The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1905-11-25
Favored by
Misfortune
BY CLINTON DANGERFIELD

Jerry Brannon studied her delicate
profile eagerly. through the medium of
one OF the dingy. naTrow. mirror panels
set in the car Hitherto he had always
considered these panels as Il weak truck
ing to feminine vanity. He now per-
| ccived their intrinsic value and blessed
| the man who had conceived the idea.
1t hurt him seriously to think that she
would Dnss out of his life when they
reached Louisville. He ragged against
| :he conventionalities which set Il barrier
between himself and the unknown.
\ TIWN-naiIcd. stately old gentleman,
whom ne correctly supposed to be her
farther sat beside her. and WAS just
Strewing her lap with magazines bought
from the train boy.
NO earthly chance for an introduce
ton" gToaned Bl'annon 10 himself Not
Il soul h,rc who could possibly help me-"
H's eyes involuntal'ly turned with dis
gust from the other occupants Of the lit
| tie car.
1t WIS a mixed train. running from
far beyond Anchorage. and it carried
half 4 dozen owners of small tobacco
| farms. on tie way to attend the Louis
Vile auction, and some equally bucolic
females. several of whom were bwrdened
with RESTLESS sticky children.
The fair unknown shonp the more by
contrast. Branncn involuntarily com
pared her exquisite grooming with the
frNSy condition of n mi,b,llc-Qgcd and
solitary fcu,al, who SAT inst ACROSS the
o Isle, from rim.
There WAS 70 huge basket on the seat
beside her. Over its ton wo,, tied ~ white
cloth. which ,..casionolIy bulrc,l mn fierce
ly in bunny spots. while smothercd
sounds of iunlti,1Iare wrath issued from
within.
The Cvrcr of the Laskct detected Bran
lone. glance. To his horror sIh. nodded.
smiled, arosc. and, coming across. DUNN
ed herself down beside him. smoothing
back her thin hair with a cotton gloved
hand.
II seed Won lookin' my N7ay." she Said
| with great fricndlincS4. "and I know,Sl
VOL wuz lest Spilin' TO find ont whats,
| in that there basket"
''paIdun me-" said Rmnnon. frecz-
irgh. 81 had not thought of the basket.
| would not have You nut yourself TO amy
Trouble in explaining. | am not the CON
du,tor. You know"
Good land" chucklcd his sclf-found
| friend. Did We think | took We for the
conductor: Why. he's dressed n 81 yht
smarter than YOU. Bright blue, and
br-,Ss. buttons ON if 'Stid of rny Not
but what you look real nice" She amend
90, hastily. That There suit fits YOU to
| a figger and sort of agrees with YOUR
style. | dunno but mcbbe Won look bet
tor in that than YOU would in his blue
ard brass
THANK you" said Brunpon, with an
IRONY totally lost.
Jerry was no snob: but the familiar
| marhcre. of 1he owner of the basket
made him rage lest the unknown sit
ting several seats ahead, should regard
her as belonging to him. He assumed
a pose of quiet icincSs. which was quite
ulrdetcctcd by the friendly dame beside
BIN.
His Indifference as to the mystery Of
| the basket had the usual stimulating ef-
feet. She lowered her voice to Il conf
daltial pitch, determined 10 interest him.
"CunductUr. he knows there's poultry
in tmat there basket" she said, in a
Falf whisper. but he. don't know ALL"
Jerry remained silent.
"Thry amt no common chickens.
They ar, thoroughbred games. I'm A.
tal.in EN- in 70 n Young fellol in town.
| IN afcard he's gon' to fight the cock.
hut husband he saws faint none of our
affair."
Jclly looked out of the window.
"That there cock" pursued she. "has
got the wuSt temper in Kaintuck, am
the hens thcy amt much better"
Jerry tried another tack.
.Tar s,,,.mli,,., r",,., ti,1,,, ,I,, ,ri1t
cover LOOKS loose.