The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1903-02-21
A TIME LIMIT PROPOSAL.
Is this the woodbrook accommoda-

TOM
He was tall, muscular and in a desoer
ate hurry. 1t was an accommodation
train he was after, but he spoke in limit
ed express time.
Times up was the reply, and the
man began to close the gate He began
TO close it. but that was all. An arm
like steel grasped the iron and pushing
back both gate and keeper made a path
and the young man did not tarry to hear
the unpleasant words the gatekeeper said.
but started in a fun run down the plat
form. The train was beginning to move,
but with fine jump he caught the rail
and then in continuance OF his haste he
threw himself against the door and moved
quickly and intently down the aisles of
the cars. going from one to the other
in feyerish intensity. 1t was the first
train after the fashionable hours of bus
mess and society-the twilight train that
carries people who have and who make
money. to their suburban homes.
He met the conductor.
Captain he said. very politely, "is
Miss Nottingham, of Woodbrook on this
train?" and before the conductor could
reply the young man had darted forward
and was standing by an old lady whose
generous lap was as full of bundles as
Friday bargain counter-it happened TO
be Friday, too. In the same seat next 10
the window sat beautiful and placid
young woman.
why, how do you do, Mr.. Faraday?"
He took off his hat. but his speech was
all directed to the elderly lady with the
numerous spoils of shopping. '.Madame."
he said. I'm very sorry to disturb you
very sorry-but l have something of ex-
IRENE Importance TO say to this lady and
| must have the seat you are occupy
ing
.'sir?"
ALLOW me to move your bundles to the
seat opposite. Thank you very much for
your kindness. Just give them to me.
That's it. Thank you, eB quick. please.
as l must get off at the station after the
next one"
'.Sir?"
Before the bewildered matron could
know what was happening she found her
self eScorted-driven-to the other seat
and the bundles were falling back into
her lap in heaps. and in the midst of it
all the largest one broke and oranges
rolled wildly forth. Then the young man
dived after them. He could hardly do
leSs-and it was lot more than he want
ed to do. In a few minutes he had the
fruit, and. with more apologies. he jumped
around, and took the seat beside the
young lady.
She was greatly amused.
Don't laugh" he said. Don't speak.
Just listen" and with deadly seriousness
he went on. I'm expected to make the
principal speech at tonight's meeting.
Must get off station after next so as to
get back in time Ten minutes ago !
found that Dick Thompson is going out
to your house tonight and / know he is
going to propose. Now, all l ask is a fair
show-just-''
Young man. said voice on the other
side of the aisle, please git up and see
if you're not asserting on my handker-
cher"
He arose and found the lost article
"A fair show-that's all l ask he re-
peated. earnestly. You know what |
mean and what I feel-I've put off saying
anything because | wanted to get up
little higher in my work OF course
Dick may love you just as much as do
he may think he does-but he don't
and
'Ticletsr'
Great Scott, / haven't any, Here,
captain. take it out of this extending
dollar bill to the conductor, and he turned
TO the blue eyes once more.
My speech tonight will be the greatest
opportunity of my life. 1t will lead"
Where to?" asked the solemn train
man.
"Oh, anywhere-station just beyond
this. Yes, that's it-station just beyond
the next one" and he began again:
It's no place to tell you all l mean.
But it's life or death. It's everything.
It's"
Your check said the conductor. TN
bring the change in minute
II can't talk love here-nobody can"
he whispered desperately. Il don't want
to
We'll, Mr. Faraday. what do you
want?'' and the blue eyes danced.
II want
Young man, ! want my other orange"
demanded the solemn voice from the
other side of the aisle. There were six in
that bundle and there's only five here"
''Merciful heaven he exclaimed. rising
and addressing the stately lady, Il
haven't time to look for it. Please. as a
favor to me, take this quarter and buy
another one when you get home-yes.
you must take tit was all my fault.
and the piece of silver was in her lap.
while he returned to his task.
Miss Observation-Disclosures just this
way: All I ask is that you hold out until
can have my say. If | know that I'm
to have equal chances with Dick-its
downright mean of him to take advantage
of me when he knows I must make that
spcecE-oh, yes. we've been good friends
and all that sort of thing-but it's just
this way-why. don't you see, l can
never
Change, said the conductor.
Il can never" he went on, putting the
money in bis pocket without looking at
il. make that speech unless know that
you won't promise Dick tonight. If you
do youll ruin the meeting and the meet
ing will ruin the party and your father
won't be elected and everything will go
to smash. I'm not asking much-just
wait until l can tell you all / want to
say"
Really. Mr.. Faraday. I have not the
slightest idea that Mr.. Thompson
Il didn't say that you had. but I have.
and l know what ! am talking about.
Now, Nellie. don't throw fellow down
Hold your heart back for twenty-four
hours. That's it-that's what I'm coming
to-.
Next station Dover" sang out the
brakeman.
Give me your answer. I think l hear IT
now. Dear
Young man." said the aged voice. IT
don't believe this quarters any good.
1t looks like lead
Madame. | assure you"
And I don't want 1t. anyhow, cause
I've found the other orange
Faraday wiped the large drops Of per-
spiratiOn from his troubled forehead. but
his purpose was still strong within him.
lie turned for the promise
VIII You ruin that speech?~ he asked
or will you give ne hoQe-some;hlng to
build on and work for2 II. when ] am
before that great audience. I can see your
smile and feel your interest 7 know
shall do something that is worthy-but II
its all up. then
Il beg your pardon" said the conduc-
tor. as ne stopped at the seat. Did l give
you the right change?"
Too much?
No too little