Casco Bay breeze. [volume] (South Harpswell, Me.) 1901-1917, 1905-06-15
TICKETED TO
MATRIMONY

Copyright. 1905. by T. c. McCiurc.1
m sorry 1 jOked about the little
poem" he pleaded contritely. make
ZIP. and Ill never say anything like
S,at again"
You will not have the opportunity.
Jimmy Garrison" she scoldci. Take
back your ring. AMI I'm never going
TO speak TO you again.
Il say" he cried. don't take IL like
that. You'll have to speak To me
agaia."
Never" she rctortcd firmly. IF 1
/ do TII''--
Take back the ring urged Jimmy
before she could finish.
Yes" Grace Burton assente,l. If I
ever speak To you again I'll take back
the ring"
Jimmy looked ut her rueiully rs she
turned away.
But the next day there seemed small
chance Of an early reconciliation. for IL
was announced that Grace was TO
spend the winter with an aunt in Los
Angeles and was to start i'm few
days. Ii was rather short notice. but
Mr.. Burton had been suddenly called
To Europe. and he could not take 10th
Mrs. Burton and Grace
Secretly Grace was sorry that she
hal permitted herself to become so
angry over Jimmy's jokes about her
little poem which the local paper had
printed. but she was stubborn. and
after final appeal Jimmy yicltiei To
fate and announced that he would
leave that night for Chicago.
Apparently he went further afield
than that. for a few mornings later the
Overland rolled into Omaha. an,l there
was Jimmy on the station platform
waiting to take passage. Grace gasp
ell rs the porter ushcred him into a
section few numbers ahead of her
own. hut to outward appearances she
was absolutely ignorant of his pres
ence
She fidgeted about uneasily through
the twenty minute wait i'm the station.
while he regarded her with the uncon-
Germ OF stranger, and she was glad
when the train got under way again
and he had gone forward to the smok-
err
He was back presently. though. and
was in his section when the new con-
Guctor came through. Jimmy prompt
ly handed up his ticket. but there was
some delay when Grace surrendered
the check for her transportation. given
| to the conductor overnight.
You had pass, didn't you:" asked
| the conductor as he glanced AT the
number on her check and selected an
| envelope from the package he carried.
Can you identify yourself:"
She glanced through her pocketboOk.
but there was nothing which could
serve tn identify her. and through some
mischance she had not signed the tick
ct. as she should have done. when IL
had been given to her
Unless you can show some identifi-
cation / shall have to collect n cash
fare" the conductor said sharply. no.
| ticing her helplessness.
II can't" she stammered. Il have
not that much money with me-
ANY one on board who can identify
you?' Clearly he was growing suspi-
| cious. Grace was desperate.
THAT gentleman up front knows me-"
she said slowly. Indicating Jimmy. The
! con,"ctOr went forward, and she
watched him curiOusly. 1t was odd
that Jimmy, who had evidently taken
this train 10 tease her. was to- be of
some real service to her instead.
But somehow the conductors face
did not express satisfaction as he came
| back down the aisle
Il suppose you are convinced now?'
said Grace. with confidence she did
not feel. as he stopped ut her seat.
lie says he knows the real Miss Bur
ton" said the conductor. cying her
sharply.
| There was an odd little gasp Of anger
as Miss Burton sprang to her feet and
unstcadily made her way down the
aisle. the conductor following. Jimmy
Garrison" she demanded. do you
mean TO tell this conductor that you
don't know meE'
Never said it." said Jimmy calmly.
''IIe asked me II I could Identify Miss
Burton. and I said I knew Miss Bur
4 tom
"WellT' she said In puzzled tone.
Possibly" explained Jimmy blandly,
The might have gathered from my tone
that I did not see Miss Burton on the
car"
You mean" she corrected. that you
wanted to make me ask you to identify
me-"
"Yes." said Jimmy soicmnly. Offering
ring. II thought you might speak to
me-"
For the first time II flashed upon
her what business had drawn Jim.
my west, and while he was assuring
the CONDUCTOR that she was Miss Bur.
ton she flew back to her seat AMI sat
there with flaming checks. Jimmy
followed her as soon as he had. dis
posed OF the conductor.