Waterbury evening Democrat., 1905-06-28
A TROLLEY CAR ROMANCE
By PRANK M. BIcKnELL
Copyright. 1905. by W. G. Chapman,

pulled up al the junction, ana there was fierce scramble for seats Eus- tace arrived breathless and panting, just in time to secure the last vacant one. Not until the car had started on again did he turn to look fairly at his seat mate on the left; then he found himself gazing into very handsome, but flushed and resentful face. His own color rose suddenly.
 I-I didn't notice" he stammered. apologetically; q really did not. I thought you were in Chicago"
 And I thought you were in St. Louis" she retorted, with an injured air.
 q left yesterday; felt that I needed a-some-well, a short vacation" he made out to explain
 "Ah!' she said, lifting her chin . tri1e and using tone that was dis tinctly meant to show him how ut terly indifferent his affairs had become to her. Then, with decided move ment, she turned from him and gazed straight ahead.
 A second flood surged painfully into his cheeks, but he set his lips and gazed forward, too. When the con- ductor came for their fares Eustacs handed him dime, which he pock- eted, ringing in for two.
 "Here!" called the lady sharply, but the conductor passed on without notic- ing the nickel she had extended. Her face blazed. If you did that pur- posely," she said to Eustace, you were"
 But didn't" he quickly protested; T had nothing smaller"
 Then take this" and she tried to force the coin into his hand.
 "Is it necessary" he asked, drawing away.
 "Of course; why should allow a-a stranger to pay my fare?" she de- manded haughtily.
 "Oh, very well, if I am that" he said, looking deeply hurt, and yielded to her will.
 They were in the open country now, and the car was rushing over a pri- vate right-of-way through green, fower-bedecked fields.
 See the pretty daisies." cried child in the seat behind Eustace.
 He was glancing at them mechan- lcally and listlessly when his compan- ion uttered a dismayed ejaculation. A puff of the fresh westerly wind against which the car was speeding had torn off her hat, and it was rapidly being left behind. The conductor had seen, the mishap. however, and promptly rang the bell. The air-brakes were applied and the big vehicle slid to . standstill.
 'I'll run back for it. said Eustace to the conductor, and the latter was entirely willing to let him do SO.
 The hat was lying in the grass some yards from the road bed. He picked 1t up, clutched a handful of daisies. and hurried back. He boarded the car quite out of breath, and was obliged to press his hand to his side as he gave her the hat. She took 1t without word at first, but after she had fastened it in place she said:
 You should have let the conductor go. You're nearly exhausted. You know the doctor warned you against too violent exertion. This is the sec ond time to-day you've been impru- dent-to my knowledge"
 She spoke with severe reproof. yet the hardness of her tone seemed to cover the presence of feeling which she would have been most unwilling that he should suspect.
 q don't believe shall die of it this time" he returned with affected care lessness, however much of a relief my death might be to-"
 Stop" she interrupted sharply. sDo you think you needed to say that? It seems to me it was in the worst possible taste"
 Well. didn't say it. so there's no harm done" he remarked. a trifie sullenly.
 For some time they rode on in si- lence. By and by he offered a hesi- tating comment upon an unusually pie turesque bi; of scenery. but she dis dained making any response She would not even look at him now The car arrived in a small town and stopped several times. After one of these stops he said stif1y:
 "A man has just got off and left . vacant place back there; I can take lt if you wish to get rid of me"
 "Very well" she answered coolly; it certainly will be more comfortable here with only four on the seat
 He had hoped she would not aceede to his proposal quite so readily, but aow he was fairly forced to carry it out He stepped down to the running board and retired to the unoccupied seat, an inside one so far in the rear that he could no longer see her at all After he was settled he remembered that he had left the bunch of daisies he had so hastily plucked with the half-formed idea of offering them to her. Would she. on discovering them at her side. hurl the poor little flowers scornfully awayg
 The railway was for the most part At one of the occa- sional sidings the car halted. After a few minutes wait the conductor went forward. and the passengers on