The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-02-04
A Romance Of Travel.

A Romance oil IraVel.
1t might not have happened if
Chelmsford hadn't noticed her vainly
trying to overcome the obstinacy of the
car window. And it might not have
happened then, had she not shot that
appealing glance in Chelmsford's direc-
ton. To that glance from those eyes,
elmsford-hitherto invincible- capt.
ulated.
He dropped his grip and tackled the
window. Under the spell of those eyes
and that smile he was conscious of
Samson-like strength; If necessary he
could have torn the window from its
casing. After he had conquered the
window there was nothing to do but
resume the grip, acknowledge the
thanks, and continue his search for
vacant seat. 1t was really too bad that
the other half of her seat was occupied
by her mother.
When he had at last settled down, he
tried to turn his thoughts to the breeze
kissed lakes, denizened by voracious
and inquisitive bass. which he had re-
luctantIy left behind; to the city of
turmoil and smoke to which he was
reluctantly returning; but they deter
minedly refused to turn from-those
eyes.
At each stop of the crowded excur-
sion train he watched to see if she left
the coach. When she and her mother
arose, as the train pulled into his own
station, he hurried forward, elated, only
to behold a handsome young fellow
meet them and bear them triumphantly
away, paying especial attention to her.
Thirty minutes later Chelmsford
slammed a grip upon his dressing table
and scowled hercely his reflection in
the mirror.
Just my luck" he growled. Missed
the one opportunity of my life"
He Slipped the catches of the grip
and ierked it open saEagely. Strange
and surprised articles new forth. ar
ticles quite foreign to the apartments
| of a bachelor. Marvellous and dainty
| garments, decorated with delicate lace
| and bows of ribbon, rose I'D from the
/ yawning receptacle to confound him A
! bunch of tiny hairpins tinkled on the
| table. A downy powder puff rolled
| forth, its faint incense rising to aston
ished nostrils.
mer' Chelmsford gasped. IT'S her
gripi''
A little package of letters nestled at
the bottom, the uppermost envelope
/ bearing an inscription:
MISS GRACE OLCOTT,
''2714 North Walnut St,
4 City"
Only five blocks away! One never
knows how near he may be to Para
disa.
Gingerly reverently, he tucked the
escaped articles into the grip, snapped
1t shut. and rushed out
|
/ street she herself answered his ring.
She uttered a little cry of mingled joy
and dismay. and held out her hands
for the grip.
Naturally. They are precisely alike
and"
''Horrible!" she interrupted. and fed
with her grip.
Chelmsford his property, with few
cool words of thanks, and laid her hand
on the knob of the door. Evidently
she considered the affair as closed in
| cident So Chelmsford lifted his hat
politely and returned to his rooms
4 humbl=-.
An obIong of pasteboard on the floor
caught his eye. He snatched it up,
turned it over, saw a face, and-killed
it. Then, seeking solace, he searched
his grip for something which should
have been put in it, but which wasn't t.
Meditatfng for a moment, he smiled
hopefully.
| Next day arrived a little missive:
| Pardon me if I say that a gentleman
! would not have kept my photograph.
Kindly return it at once-by mail
! (Miss) Grace Olcott.''
Promptly Chelmsford retaliated:
Pardon me for wondering what use a
lady can have for my pipe. I shall call
for tin person. specialization
Chelmsford
AS he approached the cottage next
morning she emerged, hated and
| gloved, bearing a stenographer's note
| book She blazed at him for moment
with those eyes, then melted and laugh
ed merrily.
What a muddIeI That pipe must
have fallen out when we opened your
grip We thought Brother Will had left
it when he brought US from the station.
I'll run in and get it,
The pipe restored, Chelmsford OBJ
served brazenly:
Come on Well miss our car. You're
going down town, aren't you?''
| She was, of course, and Chelmsford,
and-yes. to her-that car seemed to
travel exasperatingly fast as they
| chatted together. AS he handed her
from the car she said, suddenly:
MY photograph You must return
! that-you know
rs it really necessary that I return
''Why, certainly"
by mail?'' he asked. smiling.
She looked down and shifted the note
/ book nervously.
81 think shall bring it-this even
ing"
She looked W at him quickly. then
! down again.
quick The cars going May II"
She glanced up arclly, smiling be-
Ewitchingly:
IF you think that safer than the
mail" she called back as she turned
| away.-Frank N Stratton. in the VAL
ley Weekly.