Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1903-07-25
FROM A CAR
WINDOW -
BY Mary 6Uood
Copyright, 1907. by T. c. Mcclure
BY Mary eOood

particular afternoon it came to dead
stop.
Philip Bryce gazcd listlessly from the
window. He was tired after n hard
day at the office. and the prospect of a
lonely restaurant dinner and lonclier
evening in his apartments was not in
vting. 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 big city's a selfish sort Of
placer
Just then his glance reached win
dow OH the level of his own and rested
there. His face frightened. for the
somber curtains framed girl an un-
doubtedly pretty girl. And yet there
was something SO pathetic in the pic
turc that Bryce's heart gave 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 n scene painted by her imag-
ination.
Suddenly, as if walked from her day
dream by the tiXity of his gaze, she
turned. AS her eyes met his 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, obeyiny some unseen signal,
moved of around the curve.
AS it joltcd upon its way Philip
Bryce leaned back, with sigh. But
tliiS time the sigh WAS not for himself,
but for the girl. Poor little SOUL. he
said softly. "She looked even more lone
" than l. 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 ell
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 4 o'clock train. He
told himself that it was only because
it was his usual train. and he prded
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 ut her post. She
might have been reading. for n book
was in her lap. but Philip felt sure
that she saw him. felt sure that sud
den color flushed her cheek. Such mar
velous power has the human eye-on
occasion. The young man was unrea-
sonnbly happy over his discovery.
And so for many days. When twi-
light fell earlier, the girls slender fig
ure was silhouettcd against lamp
light. The curtains We're never drawn,
and she was never absent. She watched
for him.
The assurance gave Bryce the cour-
age to call on the jnnitor 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 jantors. 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 fiat?
Ah, yes Miss Metculf lived there
a nasty, cantankerous old lady. Her
companion, poor little Miss Lambert
had IL 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 1t was n 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.
"The poor young lady never gets O
breath of fresh air except when she
goes driving with the old one, and
never Il minute to herself except when
her tyrant is sleeping"
Sudden enlightenment came to Philip.
| Evidently Miss Metcalf took an after
noon sesta. He had to thank the god
OF sleep for these stolen meetings, if
meetings they might be called.
The janitor's story had strangely ex-
cited him, however. 1t was in All ex-
alted mood that he sailed forth like
knight of old to the nearest florist.
The purchase Of large bunch of vio-
lets somewhat soOthed his feelings.
But he reddened shamefacedly as he
inscribed n card, "From the man in the
var window" and addressed the box to
Miss Lambert That he, Philip
Bryce. matter of fact business man,
should be caught ut such schoolboy' 3
trick! And yet he gloried in the in
congruity.
The next afternoon he could hardly
wait until the train reached the curve.
Would she wear his flowers? Would
she smile her thanks?
But-the girl was not at her post: the
curtains were tightly drawn. The pain
OF the disappointment stung him into
energy. lie had allowed this girl to
grow into his life and thoughts. Should
he let her slip out again? Never.
With sudden determination he left
the train at the next station and
walked straight to the brownstone
house. The janitor recognized him.
He volunteered to show him the way.
The girl herself opened the door. Her
n.