His
old eyes frightened when he saw
Ruth. Been hopin' ycr'd come on that
train" he cried, taking her baggage
checks. Jump right in. There's only
one other passenger, and reckon you
Know him"
lie opened the coach door and the
girl stepped in. With crack OF the
whip they were off almost before
Ruth had time to recognize In her fel.
low passenger Baker, jr
Good evening"" she said, coldly.
Good evening"" was the equally
chilly reply. John Baker became at
once absorbed In the evenings news.
The coach jolted on over the hills and
hollows
Don't see your wagon hereabouts,
Miss Ruth" the driver remarked as he
handed down her suit ease ut the end
of the route
at will be right along, and I'm In
no hurry" And she sat down on the
poStOinCe steps 10 wait
After n time the postmistrcss came
to the door. you amt waiting for
your Jerry, | hope. Miss Kenyon
she said, "for he said this morning he
wasn't coming down again to-day"
THANK YOU" replied the girl, with
rather yexed laugh. "Then | must
walk" She picked up her suit case
There was a sharp step behind her.
Looking quickly back, She confronted
John Baker.
Ruth" he said angrily, they told
me you had started. so | followed
This is no place for girl to be alone. y
lie glanced about at the gathering
darkness. Let me carry that suit
case; it's too heavy for YOU"
Ruth Kenyon suddenly Strengthened
like a ramrod, and her eyes flashed
but she made no answer.
The walk seemed endless, but nj
last the Kenyon house appeared al
the end of n long pasture, which was
separated from the road by n higl
stone wall Before John Baker no
ticed what she was going to do, Rutl
had turned, placed her suit case OF
top of the wall, and climbed up her
self
How ii happened neither of then
ever clearly knew. Instantly there
was rolling sound, a crash, and (
moment later John was over the wal
lifting the girls PROSTATE figure from
the ground. In his excitement hc for
got everything except that the girl h,
loved lay motionless before him.
Ruth he cried brokcnly, are yot
hurt badly? Speak. dear" At his
words she staggered to her feet. I'm
not much hurt. That case made mt
slip" she said, but her lips were pale
and trembling. "'rhank YOU" she add
ed, as he handed her letter which
lay on the ground where she had fal
len. In the bright moonlight she read
the address written In her own hand
writing, Mr.. John Baker, ir., Yale
University, New Haven, Conn.
John" she cried, suddenly facing
him. ut was all my fault. | thought
you weren't n gentleman for not an
swcring my letter. II must have been
in that suit case all the time. Can we
ever be friends again, JohnT'
"NoH' said he. sprnging forward
with n cry of joy, I'VE can't be simply
friends. It's got to be something more
than friends this time, Ruth"
John Baker paused on his doorstep
before going in that night to look uT
at a bright light in the next house
Poor girl, she did hurt herself he
said gently. And 1t was all on ac
count of that plaguey suit case. But ]
was desperate. and II gave me u
chance TO tell her how ! feel about us
two, anyway" He laughed softly,
then opened the door and went in.