Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1903-06-18
Etiquette by Telephone
BY ANNIE HAMILTON poNNELL.
Observation-Disclosures,

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j A CROW d of u b u b C s
"A 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 a
bride or young mother with a
baby waiting ont there in the SUBJ
urbs somewhere. But the Young Man
refused to entertain either of these
suggestions. 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 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 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 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 a megaphone.
Sorry, miss, but it can't be done
contrary to 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 megaphone, but as she turned
away the offended dignity of her
carriage was marred by the tremu-
lous hutter 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," dimplcd the Little Gray Nun,
in spite of herself. "Oh. no, please
don't! He only told me that-that-
why, that"
"Yes?" tapped the Young Man i'm
patiently. though the courtesy Of his
lifted hat and interested face was
perfect. But there was so little time
it 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
my purse. but of course I should
send back the money tomorrow.
I'm not tramp"
"The brute! I'll have him reported
at headquarters-it's going,"
And I'm not on it," groaned the
Little Gray Nun. "And this is Club
by's birthday, and l always frost his
| cake!"
Then there was a baby out there
where the train was going? It was
not Little Gray Nun, spinster? But
the Young Man held his ground val
iantly. She was a woman, anyway,
and in distress.
"But that conductor will be just as
horrid as this one. I wouldn't ask
another conductor to let me ride free
il l had to stay away from home all
night-cxcept-oh, forgot poor lit
tie Chubby I could do almost any
thing for Chubby"
"There's another train leaves in
three-quarters OF an hour" he said.
encouragingly.
That was always the way with
young mothers. The Young Man felt
the romance of things slipping
through his fingers. But he plunged
his hand into his\Vocket and drew
out fat little silver-purse.
"Then do this for Chubby" he
smiled, holding it out to her. II
haven't any need for it, you know.
It's ERIN my way. / use a mile
age, myself"
The little Gray Nun recoiled. The
dimplss froze in her cheeks and her
chin. Her small, well-set head lifted
and lifted-Scott, man, do you see
how tall the Little Gray Nun is grow.
ing!
THANK you-let me pass, please"
the Little Gray Nun said, frigidly.
And he stood looking after her in
stupid surprise. Put his foot in u,
had he? BY George, she looked az
II she had a job for the conductor
this timel
iii try another tack" he NUT
tered. "Ihe little thing has got to
be befriended somehow or Bubby or
Chubby or Whatever His Name will
have to eat his birthday cake with
out any frosting. Neverl" He over
took her in the waiting-room. I beg
your pardon" he said; II don't want
to bore you, but IL you'd accept the
loan of mileage book don't need