The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1899-02-19
On Top of the Bus.

| all the time as If she knew she was CIV
/ ing the conductor too much trouole-al-
though he seemed an obliging young TEL
low, and, indeed, proved himself 70 be So
She was incumbered by a large bundle,
and as she stepped on the foothoard ne
| took it from her, saying:
How far?''
'Bircham road" she replied. gently;
do you go as far as that?
Il wish We didn't go no further, he
| said, as he glanced at the slight, girl
! ISL figure and sweetly pretty face In
| few moments the conductor came TO take
| the fare.
| Five cents. miss, please" he said
rs there anything extra for the par
ceI?"
NO, miss Then, after a pause. ne
asked: DO you often come this way?
About twice a week Mother and 1 do
| washing. and we've just got two new Gus
/ toners in BRIGHAM road"
Events move rapidly in humble life, and
/ II was not long before the washing mad
again TO be taken to Bircham road not
| only because it was needed there. but De-
cause mother had been poorly ana not
able to TO do much lately. Stephen Bates
saw the girl waiting for him this time,
and he greeted her with a smile or IN
disguised pleasure.
You're in luck for once he said, the
old inspectors of duty for today, so don't
you say nothing, and 1 can manage 1t
frst-rate." Then he motioned her to take
a seat on the top, rennarking aloud that
it was fine day; and then, following close
behind her, he told ner to take seat on
the back bench of ali.
II shall often be able to pop up and
have word with YOU he explained
And so he did. In fact the young Eel
low contrived to get in very fair spell OF
conversation before Bircham road was
again reached
I'm sorry to hear your mothers bad"
ne said, kindly. rs she very bad?"
II m afraid SOL replied the girl, with
soft tremor in her voice.
Have you got doctor 10 her?'
mo, we can't afford a doctor; but I'm
nursing her all 1 can"
She don't want for nothing, ! hope.
The girls eyes welled full of tears, but
she said nothing. Nor did the conductor
for quite a long time. Then he was called
downstairs 10 take a fare from a gentle
man whom he at once recognized as the
doctor of club he belonged to. Without
exactly thinking of what he was saying,
or how earnestly he said it, he ex-
claimed:
Don't go yet. sir. I've got something
particular to ask you"
The kindly man of medicine babe him
be quick, and he went on:
There's a poor woman very Ill some
where about here. and l want you 10
look in and see her. You will, sir, won't
you?''
IF you'll only tell me where she lives"
replied the doctor Somewhere about
here is rather vague, I am afraid"
In a moment Stephen had bounded onto
the roof. where's your home?" he
gasped.
Il will take the next car back" said
the doctor. And after Stephen had hast
lily expressed his thanks he was again on
hte roof telling the girl the good news.
Are you coming this way tomorrow"
he asked.
mo; I don't come up here again until
Tuesday-and perhaps not then, if mother
isn't better; but I'll come as soon as I
can"
You must come tomorrow" insisted the
young man. land let me know how she
is getting on. l shall be very anxious till
L see YOU
Bircham road was reached by now. and
the girl had TO alight. AS she was doing
so the conductor whispered to her, eager
~, What's your name, dear?"
Startled at the last word, which seemed
to have escaped involuntarily from the
young mans lips, but still feeling that
perhaps 1t was not i'll meant, considering
all the kindness he had shown her, she
replied:
Dora Boosey"
He burst into laugh 1.-THE first names
oil right" he said. gayly, but the second
wouldn't be much worse for changing"
Dora ran off with all speed, while Steve
muttered to himself: What a blooming
shame it is they don't give US chaps
more'n s. a week! What can a fellow do
on thing like that with matter like
this?"
Mothers better, thank you"
That was all she said. II was night.
and she had no parcel this time. The car
was moving off when Steven inquired
with a trace Of disappointment in his
voice: Aren't you coming for a ride?'
The girl hesitated for a moment, and
the next instant felt herself whisked bod
lily onto the footboard. from whence she
was forthwith dispatched to her old seat
on the summit. Steve followed her. with
bell punch in hand. exclaiHing gaily: "All
fares, please
Dora laughed and pretended TO search
her pockets Steve drew ticket from the
packet. punched it; then drew out an
other and repeated the operation.
What are you doing?" asked Dora in
astontshment.
"All the way there and back again" he
replied with professional brevity. Il amt
going TO let you of. neither. You've never
had an evening trip before. have you?
Well, you shall have good long one to-
night. just for luck
The car sped on. all along the quiet and
thlckly foliaged suburban road, right IN
U what Dora declared must be that won
derful country" which she had often
heard about but never seen. Steve was
everlastngly skipping up and down stairs,
snatching a word or two when he could
and waxing every moment more conhden-
tiaI and comradev
It seemed to Dora as If they had known
each other for years. Then. snatching
an instant when there happened 70 be
only their two selves on the tram. Steve
bent low down TO her so low that she
could feel the warm breath OF him a It
beat upon her cheek. and almost Kissed
into her ear;
Dora, DO you love me? VIII you marry
me. darling?'
Yes. dear. I wilI"' The car stopped
suddenly. What is this?" she asked.
This" said Steve, lis the Terminus
London Evening News.
One oftba RararL able Casas