Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1904-07-22
When a Mans
BaShfuI
BY ONO 3. SENGA


Mr.. William Stevenson, in the small
side seat at the end of the car, waited
for the girl. She came In at the next
station. He feigned absorption in bis
newspaper, but really lost no move.
ment of the GRACEFUL figure. and man
aged to get glimpse of the fresh
color In her cheek and the pretty wave
Of her dark hair.
"Sho grows prettier every day." he
remarked to the advertising column
"and I'm Il goner."
He looked down the aisle and en-
countered the gaze Of the girl HeI
quickly averted eyes and heightened
color were balm to his soul.
"Allah be pralsedr' 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 fol
her every morning for exactly 1S1
days. Hang the conventional ia like
to walk up to her and say, MADAM
would you be kind enough to give me
your address? l intend to call upon
you to win your love and eventually
to marry you l wonder what shed
say"
What do you ride sideways forT'
cried voice at his elbow. "Why
don't you sit over here"
Billy made quick resolve. Bob
Tennessee knew almost every one In
Boston and was AZ white souled and
honorable as If bis profession were
preaching the gospel instead of de-
tectlng criminals.
bob, go out and speak to the
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 tho South
station Bob looked up and waved q
farewell to Stevenson, who stalked
gIimly out to the street
Bob Tennessee 10 a blatherskite,
he muttered savagely. "rd like Il
punch his head"
He was still chafing under his wIongi
when Bob sauntered into his offtcS.
you did me n good turn this morn
Ing, old boy" said Bob blithely.
800 away" growled Billy; "I'm toe
busy"
stop writing a minute" whispered
Bob. 81 want to tell you about her"
The pen went busily scratching on
and Billy made no reply.
Her name Is Murdoch Grace Muir
dock"
Mr.. Stevenson Ia serenely uncon-
sciOus
"She IL assistant editor on Brinsley's
Magazine" pursued Bob. "Rye. known
her since she was child. At one time
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. "0nly that I'm
second John Rogers ia never tell
you that I'm to be on that same train
tomorrow morning, and she says may
introduce you"
"Oh, don't trouble" lofttly. II may
take an earlier train tomorrow morn
ing"
That's gratitude for your walled
Bob
at doesn't at all matter" Indifferent
ly, "and If 1t did | might find some
way to attract her attention"
"Oh, Of course, you might" retorted
Bob wltherlngly. you might forge a
ut and fall at her feet, frOthing at the
MONTH That would undoubtedly at
tract her attention"
But stevenson was impregnable to
his sarcmm, 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 audaclous thought Dihidence
was his one weakness. How he longed
to possess Bob Tennessee's ready ease
and absolute assurance. The self con
hlct 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 feyerishly for
Bob. A wave OF Indignation swept
over him when no Bob appeared. His
anger Oyercame his difiidence. Bob had
taken unfair advantage Of the stu
alton. Even now he might DO some
where on the train. enjoying his
friends disappointment and discount
ture. This thought sDurred him on.
Taking his cardcase from his pocket,
he wrote on 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 tho train boy, and the
thing was done. Billy suffered ago
MES in brief minute His henri
thumped against his ribs, ana his No
10 collar seemed four sizes too small
The girl read the pleading line, looked
deliberately down the aisle and nod
ded brightly. He made his way 10 her
side, feeling like man just rescued
from drowning.
isn't this n delightful morning, Mr..
steyensonY AZ n they we're old friends.
"You are very kind, indeed" irrele-
vanity. 81 particularly wanted to meet
you today, for I am going away to-
morrow, and 1 want permission to
write to you"
He took the plunge like hero-noi
this slightest trace Of the timidity that
had given him the title Of Bashful Bil
ly among bis college mates.
The girl caught her breath. but an
swered demurely, II read all manu-
scripts that are sent 10 me-"
yes, know, but these viii not b.
offered for publication. and I want
something more than a printed slip Ia
Fs.f,Iv0