The Irish standard., 1904-08-20


young lady to get out Of a wrapper
and into street costume.
Considering past occasions. when
Mrs. Farley had waited long and pa
tiently for Miss Downing to make a.
change of the same description, that
Isyoung lady broke all records on this
particular morning, though her hands
ltrembled absurdly, and everything she
wanted was out of its proper place.
An Indispensable belt finally hid itself
so securely that Miss Downing had
turned over everything in the room
three times before it was discovered,
hanging over the back of chair in
plain sight; and it is a matter Of his
tory that the belt was put on as she
fled downstairs, casting an imploring
look at the clock in the hall as she
went The clock seemed take pleasure
in announcing that the hour was verg
ing on toward IL.
Mr.. Thomas Farley stood in the
long waiting-room with his back to-
ward the throngs of people that came
and went. He was devoting much
frowning attention to a placard on the
wall which announced, gently but
firmly, mo Smoking Allowed on These
Premises" Indeed, the mere glimpse
Of his face was so forbidding that the
young lady who had approached with
the intention of asking question was
almost deferred from speaking at all.
But she took courage, after all, and
timidly touched his arm.
IF you please" she breathed, in the
lowest of voices, could you tell me
when the B. & B.-why, Toni"
Miss Downing was so surprised to
see Mr.. Farley in the station that her
face flushed very prettily.
Mr.. Farley lifted his hat with
marked politeness.
"This is rather surprise, Miss
Downing" he said, stifiy. II did not
expect to see you here. However, since
you have comet gives me an oppor
tunity to say good-by. am going
away"
Indeed" she said. buttoning the
other button of her glove. "How funny
that I happened to come in just in
time to see you off. was going to
: D.
friend Of mine coming in-not that I
need trouble you'll can ask the por-
i ter, Of course"
! ut comes Immediately after my train
pulls out" said Mr.. Farley, still labor
iously polite. II leave in ten minutes"
/ After which Mr.. Farley turned
again and read with much attention,
''No Smoking Allowed on These Prem
ises."
| "And so you are going away?" SID
/ Miss Downing, in tones of amusement,
"What day of mourning this will be
among the girls!"
*''The girls? What have the girls to-
do with it, pray?" demanded Mr.. Fair
ley, frowningly.
Gall abor' f. Snat- Nap Schag-
dum-m-m!" shouted the porter, with a
roar. There was general movement
Of the crowd trainwards. luggage
laden. Mr.. Farley took up a grip
from the floor and turned his face
toward the door. - ~
J ooh, Tom-before you co." said Miss
Downing, tanning herself with her
handkerchief,-"tow hot they do keep
these places! Help me off with my
coat may have to wait for long
time'' q, -r
| She could have slipped out of tho
pretty, silk-lined affair without his
: aid, but she held out an arm quite
helplessly, and looked up at him. He
set the grip down and took the cuff in
his hand with an old, painful thrill
shooting through his heart.
! One sleeve was off-she turned to-
ward him to thank him, with the
sweetest Of smiles
$50 thoughtless of me to detain you,"
she murmured, looking up at him with
the old, adorable look from beneath
long lashes. His eyes were dilated.
He was staring at a curious object on
the front of her waist. It was surely
a bunch of withered flowers. When
! she saw that he had noticed it she has
I; tily covered it,with her hand.
I what violets are those?" he asked,
in curiously constrained voice.
! Hurry, Tom-your train might
leave" she exclaimed, blushing rosily,
| what violets are those?" he asked,
! "I-they-do hurry, Tom," she cried,
= unpinning the withered violets and
holding them behind her like child
! caught at some mischief.
what violets are those. Gertie?" he
!, demanded, sternly. II insist on know.
ing. Oh,-Gertie-are they the ones"
"Of course they are. Goosie!" re-
turned Miss Downing, with rush Of
= moisture to her eyes. I'll couldn't
bear to throw them away-and so
have been wearing them-but I forgot
at least-I didn't suppose would
., take off my coat"
"Gertie-dont trtfle this time!" he
implored, coming nearer still. Have
you kept those Overwhelmingly.
, cause"
He could not finish, for it meant 90
much; but she tilted an impertient
chin toward the placard on the wall
and read it with absorbed attention.
eyes," she whispered, softly. IT
!, kept them-because!"
And the train went out unheeded
toward that po!yglot country indicated
by the porter.
When the old man had shaken Toms
arm almost of, and had made arrange
ments for taking him into Immediate
partnership, he tried to command him