Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1902-06-11
WHICH OF THEM PROPOSED :
Both the Man and the Maid
Played Parts.

Her maiden aunt had all day been
sounding in her ears the praises of a
certain modest young man, and her
maiden heart had rebelled, because it
is very hard on girl to listen patiently
to what others take for granted and
she is very uncertain about.
She had no way of knowing that he
cared more than other men for her.
He called, and was jolly, good fellow,
full of fun, entertaining and good to
look at. He had never limited at any
thing other than warm friendship for
her. Of course she was fond of him;
SO were the other girls; but he had a
way of sitting out on the steps with
them between the dances, and when
she had first dared to favor him al the
cotillon he had grown so white and
silent that she never did it again.
She had been shopping down town.
and it was after her hour for getting
home. The car was crowded. An old
gentleman, a friend of her father, had
given her seat. A few blocks be-
yond he had said good night and left
her alone. She was a good deal fright
3ned in the crush. when the young
man appeared, helping very drunken
nan, bearing baby in his arms, onto
the car. She saw him step on the toes
IF a big fat man who was taking too
much room, until he, being afraid to
light, got off the car. Then she saw
him force the drunken man into the
seat, where, maudlin and pathetic, he
.rooned to his baby
Then he saw her and flushed crimso on,
,or she did not bow. She was too an
cry to believe that he might be play
ng the part of the good Samaritan.
She looked him straight in the eyes
Without "a sign of recognition. Then
lie was as white as he was that night at
he cotillon when she favored him and
lie did not seem to understand. And
ne was handsome, as he was that night.
The next seat to the drunken man was
.acated. His broad shoulders kept a
too eager occupant from the seat.
Nora" he said, speaking to her
just as if she had been his sister or his
wife, "sit here and take the baby. /
am afraid to do it myself, for l might
break its back. l don't know how to
1old them.'
She changed her seat and took the
baby. 1t stopped its crying and snug
Cling up to her fell asleep. 1t had beer
good to hear him call her Nora, even
he was in the company of hopeless.
y drunken man. They got off far from
Ter home and from his. He led the
| lrunkard and she carried the baby
| They had not spoken since his com
nand, though he had several times
| ;oothed the little one in way that
| made it desperation for him not to tel
Ter what was in his heart; the hope
he had scarcely dared to dreams he
might even think of daring to tell.
They climbed two flights to coy
little fat, where the door was opened
| by an old woman. The drunkard was
| somewhat revived by his nap and the
walk from the car. Thanking his new
| friends for their kindness, he STUN
bled into the kitchen to, as he said, gel
| dinner for all.
The old woman explained that year
| ago her son had lost his wife. He hat
insisted on taking the baby to visit g
sister. She was to have met him at the
Brooklyn bridge. Evidently they had
| not met.
The young people left behind then
the good wishes of the holiday season
Without asking him where he hat
| found the unfortunates, and forgetfu
of any preliminary remarks, she said
That was good in you, Jack"
He did not even hear the last word
| says the New York Times He had LOST
all his commanding air and was crest
fallen and fearful.
But called you Nora"
"And / called you Jack"