Montour American. (Danville, Pa.) 1866-1920, 1902-07-17

girl. Though there was not the slight
est sign Of recognition, knew at once
that they had met before. Seat No. l,
next the lady, was vacant, and in q
few minutes the porter had assigned
1t to the young man. The girl swung
round so that her back was to him and
addressed some words to her father,
pointing out Of the window, but l no
ticed that her breath was coming quick
and her face had lost some of its color.
The young man soon turned his back
to all of us, took a novel from his suit
case and began to read, but from the
number of times he turned to glance
through the glass beside him / judged
that his attention was not fixed upon
the book His seat, the end one, was
next a mirror, and 1t was not long
before the girl, though his back was to-
ward her, was exchanging glances with
him.
A few miles from the terminus OF the
road at Jersey City is a long tunnel.
Just before the train entered this tun-
mel the porter attempted to light the
gas in the center of the car, but had
only one match, which was extingutsh-
ed before he succeeded. Plunging un-
der ground, we plunged also into total
darkness.
When we shot out into the light, the
young couple were sitting back to back;
but, horror of horrors, the patch on the
face of the girl had been transferred
to the mustache of the young man!
This could see by the mirror. l have
been in that sort of danger myself and
have q fellow feeling for any one sim
ilarly placed. The father was looking
out Of the window; the girl, uncon-
scious Of the transfer of her patch, was
sitting with her face toward him; the
young mans face was exposed to any
one who chose to look into the mirror.
How could l communicate with the
young man unobservedf | stared at
his reflection, hoping to catch his eye,
but he was so absorbed in the remem'
brance Of the kiss he had stolen that
his eye was not to be caught. Mean
while the father faced his daughter
and began to gather up their belong
ings, his face being directly toward the
mirror Tapping him on the shoulder,
/ asked him by what means | had best
reach the Grand Central depot in New
York While he was telling me was
trying to catch the eye Of the young
man This talking to the father and
gesticulating at the young man at the
same time were more difficult than
grinding an organ and dancing mon
- s->I>,y., IASl'C up W nIlo
the train was rapidly nearing the sta.
ton.
Presently the young man arose to
take his suit case from the rack above
and saw by my expression that some
thing had happened. l pointed to my
upper lip and glared at him. He stood
looking at me stupidity for a time,
then put his hand to his face, and when
he withdrew it the patch came also.
At the moment the young lady noticed
that something was wrong and, glanc-
ing from me to her lover, saw him
looking at her patch on his hand.
Oh, the crimson of roses, the carna-
tion of pink, the scarlet of poppiest
None of these was ever so beautiful aG
the flush that came upon the cheek Of
this pretty girl. No patch was needed
to make u contrast. 1t famed against
the ivory of her face, a banner Of lovo
unfurled to the gaze Of all who chose
to look.
The young man rose to the occasion.
Rushing up to me, he grasped my hand
"Why, John! Where did you spring
from? Why didn't you let me knoW
you were on the train? Where do you
stop in the city"
Between my replies l managed to
slip my card into his hand, and he hur-
ried away after the father and daugh-
ter, who were by this time leaving the
car
One morning, soon after, I received
an invitation to dine with Mr.. and Mrs.
Charles L. Chancey l had forgotten
the car episode and went to the dinner
not knowing who were to be my hosts.
When Mrs. Chancey received me in the
drawing room, l recognized at once
the girl Of the black patch, and her
husband proved to be the young man
who had kissed her in the tunnel. 1t
turned out that the man l had taken
for the father was her guardian and
was scheming to marry her. His plans |
were frustrated by the couple, who |
managed to elude him in a crowd be- |
fore crossing the Hudson. But for my |
warning their plot would have been |
discovered and frustrated.
The couple have since become my In !
innate friends.
MAURICE X. BROCKETT.
A Wonderful Puppy.
A 5-year-old in wr'.in To- his absent
father said: you jrsl o-..i to see my |
puppy, papa! He is getting lia:scr every |
day, and sometimes twice day"
Observation Needed.
Don't you think Dachsie likes his
new collar JOhn?"
How the deuce do you expect me to
tell from here2 Go out in the kitchen
and see If his tail is wagglng. Life.