Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1901-12-26
OUTSIDE SEATS
~ ~ ! BY ELIZABETH p CUTTER,
BY ELIZABETH p. CUTTER


7 7 HEN | took the omnibus for st.
III German des Pres at the Place
III Clichy and mounted to the i'm
periale, there were already
seated there two priests, barelieaded
working woman with filet of market
ing in her hands, two schoOlboys eas
rylng the usual black portfolios under
their arms and an old gentleman who
was reading the Petit Journal. Next
TO the latter l found place.
A moment later the omnibus stop
ped again, and heard the voice of one
OF my country women exclaiming nerv
ously. Il never can climb up that lad
der. never -
Then girl spoke. "Oh, do try. Aunt
Martha. They say the outside seats are
so pleasant.
rs lido you think it's perfectly
safe, Mr.. Henley ?" asked the anxious
voice
Perfectly safe" came a reassuring
masculine echo and there was a half
seconds pause, in which, / suppose,
Aunt Martha tried to ascend and fail
ed, for the conductor broke in impa-
tiently; EN- Noiture, En- yoiture' Une
place en- bas' Neuf places en- haut,"
Take the seat inside, Miss Percy.
do. urged the man $ voice Your niece
and | can go on top
The omnibus started forward, and
two Americans came up outside, very
pretty girl, elegantly dressed. followed
by tall, atheletic looking man. They
seated themselves directly behind me,
and she exclaimed
How delightful it is up here. And
what a shame that we've been in Paris
two weeks without ever taking the bus.
Isn't it too bad that Aunt Martha stay
ed down below"
"On the contrary" he replied. Il
find IL extremely agreeable to be alone
with you for once. I've been trying for
days to have word with you by your
self, but your aunt is perfect wonder
at keeping the party in strict triangular
shape whenever | go out with you.
Today, purposely urged her going in
side 50 that | could talk with you in
peace up here on top.
Now l understand what is meant by
wickedness in high places retorted
the girl playfllly.
Il think myself I've been a very good
boy" he went on, carrying Aunt Mar
tha's shawl around for two weeks here
as if 1t were she | came to Paris to see
I've never once complained, but my pa
thence Is about worn out, and now I've
got you myself at last you'll have TO
listen To what | want 10 say"
II most certainly shall" she ans
wered lightly, for | can't get away
If had golf skirt, | might attempt
those dizzy stairs alone. but in this
summer silk, with a guidebook and
umbrella it would be certain death.
Don't try to put me off, Miss Ware.
for it's no use. You know perfectly
well that | love you and
Sh-sh What are you thinking of
Mr. Henley? You certainly aren't going
to make love to me here. on top of an
omnibus. right before all these people,"
why not?" he persisted. They
don't any of them understand English.
Look at that femme de manage and
those boys and the priest. They're all
French. We are as safe here as If we
were in the parlor at home,
But the girl behind us"-she low
cred her voice as she spoke-"do you
think shes looks French ?"
"A Partisan Enthusiastically" he an
swered. She doesn't understand word
we say"
| a Persistence. who had been away
from New England only six months
and who thought my nationality as
plain as If it were stamped upon me in
red. white and blue, 1t was shock
certainly. but the blow was softened
somewhat by the compliment to my
clothes. Aren't the Parisiennes con-
sidered the best dressed women in the
world?
Bat the mistake had touched my Pu-
rltan conscience as well as my feminine
pride. | was listening to converse
ton manifestly not intended for my
cars. Ought | to get down from the
omnibus? That would be quixotic sure
ly. | could not afford to be late to my
appointment for the sake of two per-
feet strangers who would never know
of my delicate kindness to them.
Oought | to speak out frankly and say.
II beg your pardon. but | understand
everything you are saying That would
be embarrassing for us all and really
cruel to MIR. Henley, who had been try
ing for SO long To propose. When a
man is in such straits that he has TO
make love on top of an omnibus. he
ought not to be wantonly interrupted.
1t was plainly my duty to keep quiet.
But young French girls don't so
out without chaperon" objected Miss
Ware. she is alone"
"No, at ali" he answered. There
Not at Ill" he answered There S
her father right beside her reading
the newspaper.
tremblei with fear Ii seemed as
If my nelghbor must have understood
that. but glance showed him to be
happily ignorant OF the American
daughter so suddenly thrust upon him
He was reading serial story in the
Petit Journal perfectly unconscious OF
the romance going on behind his back
Well. haven't you anything to say
to me?" asked the young man.
What can say? don't think you We
known me long enough TO ask such a
question"
Not long enough" he repeated I've
known you all summer
Nine days on the steamer" she
counted deliberately. two weeks in Lon