The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1902-05-01
Etiquette by Telephone
BY ANNIE HAMILTON IONNELL.

II
II swarmed toward the waiting
train. On it's outermost fringe came
the Little Gray Nun, as the Young
Man had already named her; but
she was not meek or holy, or nun
nish at all, and only her clothes and
her hat were gray. She walked light
ly, springily, on her toes, and she
was radiant and smiling. TO look at
her, one would say she might be
bride or a young mother with
baby waiting out there in the sub
urbs somewhere. But the Young Man
refused to entertain either of these
suppositions. She was the Little
Gray Nun, spinster. He had been
watching her for Is minutes.
Suddenly he saw the radiance of
her face tarnish and a minute be-
ginning of horror dawn in her eyes
for he was an observing young man.
He saw her searching her chatelaine
bag, then her gray skirts, as if
pocket might have been hidden in
them by mistake. Then he saw the
horror itself spread from her eyes
over her piquant little face. The
Little Gray Nun, then, was in trou-
ble
"She has lost something" the
Young Man sighed, as if the loss
were his own. He took two giant
strides forward, then stopped. The
Little Gray Nun was talking to the
conductor. He could not hear her
voice, but the conductors was
strident, and might have been boom
ing through megaphone.
Sorry, miss, but it can't be done
contrary to our rules n regula-
tions. Sorry l can't put you through"
Whatever the Little Gray Nun an
swered was lost in the echoes from
the megaphone, but as she turned
away the offended dignity of her
carriage was marred by the tremu-
lous futter of her small, gray-gloved
hands. She walked now, heavily. on
her heels
Il beg your pardon" The Young
Man raised his hat courteously.
But if that fellow in the brass
buttons back there said anything in
sulting, there's just time for me to
break his bones for him before the
train starts. Beg pardon, but you'll
have to tell me quick!"
oh" dimpled the Little Gray Nun,
IN spite of herself. "Oh, no, please
DON'T! He only told me that-that-
why, that-'
ies?' tapped the Young Man i'm
patiently, though the courtesy of his
h1ted hat and interested face was
perfect. But there was so little time
1T takes time to break fellows
insolent bones for him. The engineer
was already awaiting the conductors
signal.
HE only said he-couldn't let me
ride home without ticket. I've lost
NY purse, but of course 1 should
send back the money tomorrow.
I'm not a tramp!"
Ihe brute! I'll have him reported
io"i iteis-lt gong!
and I'm not on it," groaned the
.iItie Gray Nun. "And this is Club
oys birthday, and l always frost his
cake!"
ihen there was a baby out there
Wnere the train was going? 1t was
NOT Little Gray Nun, spinster? But
.ae Young Man held his ground val
Mntiy. She was a woman, ANYWAY.
and in distress.
nut that conductor will be lust as
norrld as this one. | wouldn't ask
another conductor to let me ride free
! mad to stay away from home all
mght-except-oh, I forgot poor lit
.ie Chubby! l could do almost any,
hing for Chubby"
there's another train leaves in
ufee-quarters of an hour" he said,
encouragingly.
mat was always the way with
soung mothers. The Young Man felt
~ ae romance of things slipping
Trough his fingers. But he plunged
1s 1and into his pocket and drew
wy lat little silver-purse.