Williston graphic., 1904-09-01

down to the station to see him off? l
am very sorry you did that. Mary.
You mean we'll, Mary, but you will
never be q diplomat"
81 hardly know why I did It," ex-
planned Mrs. Farley, the light still
shining in her pretty eyes. 1T was
just an impulse"
Mr.. Thomas Farley stood in the
long waiting-room with his back tr-
ward the throngs of people that came
and went. He was devoting much
frowning attention to 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
ti1nldly 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, stiffly 81 did not
expect to see you here. However, since
you have come-it gives me an oppor-
tunity to say good-by. am going
away" e..
."Indeed!" she said. buttoning the
other button of her glove. 'How funny
that I happened to come in just in
time to see you of. was going to
ask you when the B. & B. was due-a
friend of mine coming in-not that
need trouble you'll can ask the por.
ter, Of course"
1T comes Immediately after my train
pulls, out" said Mr.. Farley, still labor
iously polite. II leave in ten minutes"
"And so you are going away?" said
Miss Downing in tones Of amusement
what a day of mourning this will be
among the girls!"
1"The girls? What have the girls to
do with it, pray?" demanded Mr.. Fair
ley, frowningly.
"All abor' f. Snat Nap Schag-
dum-m-m!" shouted the porter, with
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.
"Oh, Tom-before you co." said Miss
Downing, tanning herself with her
handkerchief" hot they do keep
these places! Help me off with my
coat may have to wait for long
time" +
She could have slipped out of the
pretty, sill-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 curious object on
the front of her waist. 1t was surely
a bunch of withered flowers. When
she saw that he had noticed it she has
tily covered it with her hand.
"What violets are those?" he asked,
80, n ~ ouo1u onr ind voioo
Hurry, Tom-your train might
leave" she exclaimed, blushing rosily.
"What violets are .those?" he asked,
moving little nearer
"I-they-do hurry, Tom," she cried,
unpinning the withered .violets and
holding them behind her like child
caught at some misncief.
what violets are those, Gertie?" he
demanded, sternly. II insist on know.
ing. Oh,-Gertie- they the ones"
"Of course they are. Goosie" re-
turned Miss Downing, with rush Of
moisture to her eyes. "1-.I couldn't
bear to throw them away-and so
have been wearing them-but forgot
at least-1 didn't suppose would
take off my coat"
"Gertie-don't trife this time!" he
implored, coming nearer still. "Have
you kept those fowers-because-b
cause
He could not finish, for it meant 80
much; but she tilted an impertient
chin toward the placard on the wall
and read it with absorbed attention.
EYES," she whispered, softly. II
kept them-because!"
And the train went out unheeded
toward that polyglot 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
self enough to communicate the news
to his wife.
ut takes me to manage them!" he
said, with jovial chucklings. II knew
Toni can just about see what that
boys thinking, Mary. saw it was my
cue just to let him go and not say
4 =