Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-02-21
Copyright. 1908. by Augusta Davies Ogden.

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The day was oppressively warm, and the
throngs OF travellers pouring through the
railway station looked dusty and uncom-
Portable. tall young man. coming from
the mems waiting room. halted and frowned
impatiently at the prospect. His eyes fell
upon a young girl seated on a bench near
the door and busily engaged in eating cream
puffs.
GLOW can people munich In public" he
uueried, half amused. half contemptuous,
surveying with strong disapproval the short
gray frock, the heavy braid Of hair and the
big round hat school girls have no man
ners"
At the end of the platform he turned to
retrace his steps. Half way back an elder
Iy man servant advanced to meet him.
1.-The boxes are all labeled. Mr.. Martin
every good. You may go. Peters,
Peters touched his hat and departed. The
GIRL who had looked UP quickly at the first
word of English, gazed irresolutely at the
young man. AS he resumed his promenade
she hurried after.
'.Oh, monsieur! Sir"
The man started In annoyance at being
addressed, but as his glance fell upon the
troubled face his own softered. Involun-
tarily he lifted his hat.
s'What can I do for your he asked.
"Oh monsieur, you are English; you will
help me. I wish to go to Dinard. mon
sielr." The girl flushed scarlet under the
searching eyes. Il ran away" she fall
tered, hanging her head. The mans face
sobered.
Ran away! Why? Were they unkind to
your
"Oh, nor eagerly. But 1 want to go to
Dinard, to mother. She has rented a house
there for the summer explained the girl.
''Do take me. l am so tired of the con-
vent"
''You have run away from school. then"
She nodded.
The man considered moment.
81 don't like to take you.' he said at
length 'Yet neither do wish to assume
the responsibility Of leaving you here
alone" He paused.
do the sisters know where you are?'
"Oh, yes; 1 telegraphed them that 1 had
gone to Dinard and not to worry. 1 did
that when bought my ticket"
His face cleared a trife.
You seem to have your wits about you."
he commented briefly. Come along, then.
After all, 1 ran away from school myself
when 1 was shaver. But, then, it's differ
emit for man." he added severely.
She followed meekly as he preceded her
down the platform to- where Peters stood
by the door of a coupe marked reserved. If
the well-trained servant felt amy surprise
he made no sign, but helped her carefully
In. The young man gave some low-toned
orders, then climbed after her and closed
tho door. The girl. sitting in the farther
corner, looked at the tumble ofsrugs and
books and magazines that filled the COM
partment, then glanced ACROSS at the man
who had placed himself at the door.
And your servant?" she asked timidly.
Peters" The man stared. Peters trav-
els second, of course. What did you ex-
pect,' as a vivid dismay spread over her
face.
"And-and nobody, else can get In" she
stammered.- ..... RS ..rv e. go
Certainly pot This is a reserved car
riage." ',rsgs..,-, - .fns IT., -.
II must travel alone with ,you!"' with in
creasing distress.
''Of course,"a triHe impatiently.
The girl caught her breath fearfully. then
glanced toward the door with frightened
eyes; but even as she hesitated the train,
with much putting and blowing of steam,
rolled ponderously out OF the station. No
help for it now. What had she done. Act
ing on a sudden impulse at sound of an
mans protection But she had surely ex-
pected a nice fat French woman or two in
the compartment. His voice broke sharply
across her thoughts.
do you mind If smoker
"Oh. no." she answered hastily, and
watched while he pulled out a cigar, Lit it,
then after pull or two, buried himself in
the Times.
1ue TLuSilSIliidll uulSHeu Ills paper,
ing under sense Of injury at having
school girl thus thrust upon him. and yet
somehow vaguely conscious of a decided at
traction In the half-seen profile. After all.
she was very pretty and evidently high
spirited. Putting down. the paper he looked
frankly at her. The girl, sensitive to his
gaze, turned at once. paling trifle
Are you cold?" he asked. Shall I close
the Window"
She shrank further into the corner. "No,
oh, no."
Would you like book%'
mo, no. with a shiver. He caught the
motion and started forward.
"You are cold" he declared: ''let me close
the window
The girl uttered little CRY and slipped
small leather bag from her wrist.
Wrenching it open she pulled out pearl
handled pistol, and with shaking hand
pointed it directly at him.
'There!' she cried TREMENDOUSLY.
Good Lord!' calculated he, falling back
considerably startled els the girl madr'
Certainly not" with great indignation,
following the trains every movement with
the wavering pistol. But you shall not
kiss me-
kiss you, indeed" he repeated, more and
round kissing strange girls?"
why not" she retorted. "Au men do"
The man bit his lip.
Indeed. May ask where you picked
up your views on menu
1.-THE nuns told me. OF course, this only
applies to European men," added the girl
proudly mo American man would ever
take such a mean advantage"
Point that pistol somewhere else. please.
I am glad that you have such an exalted
ioea OF your countrymen. But do you class
Englishmen among Europeans?"
IT don't know" doubtfuliy. MY mother
has married an Englishman. But hardly
know him." said the girl. frankly. Since
mother married a title she doesn't seem to
care much for me any more" with little
sigh.
The Englishman looked Interested.
"She married title, did she? And you
careful Of the point, please-would you
marry titie?" toit59
'.She married only q obaronet." scorn-
fully. II would never marry anything
under a duke" - IT
Fancy! Have you met many dukes?"
IT have never met any"
mo? Well, I expect you wouldn't care
much for them. They're mostly poor lot.
But. my dear child, you will certainly hurt
somebody with that pistol II you are not
careful. Let me reassure you on my own
account at least. 4 know nothing about
other mems tastes, but personally never
care to kiss little girls
The girl flung back her head.
II am not a little GIRL" she exclaimed.
defiantly. the angry tears OF modification
springing unbidden. 81 am eighteen - that
Is, nearly eighteen II
$50 old!' gravely. 81 "But it's young for
me. You see, I am nearly twenty-seven.