The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1904-06-23
When a Mans
BaShfuI
BY OHIO B. SENGA
Copyright, 1904, by Z. G. Mcclure

side seat at the end of the car, waited
for the girl. She came in at the next
station. He feigned absorption in his
newspaper, but really lost no move
ment of the graceful figure, and man
aged to get a glimpse of the fresh
color in her cheek and the pretty wave
of her dark hair.
''She grows prettier every day." he
remarked to the advertising column,
land I'm a goner."
He looked down the aisle and en-
countered the gaze of the girl Her
quickly averted eyes and heightened
color were balm to his soul.
'Allah be praisedv' he whispered,
seemingly scanning the paper again.
THAT'S the first indication that my
lady is aware of my existence and I've
sat in this same seat and watched for
her every morning for exactly 1S5
days. Hang the conventions! I'd like
to walk up to her and say: Madam,
would you be kind enough to give me
your address? / intend to call upon
you to win your love and eventually
to marry you / wonder what she'd
say"
What do you ride sideways for?'
cried voice at his elbow. 'Why
don't you sit over hereY'
Billy made. quick resolve. Bob
Tennessee knew almost every one in
Boston and was as white souled and
honorable as if his profession We're
preaching the gospel instead of de-
tecting criminals.
Bob, go out and speak to the
brakeman. When you come back look
at the lady in the fifth seat from the
rear, on the left side of the car. See
if you know her."
Bob complied unquestioningly, but
when he re-entered the car and look
ed toward the seat indicated he hur-
ried past the astonished Billy and
took the seat beside the girl, who
greeted him warmly.
When the train drew in at the South
station Bob looked up and waved
farewell to Stevenson, who stalked
grimly out to the street.
Bob Tennessee is blatherSkite."
he muttered savagely. I'D like to
punch his headv'
He was still chatting under his wrongs
when Bob sauntered into his office.
You did me a good turn this morn
ing, old boy" said Bob blithely.
"Go away" growled Billy; I'm too
busy"
stop writing a minute" whispered
Bob. II want to tell you about her."
The pen went busily scratching on,
and Billy made no reply.
"Her name is Murdock-Grace Muir
Dock
Mr.. Stevenson is serenely uncon-
scious
"She is assistant editor on Brinsley's
Magazine" pursued Bob. 1--WE known
her since she was child. At one time
I was terribly sweet on her older sis
ter, but" signing, "she preferred Tom
Trevors."
Showed her good TASTE" interposed
Billy vengefully.
"'Let dogs delight to bark an bite"
quoted Bob soothingly. "Only that I'm
a second John Rogers I'd never tell
you that I'm to be on that same train
tomorrow morning, and she says I may
introduce you"
"Oh, don't trouble" loftly. 81 may
take an earlier train tomorrow morn
ing"
That's gratitude for your walled
Bob.
'It doesn't at all matter" Indifferent
ly, "and if it did might find some
way to attract her attention"
"Oh, of course, you might" retorted
Bob witheringly. "You might forge a
fit and fall at her feet, frothing at the
mouth. That would undoubtedly at
tract her attention
But Stevenson was impregnable to
his sarcasm, and Bob departed.
Billy was of many minds that day.
He half resolved to take different
train and in some way to make the
acquaintance Of the girl without Bob's
assistance. Then, remembering the
dignity of her bearing, he shivered at
his own audacious thought. Diffidence
was his one weakness. How he longed
to possess Bob Tennessee's ready ease
and absolute assurance. The self con-
fiict ended in his taking the usual train,
weakly relying upon Bob's promised in
PRODUCTION.
When the girl came in, looking pref
tier than ever, he waited feverishly for
Bob. A wave of indignation swept
over him when no Bob appeared. His
anger overcame his difhdence. Bob had
taken unfair advantage Of the stu
alton. Even now he might be some
where on the train, enjoying his
friends disappointment and discount
ture This thought spurred him on.
Taking his cardcase from his pocket,
he wrote on a card: Our friend Bob
promised to introduce me this morning
In his absence, may not come and
speak with your
A half dollar and whispered in
structiOn to the train boy, and the
thing was done. Billy suffered ago
MES in a brief minute. Ills heart