Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1902-07-09
THREE
OUTSIDE
SEATS
BY Elizabeth r. Gutter
copyrlsht, Iool. sy Ells.ss,h !. R. Gutter !.

main des Pres at the Place Clichy and
mounted 20 the inperlale. there were
already seated there two priests, a
bareheaded working woman with a
aiet OF marketing In her hands, two
( schoolboys carrying the usual black
portfolios under their arms and an old
| gentleman who was reading the Petit
Journal. Next TO the latter found a
place.
A moment later the omnibus stopped
again, and heard the voice of one OF
my country women exclaiming nerv-
ousIy, 81 never can climb up that lad
der. neverg'
Then girl spoke. "oh. do try. Aunt
Martial They say the outside seats
are so pleasant"
rs lido you think it's perfectly
safe, Mr.. HenleyY' asked the anxious
voice.
Perfectly safe" came rcassuring
masculine echo, and there was half
seconds pause, In which. suppose.
Aunt Martha tried 20 ascend and fall
ed. for the conductor broke In impa-
tientiy: EN- voiturel En- voiture! Une
place en- basl Ncuf places en- hautr'
Take the seat inside, Miss Percy.
do" urged the mans voice. "Your
niece and can go on top"
The omnibus started forward, and
two Americans came up outside. very
pretty girl. elegantly dressed. followed
by tall, athletic looking man. They
seated themselves directly behind me,
and she exclaimed:
How delightful II is up berei And
| what a shame that we've been In Paris
two weeks without ever taking the
bus, Isn't II too bad that Aunt Martha
stayed down belowy'
"on the contrary" be replied. 81 ind
II extremely agreeable to be alon. with
you for once. I've been trying for
days to have a word with you by your
self, but your aunt IL a perfect wonder
at keeping the party In strict triangular
shape whenever go out with you. To
day | purposely urged her going inside
SO that could talk with you In peace
up here on top
Wow understand what In meant by
'wickedness In high places" retorted
the girl piayfuily.
Don't try to put me OF. Miss Ware.
for it's no use. You know perfectly
| well that love you and
''Sh-sh, What are you thinking Of.
Mr.. Henleys You certainly aren't go
ing TO make love to me here. on the
top OF an omnibus. right before all
these peopleY'
why notY' he persisted. They
don't any OF them understand English.
Look at that femme de menage and
those boys and the priest. They're all
French. We are as safe here as IL we
were In the parlor at home"
But that girl behind us"-she lower
ed her voice as she spoke-"do you
thInk she looks French
"A Partisan Enthusiastically" he an
swered. she doesn't understand q
word we say
Parislenne-l, who had been
away from New England only six
months and who thought my nationaii-
| ty as plain as II Il Sere stamped upon
me In red, white and blue. IL was
shock certainly. but the blow was sof.
tened somewhat by the compliment TO
my clothes Aren't the parislennes
considered the best dressed women la
the world?
But the mistake had touched my
Puritan conscience as well as my
feminine pride. l was listening TO
conversation manifestly not Intended
for my ears. Ought | to get down
from the omnibusl That would be
quixotie surely. | could not afford to
be late TO my appointment for the
sake OF two perfect strangers who
would never know OF my delicate kind
ness to them. Ought TO speak out
frankly and say. Il beg your pardon.
but l understand everything you are
sayingf" That would be embarrassing
for us all and really cruel TO Mr.. Hen
ley. who had been trying for 80 long TO
propose. When man is In such
straits that he has 10 make love ON the
top OF an omnibus. he ought not 10 be
wantonly interrupted. Il was plainly
my duty 10 keep quiet.
But young French girls don't 60
out without ehaperon." objected Miss
Ware. 'Sbe Is all alone
mot at ALL" he answered. There's
her father right beside her reading the
newspaper"
/ trembled with fear. II seemed as
II my neighbor must have understood
that. but a glance showed him to be
happily ignorant OF the American
daughter so suddenly thrust upon him.
He was reading serial story In the
Petit Journal perfectly unconscious OF
the romance going on behind his back
Well haven't you anything to say
TO meT asked the young man.
What can / say? / don't think
you've known me long enough to ask
such question"
1