Virginia gazette. [volume] (Williamsburg, Va.) 1893-192?, 1902-04-05

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
~, springily. on her toes, and she
was radiant and smiling To look ct
her. one would say she might be q
bride or young mother with a
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 fer IS minutes
Suddenly he saw the radiance Of
her face tarnish and a minute be
ginning of horror dawn In her eyes
for ne was an observing young man.
He sRw her searching her chateiaine
bag, then her gray skirts. as II n
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-
BILE
''She has lost something" the
Young Man sighed. as II the loss
were his own. He took two giant
strides forward. then stopped. The
Little Gray Nun was talking 10 the
conductor. He could not hear her
voice. but the conductors was
strident. and might have been boom
ing through a megaphone.
Sorry. miss, but it can't be done
contrary 20 our rules n regula-
tions. Sorry can't put you through"
Whatever the Little Gray Nun an
swered was lost in the echoes from
the meRaphone. but as she turned
away the offended dignity OF her
carriage was marred by the tremu-
lOus lutteF of her small. gray-gIoved
hands She walked now. heavily, on
her heels.
''T beg your pardon" The Young
Man raised his hat courteousiy
"But II that fellow In the brass
buttons back there said anything In
suiting. there's Just time for me TO
break his bones for him before the
train starts. Beg pardon. but you'n
have 20 tell me quIcki"
'Oh," dimpled the Little Gray Nun.
in spite of herself "Oh, no. please
don'tl He only told me that-that-
why. that"
'Yes7" tapped the Young Man inn
patiently. though the courtesy of his
lifted hat and interested face was
perfect. But there was SO little tine
lit takes time TO break fellows
insoient bones for him. The engineer
was already awaiting the conductOr's
signal.
'He only said he--couldn'f let me
ride home without ticket I've lost
my purse. bat of course should
send hack the money tomorrow.
I'm not n trampi"
"rhe brutel III have him reported
st headqnarters--it's Roing!"
'And I'm not or IT." Rroaned the
Little Gray Nun. "And this Is cnub-
by's birthday, and always frost his
cakei"
Then there was baby out there
where the train was goingf 1t was
not Little Gray Nun. spinster7 But
the Young Man held his ground val-
iantsy. She was a woman, anyway.
and in distress.
But that conductor win be just as
horrid as this one. I wouldn't ask
another conductor TO let me ride free
Il I had to stay away from home all
pight-exeept-oh, forgot poor lit
tie Chuhhyl could do almost any.
thing for Chubbyl"
There's another train leaves IN
three-qnsrters of an hour" he said,
eacopragingly.
That was always the way with
young mothers. The Young Man felt
the romance Of things slipping
through his hngers- But he pIunged
his hand into his pocket and drew
out a fat httle siiver-purse.
Then do this for Chubby" he
smiled. holding II out 90 her. "a
haven't any need for IL. you knew.
It's erin my way. use mile.
age. myself"
The little Gray Nun rscoiied The
dimples froze in her cheeks and her
chin Her small. weii-set head lifted
and iifted--Scott. man. do you see
how tall the Little Gray Nun Is grow.
ingi
Thank you--iet me pass. please,
the Little Gray Nun said. frigidiy
And he stood looking after her iE
stupid surprise. Put his foot In II
had he7 BY George. she looked a,
II che het job for the eondaeto'
| this tines;
I'll try another tack hs NUT
tered. The little thing hAa rot q
be befriended somehow. or HahAx cl
CHUBBY or Whatever His.Name wil
havp 30 ses his birthday cake vita
cut eay frp&Siqg. Eever." He ever