The Bellefontaine Republican. [volume] (Bellefontaine, Logan County, Ohio) 1855-1905, 1903-10-06

The elevated train always slowed up
before II came TO the curve. On this
particular afternoon 1t came TO a dead
stop.
Philip Bryce gazed listlessly from the
window. He was tired after hard
day ut 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 and caring less about the rest,
Lord. but u big city's a selfish sort Of
placer
Just then his glance reached a win.
dow on the level OF his own and rested
there His face frightened. for the
somber curtains framed a girl. an un-
doubtedly pretty girl And yet there
was something so pathetic I'm the pic
ture that Bryce's heart gave a throb.
The girl leaned forward. her delicate
face supported by her elasped palms.
Under a waving mass OF pale gold hair
dark eyes looked sadly far beyond the
train into a scene painted by her imag-
ination.
Suddenly, as II 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 n proud little movement
| she drew back into the shelter of the
curtains And at the same moment the
train, obeyiag some unseen signal.
noyed of around the curve.
AS II 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 soulr' he
said softly. ''She looked even more lones
" than !. Wish could DO something
| for hes. 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 a matter
| OF the greatest Importance that he
should catch the 4 o'clock train. He
/ told himself that 1t 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
| mis- eye eagerly sought a certain win
dow. The girl was ut her post She
might have been reading. for a 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-ea
occasion. The young man was unrea-
ronably 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
spl 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 inci
aentaily as 20 the siri-
Tine iauitor 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 rront fiati
All. yes Miss Metcalf lived there
nasty. cantankerous old lady. HeI
companion. poor little Miss Lambert
had u hard time OF 1t with her. How
she ever stood It all he didn't see. Sh,
was some sort of n poor relation anC
likely didn't have anywhere else e
stay But 1t was shame the wa,
the old lady deviled her.
The janitpT grew quite excited owe
it. So did Philip. In fact. he hat
some difficulty In restraining his feel
lngs- Hut he foTbore 10 interrupt TIN
Janitor. Such information was pre-
cious-
"The poor young lady never gets
breath OF fresh air except when sh
goes driving with the old one. an,
never n minute to herself except whel
her tyrant Is sleeping"
Sudden enlightenment came to PhiliI
Evidently Miss Metcalf took an after
noon siesta. He had TO thank the go
of sleep for these stolen meetings.
meetings they might be called.
The janitors story had strangely e,
cited him, however. 1t was in an e,
alted mood that he sailed forth hk
knight of old to the nearest fioris
The purchase Of large bunch OF VIZ
lets somewhat soothed his feeling
4 But he Redeemed shamefHcedly as b
inscribed u card. "From the man in II
car window" and addressed the box
Miss Lambert That he. Phil
Bryce. matter of fact business ma
should be caught at such n schoOlboy
trick! And yet he glOried in the Ii
cougruity.
4 The next afternoon he could hard
wait until the train reached the curv
4 Would she wear his flowers! Wou
2 she smile her thanks?
But-the girl was not At her post; Il
{ curtains were tightly drawn. The pa
J of the disappointment stung him in
energy. He had allowed this girl
& grow into his life and thoughts. Shou
7 he let her slip out again? Neverl
With sudden determination he le
the train at the next station al
J walked straight to the brownsto
house. The janitor recognized hi
He volunteered to show him the way
The girl Lcrself opened the door. ii
.,-a-r ...Iar than md n