Middletown transcript., 1905-07-29

and the streets about her were filled with
people why should not one of the two
men whom she had in mind be still at
his post?
She asked for her desired number and
boldly entered the close and confidential
heavy with tobacco and rendolent OF
whispered secrets. "Is this the Tribune
once ?..... Yes, the Tribune editorial
department ?...... Hello, hello.....Is Mr..
Stockton there, Mr.. Richard Stockholm. ).
Gone out of town on his vacation 2.
Very well......No, no message, thank
you"
She hung up the receiver and marched
out to stake her all on the last throw.
In exchange for her last dime, she had
In few moments the advantage of learn
ing that MIR. T. Walters, her only re-
naming dependence, was temporarily
out OF town on canoeing trip.
She was penniless, alone in New York,
with no means for getting out of the city
and no means for staying in it, Her
ticket for Tuxedo was good only for the
twelve O'Clock train, which was even
now steaming triumphantly away from
the hot and hopeless city, with its load
OF happy passengers. The bank was
closed-her mind ran back to the sign,
CLOSED at noon during August" There
was no use in trying another bank, since
when her accustomed counting house had
repudiated her, there was small chance
OF compassion at the hands of total stran-
gers and besides-of course, all the other
banks were closing early, too! Her
friends were out Of town-one and all
they had deserted her. She was hot, she
was tired, she would soon be hungry,
and, above all, she had upon her shout
ders that dreadful Old Man of the Sea,
that hackman who even now was waiting
Tor her, and to whom she must by this
time owe untold amounts.
Oh, why had she taken a cab If
only she had thought to cut her cloth
according to her measure, and braved
the terrors of the cross-town cars, then
she might with a clear account have
gained the heaven OF the Tuxedo express,
and been now, penniless but safe, speed |
ing on her way to her friends. Where |
should she turn now? To be sure, there |
was always But no, after those things |
he had said when they parted-no, better
die first, OF sun and starvation combined |
A bright idea struck her. She had |
heard of people pawning things when
they were in difficulties. "The three
golden balls T. said she, and smiled to
herself in sudden relief at this inspiration.
Then her heart sank, and for the first |
time she rebelled inwardy against the
strict standards of elegance in which. she
had been reared, and which forbade to
the traveller any ornament but the sim
plest and most necessary. She took
swift inventory of her available property.
A nickel wrist-watch in leather strap,
two plain silver hat-pins and tiny gold
pin in the back OF her collar. Not one OF
these worth the trouble and modification
of pawning, when the prospective cab
bill was considered.
''If only it weren't for these horrid hi h
girdles, hooked up and down." she ie-
Elected mournfully, "I'd at least have
a belt buckle. But all this is trumpery
oh, what shall | do ?''
She sat down for moment in an alcoye
off the foyer, and tried to assume the
intelligent and interested expression OF
one who awaits friend. The moments
went by, time dragged on. still she sat
there. She took out the check from the
bag and contemplated it /: fifty good dol
lars-freedom, release and luncheon !
locked up in that little slip Of pink
paper, that heartless, worthless little slip.
What cruel, unfeeing place New York
was, where they wouldn't give you any
money without your being identified land
where everybody made point Of being
out Of town
Suddenly her reverle was broken by
an unexpected voice.
''lf you don't want the cab any more,
ady, then give Inc my fare and | wont
wait any longer"
Miss Carleton looked up with a sudden
stare. There before her, gIuweIilg z oom-
ly, was the cabman-that useful in
lividual who like fire makes Il good SER
rant but bad master, and whuse long,
srrear Of miles and hours hung like a
about his bankrupt passei gers
leck.
She rose LASTLY. "OiI, but do want
,ou longer" sic said, quickly IL
vas just waiting here for ali appointment
which l think now must have been at
he Waldorf. So | want you To drive
ne there noW-Thirty- fourth street en-
rance"
The cabman famed himself with his
lat. Sorry, lady, but can't take you
10 farther. It's one o'clock"
CONTINUED NEXT WEEK
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