Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1905-07-27
A TROLLEY
CAR ROMANCE
By PRANK n. BIcKEBLL


pulled up ct the junction, and there
.Gas fierce scramble for seats. Eus-
Eace arrived breathless and painting,
aust In time to secure the last vacant
one. Not until the car had started ON
AGAIN did he turn to look fairly at his
.aeat mate on the left; then he found
himself gazing into very handsome,
but flushed and rssepHul face. His
own color rose suddenly.
NJ I'll didn't notice." DO stammered.
Apologetically; II really did not /
thought you were in Chicago"
NAnd thought you were In st.
louis" abe retorted, with an injured
air.
II left yesterday; felt that needed
sa--some-well, short vacation" ne
made out to explain.
"Ahl" she said, lifting her chin q
snvlHe and using a tone that was dis
Ainctly meant to show him how ut
tarly Indifferent his affairs had become
10 her. Then, with q decided move
ment, she turned from him and gazed
straight ahead.
A second food surged painfully into
MS cheeks, but he set his lips and
tgaEed forward, too. When the con-
iAnctor came for their fares Eustace
ahanded him q dime, which he poCk-
rsted, ringing in for two.
"Here!" called the lady sharply, but
ne conductor passed on without MOTTO
Ang the nickel she had extended. Her
sGhcs blazed. III you did that pur-
rNoaely," she said to Eustace, you
tfgere-"
'But didn't" he quickly protested;
- had nothing smaller"
Then take this" and she tried to
force the coin into his hand.
as 1t necessary he asked, drawing
tnway.
-'Of course; why should l allow IA
stranger to pay my fare?" she de-
sananded haughtily.
1Oh, very we'll, II am that"
s1Ae said, looking deeply hurt, and
yielded to her will. ....
they we're in the open country now,
ana the car was rushing over q pri-
ssate right-of-way through green,
aloWer-bedecked fields.
''See the pretty daisies!" cried .
ahild In the seat behind Eustace.
He was glancing at them mechan-
laeally and listlessly when his compan-
inn uttered a dismayed ejaculation. A
,pnff Of the fresh westerly wind against
sahich the car was speeding had torn
M her hat, and 1t was rapidly being
left behind. The conductor had seen
stbe mishap, howevera and promptly
seang the bell. The air-brakes were
applied and the big vehicle slid to a
0tandstill.
'I'll run back for It," said Eustace
40 the conductor, and the latter was
entirely willing to let him do 60.
The hat was lying In the grass some
.Nnrds from the road bed. He picked
e I'D, clutched a handful Of daisies,
and hurried back. He boarded the
oar quite out Of breath, and was
nbllged 10 press his hand to his side
- he gave her the hat She took II
s1lthout q word at frst, but after she
shsA fastened Il IN place she said;
-You should have let the conductor
20. You're nearly exhausted. You
Know the doctor warned you against
100 violent exertion. This is the eco
rnnd time to-day you've bean lmpru-
aasst-to my knowledge"
She spoke with severe reproCf, yet
me hardness OF her tone seemed TO
,aover the presence Of feeling which
nhe would have been most unwilling
nat he should suspect
Il don't believe shall die Of II this
zine" he returned With affected care
annuness, however much Of q relief
M death might be to-"
~stop!" she interrupted sharply
-sDo you think you needed TO say
matt II seems 70 me II was in the
sHorst possible tasts." ~
well, didn't say II, 30 thsre's
20 harm done" be remarked, . tribe
euilenly.
For some time they rode on IN 81
1nncs. By and By he offered . heal.
1nfinE comment upon an unusually pio-
onrnsque BIT Of scenery. but sns dis
oninsd making any response she
nnuld not even look q him nov. The
~ arrived IN . small town and
rnpped several tines. kfisr one q
r1aso stops be said GltMy;
- man has Just 90 on Gnd In a
r1sant placs back thars; can take
81 you ulah to ct rid Of me-
yer wefir nha anrucrrt cconIt