The Montgomery advertiser., 1905-07-09
A PAIR OF WET FEET.
BY EDWIN CARLILE LITsEf. Copyright, 1905. by Daily story ruo

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 BY EDWIN CARLILE LITsE1.
 Copyright. 1905. by Daily Story fuo' Co.)
 Elmer Jarvis was in beS humor. He pulled his travelling cap down ovei his eyes with an undisguised scowl' sank back in his seat in the Puiiinan n coach and glared from under the pear of his cap at the rain falling without He. had ben up north on fishing trip, but the trout had ben shy. and ms luck, most miserable. Finally he had quit in disgust. come back by way oi | Washington to spend q day wltn friend of his father. found the Rentie- 1 man in question out of town. ana m mediately took a through train TOT the South. To crown his misfortunes ne was desperately lonely. and the down pour of rain added to his low spirits The coach was almost empty. There were only three oir four persons in IL besides himself. Turning from a glum survey of the compartment. Jarvis saw through his window small group hurrying along the platform There | were only three in the group-two ! women and a man. There was some thing in the carriage of the one next to him that claimed his attention. The way she handled her skirts; the elusive | grace which even her haste could not overcome, caused the young man to push his cap back and curiously press his forehead to the window pane. The little party stopped at the steps, the gentleman assisted the ladies up then followed himself, and moment later they entered Jarvis's car.
 | Number six" the man was saying. Here's your berth, Miss Selden. Are | you sure you're not wet""
 ''Oh, Lutie! know you'll be sick!' the other lady exclaimed. impetuously. Why didn't you let us get a car riage?"
 Tt wasn't necessary, Miriam, dear" replied Miss Selden Really, I'm all right, and I've had such good time. I can't thank you and MT. Nevili enough"
 We are so glad you came" answer ed the gentleman, as the bell began ringing Let us hear from you of ten-Good- bye! So glad to have had you!"
 1 There followed q confused tumble of | farewell speeches. an excited kiss or l two, and Miss Selden was left alone. l She was across the aisle from Jarvis | and just one seat ahead So he could | regard her without rudeness whenever | he chose He chose to right often. He 1 had pieced together the scraps of con- versation which he had caught. and he knew beyond the shade of doubt that a | dear friend of his sister, and famous | Kentucky beauty, sat in that seat Just ahead His face immediately lost its l gloom and an amused expression stole l over it. He quickly decided that he would introduce himself, but every time 1 that he got ready to move across the aisle his courage gave way. She really looked unapproachable. Not cold. nor 1 naughty but protected, as it were. by l barrier of sweet womanliness. Jarvis i somehow felt that it would be impu- dent In him to force himself upon her. | Still he watched her almost eagerly, | wondering all the time why he did not l go to her and tell her who he was. | After her friends had left the youn g | lady deftly touched q pin here and there | In her hair. gave quite casual glance | about to see what manner of fellow passengers she had then fell to watch- | ing the swirling rain. Jarvis noticed that she kept moving her feet back un der the seat. then out again. Finally | she thrust one shoe from under her skirt. bent down and deliberately un- buttoned the two straps which secured it. As she drew 1t off Jarvis could not help seeing that her stocking had a red pattern over the instep. and was decidedly wet The other shoe, like wise, soon found a place on the seat beside her, and the eyes of the watcher across the aisle saw that the patent leather glistened from the rain.
 | To possess a sister broadens the edu- | cation of any man. Thus, from his sis ter, Jarvis knew that wet feet meant a headache, Or neuralgia. He had wit messed the dire dilemma in which his sisters friend was placed, and 1t was his duty to his sister to give aid. But how? The young lady's distress was becoming more and more marked. She had surreptitiously opened her bag, but after prodding around in it for a few moments she closed 1t again with q sigh. and settled back, resigned to her fate. Then it was Elmer Jarvis squar- ed his jaw in resolution of purpose ldragged his dress case between his knees snapped back the clasps and dived into heterogeneous mass oi crumpled shirts and soiled collars, q box of cigars. pipe and tobacco pouch a revolver and quart bottle of whis- key Pushing all these hurriedly aside he presently drew forth a pair of beau tiful socks. These he deliberately folded and placed in the side pocket of his coat. Then he closed his dress case quietly arose and removed his cap walked over and confronted the dis tressed maiden. Her hands were clasp At in her lap. her head was resting against the back of the seat and her eyes were shut Evi- } dently the limit of her resources had been reached. For one cowardly mo- ment Jarvis was tempted to fly She looked so innocent. so helpless. and he was SO big and strong. He turned his head to see if anybody was watching him. and when he brought his eyes back hers were wide open. and fast ened upon him. He felt his cheeks burning, for he knew that retreat was cut off. He spoke quickly
 ''I beg your pardon: this is Miss Sel- den?"
 'Yes." There was hint of woman hood on the defensive in that mono syllable.
 Do you know Miss Esther Jarvis?'
 She Is a dear friend" The immo- bile face now Glowed with tender memory
 T am Elmer Jarvis-her brother"
 "Oh. are you?" A new light danced
 in her blue eyes as she held out her hand "Esther has shown me your picture I recognize you now Won't you sit down?" .*.
 She moved over to give him room adroitly covering the discarded slip pers with the folds of her dress.
 Thank you You go through to Louisville, I suppose?"
 Yes. and from thence to Spring field, my home" @::...%- We are having a fearful rain,' re stunned Jarvis. thinking pityingly of the little wet feet tucked securely out of sight. and realing that each mo- ments delay on his part increased the chance of sickness for their owner.
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