The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1905-06-22
A TROLLEY
CAR ROMANCE
BY PRANK NJ. BIcKNELL


r HE long distance open trolley car
pulled up at the junction. and there
was a fierce scramble for seats. Eus-
tace arrived breathless and painting.
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 a very handsome,
but flushed and resentful face. His
own color rose suddenly.
IL didn't notice" he stammered,
apologetically; Il really did not.
thought you we're in Chicago"
And | thought you were in st.
Louis" she retorted. with an injured
air.
Il left yesterday: felt that needed
a-some-well. a short vacation he
made out to explain.
All" she said, lifting her chin a
trifel and using a tone that was dis
tinctly meant TO show him how ut
terly Indifferent his affairs had become
10 her. Then. with a decided move
ment. she turned from him and gazed
straight ahead.
a second food surged painfully into
his cheeks, but he set his lips and
eazed forward. too. When the con-
ductor came for their fares Eustaee
handed him a dime. which he peck
eted, ringing in for two.
"Herel" called the lady sharply but
the conductor passed on without motto
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;
81 had nothing smaller"
Then take this" and she tried to
force the coin into his hand.
rs it necessary" he asked. drawing
away.
"Of course; why should | allow IA
stranger to pay my fare?' she de-
manded haughtily.
"Oh. very we'll. if ! 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 7ri-
NdlC IlSnl~Oi wi l tuiOubu Eittn.
fiower-hedecked fields.
See the pretty daisiesl" cried a
child in the seat behind Eustace.
He was glancing at them mechan7
ically and listlessly when his compan-
ion uttered dismayed ejaculation. A
puff of the fresh westerly wind against
which the car was speeding had torn
off her hat. and il 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 a
standstill.
'Ill run back for It. said Eustacc
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
It up. clutched a handful of daisies.
and hurried back. He boarded the
car quite out Of breath and was
Obliged 10 press his hand to his side
as he case her the hat. She took Il
without a word at first, but after she
had fastened it in place she said.
You should have let the conductor
60 You're nearly exhausted. You
know the doctor warned you against
too violent eXartion. This is the sec
Ond time to-day you've been impru-
dent-to ny knowledge"
She spoke with severe reproof. yet
the hardness OF her tone seemed to
cover the presence OF a feeling which
she would have been most unwilling
that he should suspect.
Il don't believe ! shall die Of ii this
time" he returned with affected care
lessness. however much of a relief
ny death might be To-"
stop" she interrupted sharply.
DO you think you needed to say
that? 1t seems to me it was in the
worst possible taste"
well | didn't say it. so there's
no harm done" he remarked. a trine
sull, hly.
For some time they rode on in 81
lence BY and by he offered a hest
tating comment upon an unusually pic
turesque bit 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 stifiy
"A man has just got OF and left a
vacant place back there; | can take
Il If you wish 10 get rid of me"
very we'll" she answered coolly;