The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1906-09-25

changed its time on the bulletin board.
II was now due In 10 minutes. A few
students had boarded the Chicago train.
but a greater number still waited on
the farther platform. The girl in gray
was surrounded by half a dozen stu
dents, all talking animatedly. As
walked toward them l could not Justify
my stupidity In mistaking a grown wom-
an for a school girl of 10 or is; but Ii was
the tam shanter. the short skirt. the
youthful JOY in the outdoor world that
had disguised her as effectualy as Rosa
lind to the eyes of Orlando in the forest
OF Arden. She was probably a teacher
quite likely the teacher of music. /
argued. who had amused herself at my
expense.
1t had seemed the easiest thing in the
world TO approach her with an apology
or a farewell but those few inches added
to her skirt and that pretty crap toque
substituted for the tamo'- -shanter set up
a barrier that did not yield at all as l
drew nearer. At the last moment, as |
crossed the track and stepped upon the
other platform. IL occurred to me that
while i might have some claim upon the
attention of Olivia Gladys Armstrong, a
wayward school girl OF athletic tastes, I
had none whatever upon a person whom
II was proper to address MS Miss Arm
strong-who was. / felt sure, quite capa-
BILE of snubbng me If snubbing fell in
with her mood.
She glanced toward me and bowed In
stantly. Her young companions with
drew to a conservative distance; and I
will say this for the st. Agatha girls;
Their manners are beyond criticism. and
an affable discretion is one of their most
admirable traits.
II didn't know they ever grew up so
fast-in a day and a night!'
I was glad 1 remembered the number
Of beads in her chain: the item seemed
at once to become important
ITS the air. l suppose It's praised
by excellent critics, as you may learn
from the catalogue"
But you are going 10 an ampler ether.
diviner air. You have attained the
beatiic state and at once take flight II
they confer perfection like an academic
degree at St Agatha's, then"
had never felt so stupidity help
less In my life There were a
to her; there were countless ques-
tions wished TO ask but her
calmness and poise were disconcerting.
She had not apparently. the slightest Gu
hiosity about me; and there was no rea-
son why she should have1 knew that well
enough! Her eyes met mine easily; their
azure depths puzzled me. She was nl-
most. but not quite, some one | had seen
before and 10 was not my woodland
Olivia. Her eyes. the soft curve OF her
check the light i'm her hair.-but the
memory OF another time. another place.
another girl. lured only 10 battle me-
She laughed little murmuring laugh.
'I'll never tell IL you won't" she said
But ! don't see how that helps me
with your"
But ! don't 7nHona. .t%ay-odto;re-. .hCu
1T certainly does not That is a much
more serious matter. Mr.. Glenarm."
And tho worst OF IL Is that | have't n
single thing 10 say for myself II wasn't
the not knowing that was so utterly
stupid"
Certainly notl It was talking that
ridiculous twaddle. II was trying TO flirt
with a silly school girl. what will do for
fifteen is somewhat vacuous for"
She paused abruptly. colored and
laughed.
"1 am twenty-sevenv
"And I am Just the usual age" she said
ages don't count. hut time Is Inn
portant There are many things l wish
you'd tell me.-you who hold athe key Of
the gate Of mystery"
Then you'll have 10 pick the locki"
She laughed lightly The somber sis
ters patrolllng the platform with their
charges needed US little.
81 had no idea you knew Arthur Pick
ering-when you were just Olivia In the
tam -shanter."
Maybe you think he wouldn't have
cared for my acqua aintance-as Olivia In
the tam-o' -shantef Men are very dueerl"
But Arthur Pickering is an old friend
OF mine"
(To be continued tomorrow.)