The Forrest City times., 1905-07-07
A TROLLEY CAR ROMANCE By PRANK M. ICKEEIL
t1or, night. lsc,. by W. c. Chapman.


 r HE long distance open trolley car
 pulled up at the junction. and there was q fierce scramble for seats Eus- tace arrived breathless and paEting, just in time to secure the last vacant one. Not until the car had started or 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.
 II didn't notice" he stammered apoiogetically; T really did not. thought you were in Chicago"
 And l thought you were in St Louis she retorted, with an injured air.
 q left yesterday; I felt that needed a-some-well,- short vacation" he made out to explain
 "Ah," she said, lifting her chin triile 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 duetor came for their fares Eustace 1 handed him dime. which he pock- eted ringing ill fer two. "Herei" called the lady sharply. but the conductor passed on without notic- l ing the nickel she had extended. Her i face blaaed. If you did that pur- 1 posely she sad to Eustaee you 1 were"
 But didn't, he quickly protested i; T had nothing smaller
 Then take this and she tried to force the coin into his hand
 "ls it necessary" he asked. drawing away.
 Of course; why should l allow a-a stranger to pay my fare?" she de manded haaghtily.
 "Oh. very well. if l am thai he said. looking deeply hurt, and yielded to her will.
 They were in the open country now
  vate right-of-way through green flower bedeeked fields.
 See the pretty daisies" cried { child in the seat behind Eustace
 He was glancing at them mechan ically and hstlessly when his compan ion uttered a dismayed ejaculation. puff of the fresh westerly wind agains
 
 off her hat, and it was rapidly bein. left behind. The conductor had seer the mishap, however, and prompt, rang the bell The air-brakes wer, applied and the big vehicle slid to standstin
 m run back for it." said Eustact to the conductor, and the latter wa entirely willing to let him dc so.
 The hat was lying in the grass som yards from the road bed He picke, il up clutched handful Of daisies and hurried back. He boarded th, ear quite out of breath and wa obliged to press his hand to his sid as he gave her the hat She took i without word at first. but after sh
 
 "Yeu should have let the conducto go You're nearly exhausted Yot know the doctor warned you agains too violent eXertion This is the sec ond time to-day you've been impru dent-to my knowledge
 She spoke with severe reproof. ve the hardness ot her tone seemed {, cover the presence of a feeling whicl she would have been most unwillin, that he should suspect.
 ''l don't believe l shall die of it thi time, he returned with affected care lessness however much ot relic my death might be to"
 Stop" she interrupted sharply Do you think you needed to sa, that? It seems to me it was in tn, worst possible taste"
 Well l didn't say it, so there, oo Sarm done. he remarked a trin sullenly.
 For some time they rode on in si lenoe. By and by he offered a hesi tating comment upon an unusually bic turesque bit of scenery. but she dis dained making any response Sh, would not even look at him now. Tn. ear arrived in Q small town apt stopped several times After one a these stops he said stifiy:
 "A man has just got of and left . vacant place back there; can talk, 1t if you wish 10 get rid of me-
 Very well, she answered soolly