The Bellefontaine Republican. [volume] (Bellefontaine, Logan County, Ohio) 1855-1905, 1901-12-20
WHAT MRS.
JOHNNIE DID

WI W ~. D4O O
o~o~o~o~o~o~oo oo~o~o~o~o~o.o
"Whatever- you do, don't take the
1910" Tom had said when at break
fast Mrs. Johnnie declared her inten-
ton of running up to town. Its Slow
and awfully dusty and there's general
ly q rowdy crowd aboard. Wait for the
2:05 express"
But no sooner had Tom taken his de-
parture than Mrs. Johnnie decided to
do nothing CT the sort. She was bus
Ting little body, forever on the go, and
when once an idea crept into that clev-
er little head of hers she was inclined
to carry 1t through to finish in her
own particular way.
Consequently Mrs. Johnnie did take
the 1910 local, and within five min
utes' time she was wishing deyoutly
that she had followed Toms advice. for
it was hot and dusty, and they were
crawling along at q sna.rs pcce, and
there were some rough looking custom
ers on board, and-well, oh, dear! After
all, Tom did know what he was talk
ing about occasionally.
At the far end of the car young wo-
man was sitting. She locked SO young
that one might almost have called her
| q child in spite Of the fact that her
pretty brown hair was twisted up on
the top Of her head in a vain imitation
| Of the latest fashion and the Ito Mrs.
Johrnie) most atrocious fact that her
checks were covered with rouge.
Mrs. Johnnie gathered her belongings
together and set out to take possession
of the seat just in front of the young
girl, and then, half turning. she scru-
| tinized the young woman at her leisure.
| She could do SO without rudeness, for
| the girl was gazing out Of the window.
and her thoughts seemed to be far
away ITS a sweet little face" thought
Mrs. Johnnie, "and don't care if it is
\ painted it's innocent and trustful. Her
dress fits her abominably, but she has
a glorious pair Of eyes. She's posi-
| tive anomaly. I'm going to introduce
| myself"
The girl turned her head just at that
| moment, and as their eyes met both of
Il
| the first time that the other wore the
little silver Maltese cross of the Kings
Daughters. They needed no introduc-
| tion after that. Mrs. Johnnie moved
into the seat with her, and they were
( soon the best of friends. 1t did not
| take Mrs. Johnnie very long to gain
the particulars of her story: She had
never been to the city before, she said;
indeed, except for some little exeur-
sion now and then, she had never left
her home, which was In Little village
on the coast Of Long Island. She was
so glad to have some one to talk to, for
\ of course she was feeling a bit lonely.
Then she told Mrs. Johnnie that her
name was Daisy-Daisy Hope-anl
that she was an orphan with just one
sister. Her name was Sophie, and she
was married now. They had always
been the very best of friends-she and
Sophie-uutii Dan Hackett came along
Nowadays, she added with a sigh
Sophie had eyes for no one but Dan.
But shan't mind 1t so much now,'
she added. suddenly frightening rl
again, NOW that I'm going to be mar
ried too"
III ''S1arriedr' exclaimed Mrs. Johnnie
In astonishment. "You don't mean tG
tell me SO! When is il coming off, anG
what's his name?'
"Yes. we're going to be married righ
away-Jack and me. This isn't yer,
much of trousseau, Is 1t 2" she added
with an expressive gesture toward he
/ LII 20 la nd
parcels. But Jack said that wouldn'
matter. He could fix me up when
I came to town. He told me in his lette
not to bring anything along; my coun
try dresses would never do for New
York. he said. So I've left them all G
home there, hanging up in my closet
all except my new pink one 1 got n
Easter. It's so pretty l couldn't bea
to leave that behind. 1 guess it will d
j for the mornings. now and then.
"But wasn't 1t awfully good Of Jacl
= though? He sent me this dress to wes
on the way up and this diamond
pointing to a huge brooch that sparkle
at her throat. but which Mrs. Johnnie
eyes pronounced to be very bad past
"And there was a box of complexiC
salve he sent me too. I've put some
it on just to please him. but can't ST
Q that 1 like it very much. 1t itches
: and feels horrid. Do all ladies paint
New York;"
At another time Mrs. Johnnie wou
have burst out laughing, but Just
present matters were taking too serio
q turn. Mrs. Johnnie was beginning
wonder very much
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