The labor argus. [volume] (Charleston, W. Va.) 1906-1915, 1906-10-11
HIS BLAsTE0
ROMANCE

tonably dressed young woman I'll 8
evidently ill at ease. s
He looked wistfully at the yo.
woman. who was certainly anvth. >
but comfortable. Perhaps som. ono
had expected had failed to uu, !,
appearance. Possibly she was IN
frightened, or had taken the W..
train Perhaps he could be of SOW,
assistance. He could recall numera,.
instances where he had been of ass,.l
ance to young and distressed femir,t
tty- AT any rate,it was clearly necessa-l
that something should be done. /, al
equally clear that he was the man !
do it.
Steadying himself by the chairs III
the train was running at the rate II
&C miles an hour. Merrick went foil
ward.
Il beg your pardon" said he pau.l
ing at the young woman's elbow, Il
wanted to offerIyou seemed uneasy
20, SO uneasy!' admitted the lady
you are in trouble; perhaps I could
help you?"
Il am hungry" she confessed. flush
ing prettily. II am starving
There's a dining car forward" he
gan Merrick, eagerly. "The service
is excellent
But not for me. I'm a pauper. III
have no money. My companion car.
ried my purse. We were separated
in tremendous crush in Twenty.
third street. Fortunately, 1 had my
ticket. and enough change to pay for
my seat in my glove. 1t was hope
less to think of trying to find anyone
in such crowd. SO escaped with
my life and came straight to the
train
THAT was certainly the best thing
to do" said Merrick, approvingly.
I'm afraid, though" confessed the
lady, that 1 have been foolishly ex
travagant. 1 should have gone into
the day coach and> saved my money
for my luncheon, but 1 hoped my
friend would catch the train. l ate
very little for breakfast; you can't
think how it makes me feel whenever
that man pokes his head inside thu
door and calls out: Dinner now ready
In the dining carr
Merrick, who had just lunched
sumptuously in Jersey City, laughed
sympathetically.
I'm hungry, too" said he, IN.
| blushingly. You must dine with
| me-
20, no"
ooh. yes. If you prefer, you shall
sit at one table, and I'll take another
but"
1T isn't that. shouldn't mind"
Last call for the dining car" said
the steward, appearing at the door,
go ho
gritty
You see we must go at once" sale
| Merrick, rising eagerly. "This is gu,
last chance
But this is so improper" replied
the distressed lady, rising reluct
| antIy.
Not at ALL said Merrick, holding
the door open, encouragingly. II az
sure you I am considered a very prop
er person in Boston. I once laugh
Sunday school class
In another moment they were seat
ed at opposite sides of small table
What shall order for you?" asked
| Merrick.
20. everything. I could devour tn,
ferns in this fern dish"
'Blue Points?"
by all means"
In spite of her hunger, the youns
woman ate daintily. Merrick liket
the play of the dimple in hel
left cheek and the swift up
ward sweep of her long lashes. HI
approved also of her eyes. How pleas
ant, thought he, to serve tomato bisqut
| always to such a lovely creature! How
| pleasant to share all ones future
mushrooms with one that ate them 81
/ daintily!
Merrick had always said that h
| should marry when he should reacl
the matrt"e age of 80. He had onl.
six months left. and he was still un
| attached.
| His income had reached a satisfac
tory figure, and he was not withou
other attractions, and he felt that thu
| time had come for him to settle dow
for life
Just as his meditations had reached
this point and the lady had reache,
the salad, the steward approached witt
a telegram in his hand.
| Mrs. Bertrand?" he asked.
| YES replied the lady, eagerly
but TREMENDOUSLY. 81 am Mrs. Der
| trand.''
"A widow, perhaps thought Mer
rick, hopefully. = All southern girl!
marry early"
Would you mind opening tfis?" she