Evening journal., 1900-01-18
THAT SUIT CASE.
AN EPISODE.


Ruth Kenyon was talking earnestly
to tie 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
rudenessl I've sent back all his pres
ents, and never want to see him again.
But, for that matter, suppose shah,
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 OF
you'll be too late Good-by. and we'll
meet again at Smith in September
''Poor John Baker. jr.! l pity him
when they meet" she added to her
self, as she watched Ruth seize her
umbrella and suit case. and hurry off
the car
Harrington, the driver Of the old
yellow coach that connected the little
out-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. "Reen hopin' yer'd come on that
train" he cried, taking her baggage
checks. Jump right in. There's only
one other passenger. and l reckon you
know him"
lie opened the coach door and the
girl stepped in. With a crack Of the
whip they were off almost before
Ruth had time to recognize in her fell
low passenger-John 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 iolted on over the hills and
hollows
'Don't see your wagon hereabouts,
Miss Ruth the driver remarked as he
handed down her suit case Mt the end
Of the route.
1T viii be right along. and I'm in
TO hurry And she sat down on the
postoiiice steps to wait
After q time the postmistress came
TO the door. 'You amt waiting for
your Jerry, 1 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 a vexed laugh "Then ] must
walk She picked up her suit case
and started down the long dusty road.
There was sharp step behind her.
Looking quickly back, she confronted
John Baker.
"Ruthg' he said angrily. they told
ne you had started, so 1 followed.
This is no place for girl to be alone -
lie glanced about at the gathering
darkness. let me carry that suit
case: it's too heavy for YOU"
Ruth Kenyon suddenly sttaightened
like ramrod, and her eyes flashed
but she made no answer
The walk seemed endless. but at
last the Kenyon house appeared al
the end of a long pasture, which was
separated from the road by a high
stone wall. Before John Baker no
ticed what she was going to do. Ruth
had turned, placed her suit case on
top of the wall, and climbed up hei.
1 self.
How it happened neither of then
ever clearly knew. Instantly there
was n rolling sound, n crash, and q
moment later John was over the wal
lifting the girls PROSTATE figure from
the ground. In his excitement he for
got everything except that the girl n,
loved lay motionless before him.
Ruth he cried brokenly, "are yog
hurt badly? Speak, dear" At his
, words she staggered TO her feet. "Tn
not much hurt. That case made In,
t slip" she said, but her lips were pal,
and trembling. Thank YOU" she add
ed, as he handed her a letter whicl
lay on the ground where she had fal
len. In the bright moonlight she reat
tho address written in her own hand
= writing, Mr. John Baker. jr, Val,
! University. New Haven. Conn.
John" she cried. suddenly facin,
y hAAht ~ WIS aAA hlN AAltAs though
S you weren't O gentleman FOR not an
swcrlng my letter It must have beer
In that suit case an the time. Can w,
C ever he friends again Johnf7
"No." said he, sprlnging forwar,
with q cry Of joy. eve can't be simply
friends. It's got to be something NOR,
8 than friends this time, Ruth"
= John Baker paused on his Doorstep
, before going in that night to look nj
at n bright light in the next house
Poor girl she did hurt herself" Ia
said gently. And it was all on nc
q count Of that plaguey suit case. But
Z was desperate, and it gave me
{ chance TO tell her how feel about NJ
two, anyway" He laughed softly
e then opened the door and went in.
"a The De7rth of Marriaoeahie princee