The Press., 1904-08-24
When a Mans
BaShfuI
Cop, right. 1904. by T. c. Mcclure
BY ONO B. sENGA


Mr.. William Stevenson, in the small
side seat at the end of the car, wai.eu
for the girl. She came in at the yeN1
station. He feigned absorpti~ IN ms
newspaper. but really lost no move
'ment Of the graceful figp<e' ana man
aged to get a glimpse of the fresh
color in her cheek and tho pretty wave
Of her dark hair.
"she grows prettier esery day." he
remarked to the advertising column
land I'm goner.'
He looked down the aisle and en-
countereo the ga,Le' OF the girl. Her
quickly averlyd eyes and heightened
color were BARN bis soul.
"Allah be praised!' be whispered,
seemingly scanning the PAPER again.
That's the first indication that my
lady is aware of my existence and I've
satin this same seat and watched for
Der every morning for exactly lS5
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? l intend to call upon
you to win your love and eventtklly
to marry YOU wonder what s I'd
say | .
what do you ride sideways fbr:'
cried voice at his elbow. 'Nhy
don't you sit over here"
Billy made quick resolve. Bob
Tennessee knew almost every one in
Boston and was as white s9'uIed and
honorable as If his profession were
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 q
farewell to Stevenson, who st4ikeo
grimly out to the street.
bob Tennessee is blatherskite.
he muttered savagely. "I'd like to
punch his head!
He was still chatting under his wrongs
when Bob sauntered into bis office.
/ "You did me a good turn this morn
ing, old boy" said Bob blithcly.
"Go away" growled Billy; "Pih too
busy"
'Stop writing minute" whispered
Bob. II want to tell you about her
The pen went busily scratching OH
and Billy made no reply.
'.IIer name is Murdock-GraceP 1ur-
dock"
Mr.. Stevenson is sereney uncon-
scious. .-
"She is assistant editor on Brinsley's
Magazine, pursued Bob. 1--WE known
her since she was child. At one time
II 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 >
quotetfa Bob saotiItrrsiJ. li,Ir- fssgs m
second John Rogers I'd newer tel
you that Pm to be on that same train
tomorrow morning, and she says may
introduce you"
ooh, don't trouble" loftily. II may
take an earlier train tomorrow morn
ing"
THAT'S gratitude for your walled
Bob. ... ....
'It doesn't at all matter" Indifferent
~, land If it did l 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
assistance. Then. remembering the
dignity of her bearing, he shivered at
his own audacious thought. Difhdence
was his one weakness. How he longed
to possess Bob Tennessee's ready ease
and absolute assurance. The self CON
flict 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 diffidence Bob had
taken unfair advantage of the stu
alton. Even now he might be some
where OIL the train, enjoying his
friends disappointment and discount
ture. This thought spurred 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 l not come and
speak with your
struction to the train boy, and the
thing was done. Billy suffered ago
MES in a brief minute. His heart
thumped against his ribs, and his No.
16 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 to her
side, feeling like a man just rescued
from drowning.
isn't this a delightful morning, Mr..
Stevenson" as If they were old friends.
"You are very kind. indeed" irrele-
vanity. II particularly wanted to meet
you today. for am going away to
morrow. and l want permission to
write to you"
He took the plunge like hero-not
The slightest trace of the timidity that
had given him the title of Bashful Bill
y among his college mates.
The girl caught her breath, but an
Swered demurely, Il read all manu-
scripts that are sent to me-"
!. "Yes, I know, but these will not be
,ffered for publication, and l want
something more than printed slip in
'eply."
"And Bob calls this man bashful,"
hought the girl, but she only said, 81
w,ef=Q H..