The citizen., 1901-02-22

glanced along the aisle. Half way up the
car young man, several years Arthur's
junior, occupied a seat. He was pale
and cadavcrous youth with look of
deep melancholy on his troubled face.
Arthur walked up the aisle and paused
by this passenger, and Mabel saw his lips
move. The invalid. for such the youth
must he, looked up with sorrowful, sui
len expression and briefly nodded Then
Arthur spoke again, leaning upon the
seat and smlingly regarding the young
man. Ills time the youth made some
reply and Arthur laughed mcmily. The
invalid responded with slightly frosty
smile, and then Arthur slipped into the
seat beside him. In five minutes they
were chatting like old friends When
Arthur arose to leave the invalid hastily
put ont his hand and Arthur shook it
warmly. As he passed down the aisle
the tired eyes of the pale youth followed
him with a softenrd and wistful gaze.
The potter had met Arthur and hand
ed him a yellow envelope. He turned as
he tore it open and glanced at the
message and then walked slowly back
There was an old lady, very neat and
very white old lady-white Of face and
hair and neck scarf-who sat nearly op-
posite Mabel. and this sweet old lady had
fallen asleep. Arthur paused and look
ed at her. Then he went back and spoke
80 the poryvr. A moment later he return.
ed with a pillow. The gentle old lady
was only in a doze and she opened heI
eyes as Arthur proffered the easier rest.
ing place. She smilingly accepted it and
let him place it carefully beneath heI
silvercd head.
And all this time Mabel had been
watching the young man in the telltala
mirror. Was this the idler, the man of
no sentiment, the selfish pleasure seek.
er? She felt her cheeks color as she
realized her lack of charity, her stupid
and unfounded prejudice. And yet he
had idled, and was he not on the car at
this very moment on silly love chase.
a moment later when Arthur turned
and caught her eye she was looking
squarely at him. He thought she had
never seemed so beautiful The soft
flush on her cheeks was wonderfully be.
coming. In each hand she held a bunch
of the lovely roses that had lain beside
her on the seat. Her gaze told him she
wanted him. He stepped to her side.
Perhaps your friends would like
these" she said as she held up the
flowers
He knew what she meant
"Of course they would" he cried in
boyish pleasure. And then he added in a
hn 81.
roses, How very, very thoughtful"
Mabel reddened again and looked away
and this time did not follow his move.
ments in the glass.
He was back presently.
"They were both delighted" he said,
"and send you their grateful acknowl.
edgments."
Mabel looked up and caught the eye Of
the invalid youth, who smiled and nodded
to her and held up the flowers, and she
smiled and nodded back. And then she
smiled and nodded to the dear old lady
who had pressed her dear old face into
the roses as if they brought back the
sweetness of her happy youth.
Il find | shall be in Pittsburg for sew.
eral weeks" said Arthur. "a telegram
has just reached me that somewhat
changes my plans, or, rather, it prolongs
them"
$50 you are on a business trip" said
Mabel, with the slightest interrogative
infection.
"Why, yes" Arthur laughingly an.
swered. Business, l fancy, of consider.
able Importance and requiring instant
attention. l took this train in answer to
n fplnUrQrh pif nj
now | received another message warning
me that my presence is demanded at a
meeting of consolidated interests there
this afternoon" He paused and watch
ed Mabel slowly clearing the roses from
the seat beside her. II am afraid" he
went on, that you have thought me a
good deal of an idler. The fact is have
been taking an enforced vacation during
the last ten days My dear mother has
been suffering from a recurring malady,
and when she has these peculiar attacks
she always insists that | must be within
easy reaching distance. But she is SO
much better that gained her consent to
slipping back into the harness."
Mabel hastily lifted her handbag from
the seat.
Wont you sit DOWN." she asked in as
indifferent tone as she could assume.
He accepted the invitation with de-
lighted alacrity.
You are very kind" he said, and his
eyes were much more eloquent than his
words.
Did | understand you to say" Mabel
remarked in her blandest manner, that
you would remain in Pittsburg for sew
eral wecks?'
"Yes," he answered. "For three weeks
at least"
Then" murmured Mabel, II should
be pleased to have you call"
THANK you" he quickly said. An au-
dacious CLEAN shot from his eyes. May
call this eveningW
Mabel hesitated.
Then she looked up and nodded, and
the rosy flush deepened on her rounded
cheeks.-Cleveland Plain Dealer.
Grit For Ducks.
Grit Is absolutely necessary.
should not only be kept together with
prncSn1 OVctpr ShnlIc in hoy,c oore+o,.+