Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1901-02-09
LIKE A REAL ROMANCE

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She boarded the green car at 1:3O am.
at the corner of Pennsylvania avenue ana
7th street southeast. She was bundled
up young thing Of about twenty, who look
ed as II she had dressed quite hurriedly.
The earliness Of the hour and the black
bag (unQuestionably containing lunch and
things) which she carried on her arm, sling
wise, all proclaimed that the young woman
was bound for some place Of employment
one Of the department stores no doubt. And
II the outward indications already describ-
ed did not sufficiently indicate that the
young thing was on her way to work. then
the matter was clinched by the fact that
she had no sooner pumped herself into
seat than she opened UP. at point where
the leaf had been turned down, paper
novel with a highly picturesque cover IN
poster greens and reds and blues. and i'm
mediately became deeply absorbed therein.
So intensely interested did she Immediately
become that she was obviously unconscious
of all that was going on around her. 1t really
looked as If the workaday world was far
cry for that young woman once she began
turning the pages of her novel. The men in
the car grinned slightly over the tops or
their morning newspapers when they saw
the quick enthraliment of the young woman
in her trivial-looking book. Directly across
the aisle from the young woman were a
well-dressed man and pretty, well-dressed
woman, who, from the satchel and suit
case nesting at their feet, appeared to be
bound for one Of the stations to start on
Journey. They exchanged humorous glances
when they observed the almost painting
eagerness with which the young woman
across the way consumed her book. Then
the man, with most solemn countenance,
said to the woman with him:
But beg, implore, nay, beseech you
to give me just one little ray of hope!
Reginald" replied the pretty, well-dress-
ic of 70 ha I
Believe me. l pity you from my soui-but
why entreat me when you know full well
that l can never be yours?
An expression of deep misery crossed the
face Of the man at whose feet rested the
suit case.
Look you, Mildred Hoptoad, I am not
one to be tri1ed WITH" he said in warn
Ing tone. .,,,. .o,a ,,s
pretty companion, smiling derisively.
Take it as you WILL said the man In
low, surly tone. Il am not one to wear
me heart upon me sleeve When l TOOK
you, a struggling mill hand, and promoted
you to the post Of forewoman of me entire
factory. little did 1 suppose that your IN
gratitude"
toryv' exclaimed the mans companion,
with every appearance of dead seriousness.
IF my position depends upon my being
compelled to receive the addresses OF man
whom l loathe, whom despise, even If he
is a millionaire many times over. then l
tell you, Reginald Spinwheel, that prefer
a thousand times the love Of an honest
man to anything that you have to oner!
The other passengers In the car, after q
moment or so of surprise over this colloquy,
caught on and grinned amusediy-all ex-
cept the young woman with the novel. She
went right on reading with open mouth ana
greedy eyes.
"Ha. then me rival is one Of me en-
ployesv' Missed the man at whose feet
rested the suit case. He Is one OF me
grimy varlets then. Ell? Might l respect
fully beg to inquire, Miss Hoptoad, when
is the loom number Of this fellow who has
superseded me in your affections?" and he
laughed sardonically.
Eyes. l dare tell your. exclaimed tne
and upright lad as ever drew the breath
of life. He would scorn to stoop to such
methods as you employ to pursue and per,
secute perfect lady, and . there seeme sa
low enough, Reginald Spinwheel, to de-
prive him Of his means Of livelihood, SIM
ply because he is guilty of loving me! Have
you no pity in your dark heart? why. ne and
I have known each other since we were
little ones Many time and oft has ne
carried me, a tiny little thing, across the
brook down at the foot Of Main street. AND
you would come between US and deprive
him Of his means Of earning his daily
bread? All, how hapless am l! How sadly
1 have been punished for having beau
tiful face and the figure of Juno! Woulo
that I had not peachy, creamy skin
pearly teeth, q pouting mouth, saucy,
slightly retrousse nose and such superb
violet eyes! Man. have you no pity?"
Hal hai' sneered the man. You speak
to me of pity! As well, Mildred Hopt6aa,
as break this match" and he snapped the
safety lucfer between his fingers. Little
can you realize the depths of love such as
me heart possesses! If you are not mine
then You shall be no other mans! I have
sworn it, BeWarer
II am but a poor mill girl" said the wo-
man at his side, stiffening. but l am
blood courses through the veins of the Hop
toads than ever sustained the plebeian Spin
wheels! My ancestors, Reginald Spinwhee!.
fought at the battle OF Hastings. ana
could be a Daughter Of the American Revo-
luton If had the clothes! 30 there now!
Do your worst I defy you! l shall live to
see you a roo-in-ed man! Do not think.
Reginald Spinwheel, that stories Of your
dissipations in the great city have not pen
etrated to our quiet little hamlet! You are
going the pace that kills. But that makes
no difference to me. So long as yon enul-
gent moon hangs dandelion-like In the blue
dome Of the heavens shall never be yours!
The die is cast I have crossed the Rubi-
con! Now, sir, I give you the gage OF pat
tie, rich and powerful as you are.viper!
The whole car was in a broad grin. almost
in a chuckle, by this time-all except the
young woman with the novel. She never
looked up once from her page. She was OBJ
liviOuS OF her surroundings.
Reginald Spinwheer' and Mildred Hop
toad' got off at 9Th street and strolled to-
ward the station
Never faded her for minute, did WEI"
said the man. "She never batted an eye."
And the woman smiled.
s.Well. let her dream on" she said, whim-
s,caIly. "She will awake in time. We all
do"
Under Smelling.
From Blackwo0ds.
The writer's first taste Of fire was an I'M