Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1903-08-04
FROM A CAR
WINDOW ~
BY Mary 6E,ood
BY Mary oOoo0

particular afternoon it came to a dead
stop.
Philip Bryce gazed listlessIy from the
window. He was tired after n hard
day at the office, and the prospect of a
lonely restaurant dinner and a lonelier
evening in his apartments was not in
viting. He gave an impatient sigh as
his glance travelled up the height of the
brownstone building. Just like my
house." he commented. Probably just
as full of people, each one knowing lit
tie aid caring less about the rest.
Lord, but big citys a selfish sort of
placer
Just then his glance reached win
dow on the level of his own and rested
there. His face frightened, for the
somber curtains framed girl, an UNI
doubtedly pretty girl. And yet there
was something so pathetic in the pic
ture that Bryce's heart gave a throb.
The girl leaned forward, her delicate
face supported by her clasped palms.
Under a waving mass of pale gold hair
dark eyes looked sadly far beyond the
train into a scene painted by her mag
| nation.
Suddenly, as If walked from her day
dream by the fixity of his gaze, she
turned. As her eyes met his a wave of
crimson surged up to the roots of her
hair. With proud little movement
she drew back into the shelter of the
curtains. And at the same moment the
| train, obeying some unseen signal.
moved off around the curve.
AS it jolted upon its way Philip
/ Bryce leaned back, with a sigh. But
! this time the sigh was not for himself,
/ but for the girl Poor little soulv' he
| said softly "She looked even more lone
ly than |. Wish could do something
for her Well, I'll look out for her to-
morrow, anyway" Strange to say, the
recurrence OF this philanthropic
thought infused brightness into his en-
| tire evening.
/ There was an unusual element of
haste in the way in which he sprinted
| up the stairs of the elevated station
the next afternoon. 1t seemed matter
/ of the greatest importance that he
should catch the o'clock train. He
| told himself that it was only because
| it was his usual train, and he prided
| himself on his regularity. But there
was that in his manner which belied
his words.
! AS the train slowed up for the curve
his eye eagerly sought certain win
! dow. The girl was at her post She
| might have been reading. for book
/ was in her lap, but Philip felt sure
| that she saw him, felt sure that sud
den color flushed her cheek. Such mar
yelous power has the human eye-on
| occasion. The young man was unrea-
sonably happy over his discovery.
And so for many days. When twi-
] light fell earlier the girls slender fig
ure was silhouetted against lamp
light. The curtains were never drawn,
and she was never absent. She watched
for him.
The assurance gave Bryce the cour-
age to call ON the janitor of the brown
stone house and inquire as to the
| prices of vacant apartments and Incl
dentally as to the girl.
The janitor was loquacious, after
the manner of janitors. As he watched
the smoke wreath up from one of
Philips best cigars he felt that for
once he had listener worthy of his
powers. The third story front fat!
| All. yes. Miss AIetcalf lived there
nasty, cantankerous old lady. Her
companion, poor little Miss Lambert,
had hard time of it with her. How
she ever stood it all he didn't see. She
was some sort of poor relation and
likely didn't have anywhere else to
stay But it was shame the way
the old lady deviled her.
| The janitor grew quite excited over
it. So did Philip. In fact, he had
some difficulty in restraining his feel
ings. But he forbore to interrupt the
janitor. Such information was pre-
cious.
1.-THE poor young lady never gets q
breath of fresh air except when she
goes driving with the old one, and
never a minute to herself except wher
her tyrant is sleeping"
Sudden enlightenment came to Philip
Evidently Miss MetcaIf took an after
. noon siesta. He had TO thank the god
of sleep for these stolen meetings. il
meetings they might be called.
The janitor's story had strangely ex
cited him. however II was in an ex
allied mood that he sailed forth Hk'
knight of Old to the nearest florist
The purchase Of a large bunch Of vic
let's somewhat soothed his feelings
But he REDEEMED shamefacedly as III
inscribed card, From the man in th'
car window" and addressed the box t
Miss Lambert That he. Philil
Bryce, matter of fact business man
should be caught at such schooIboy'
trick. And yet he gloried in the in
congruity.
The next afternoon he could hardl.
wait until the train reached the curve
Would she wear his flowers: Woul'
she smile her thanks?
But-the girl was not at her post; tn
curtains were tightly drawn. The pal
of the disappointment stung him Int
enersE. He had allowed this girl I
grow into his life and thoughts Shout
he let her slip out again? Never.
With sudden determination he ief
the train at the next station an
walked straight to the brownston
house. The janitor recognized hin
He volunteered to show him the way.
The girl herself opened the door. he
chaatS were uaIer than usual and be