The Van Buren press., 1904-07-23
"A COUPE
COMPLICATION
BY
BELLE MANIATES
Copyright, 1904, by Daily Story Pub. Coz

n the tender dusk OF an evening in
/ the early spring, Vivian Warne
called informally upon her friend, Mrs.
Allen. They chatted for few mo-
ments and then Vivian resisted all
urging to remain longer, pleading an
atcer of menu cards to be delivered
to Mrs. Van Altern. who lived on the
other side of the city.
When she came out into the soft
darkness she found the unstirred air
full OF a vapory mist so deadly to
piUmed millinery. She went back into
the house. which was one in a block
o, stone fronts, to telephone for ear
riage. Mrs Allen regretted the alb
ssnce of her coachman, but Vivian was
accustomed to livery accommodations
Presently young Ned Allen came in
and brought the information that the
carriage was waiting at the door.
Vivian made a second exit, but when
she went out to the curb the driver
remained in his seat.
she thought, as she opened the door Of
the coupe, 81 wonder if he thinks |
have footman!"
"Drive to 1915 Fifty.fourth street"
she commanded.
He made no response, but held his
gaze strictly front" with the fixedness
of a Tommy Atkins on parade.
stephens & Co are getting too swell
for me-" she reflected, as she seated
herself and slammed the door. What
lovely appointments for livery! |
hope they haven't increased their rates
along with their style"
She leaned luxurlously back in the
corner Of the coupe and dreamed Of the
time when the golden days of fame
should watt her from an artist in en-
bryo to a painter of portraits. She was
called to reality by the halting of the
carriage. Supposing she had reached
her destination she opened the door
and discovered that she was in an en-
tirely different part of the city AM
that the coupe had stopped in front OF
the Atheneum club.
Il didn't suppose Stephens & Co.
ever made one coupe answer for two
calls" she reflected as she closed the
door, "but | don't mind having a lon
ger ride"
In a moment a man came out OF the
club and stood where the light fell full
upon his handsome face. Vivian ut
tered little exclamation Of dismay
and sank farther into her corner. A
year ago she had been engaged to Car
ton Leigh. They had first met at a
house party and afterwards she had
visited a friend who lived in his city.
There had been some sort of misun.
derstanding and he had declared that
she alone was entirely to blame and
must make the first advances toward
reconciliation. OF course no self-re
specting woman would do that. and
she had therefore returned the ring
that had once cleaned upon her third
finger and had devoted herself to stu.
dio life and many backward glance
tinged with regret, but fortified by a
steadfast resolve to never make any
overture. She had heard recently from
their mutual friend that he was to
make this city his home. but she did
not know that he had arrived,
She was seized with apprehension
Was he going to get in this coupe?
She would not speak until he did. He
opened the door and started to get in
She had turned her face away from
him, but she felt his start Of surprise.
Then she heard him say in his well.
bred, modulated tones;
Il beg your pardon,"
There! He had spoken first, and
with little air OF triumph she faced
him, the light In front Of the club
shining full upon her face as II had
on his a moment before,
"youl Viyian!" he said. II q voice
that thrilled old memories aud feel.
lngs. In an instant he was seated
beside her, the door had slammed shut
and they were away
This Is too good TO be true" he
saId, joyfully
II ordered carriage from the Nv
ery,' she said, stifly, "and they evi-
IDENTIFY thought It would answer for
your order. too
"Oh, that was the way OF It." ne
said, well, | am glad OF the mis-.
take, but, are you in much Of hurryY
II not, am going to ask favor Of
YOU It is very important that ! see
a man on business who leaves the cen
tral depot at 1880, and there Ia Just
time TO make IT,
"Oh, certainly" she answered, coldly,
at makes no difference"
at makes no difference YOU mean,
whether you ride one block or a hun
dred, Are you as indifferent as that,
Vlvian?'
She made no response, Presently he
broke the silence,
"DId you know that ! was living
here, In this city, now Vivian"
mo. why did YOU move here'"