The Montgomery advertiser., 1906-04-08
THE IDEALLADY.
KATHLEEN WHITTENBURf GILBERT.

BY KATHLEEN WHITTENboRh
 GILBERT.
 (Copyright. 1906. by Joseph B. Bowles.) )
 The station was crowded. The out going train had not a vacant seat' distracted ladies flew from door to door. tearing them open and before even looking to see if the car con tained an empty place. flying lmpae tinetly to the next. There were ol course. the usual number of persons to whom 1t was a necessity that this particular train should not be missed and who preferred to stand to being left lamenting on the platform
 Emong these the catching of this train meant much to tall, slender' brown eyed girl, who jumped witn agility upon the platform atno'' % the train started. Entering the car she opened a book and stood with an expression of determination to stand or die. ,,,a her before she had recognized Tn seat near her a youth who had o1ten given up his seat for her before. She bad not read a word of her book be- fore he had risen, with a cheerlul smile. and pointed to his vacnt place. Tn course of time the other pas sengers alighted one by one. and these two found themselves almost alone. It was a gloriouG autumn evenlng' l a b her head bent over her book, the vlvld colors of the setting sun turning her brown hair into red gold He sat Tn the corner opposite, his eyes riveted on her. She had taken off her gloves and her slim white fingers clasped her book; she sat so that her race was three-auarters towards him. her head bent, and her simple cotton gown Iall- ing gracefully about her.
 Unaware of his intent scrutiny, she started in surprise when suodehIy moving to the seat opposite her. ne spoke: ,
 q beg your pardon-but would you think 1t very queer of me II | askeo i you to let me draw you?~ Just now, as you sit there?"
 She raised her eyes and looked at him. She had considered him a mere everyday young man, but now she could see a sensitive, dreamy expres- sion in his eyes and around his mouth that stamped him an artist. She was so surprised that she could say noth- ing and he went on:
 q really wouldn't be bother 10 you, you see-and you don't know what II v-'lld mean to me.
 He had already whipped out note book and pencil. and his long fingers twitched as though anxious 10 oegIn, eTIi1,
 She looked at him with chilly smile. Its a very odd thing to ask. she began jelly. ,s anything at all about it. But l did not like to do that--it would nave seemed like stealing"
 There was something = astonlsnihs < in this shy boy becoming bold that the girl laughed in spite of herselr' 'Very we'll" she said, and dropplns her eyes on her book, apparently sdNe 1t her whole attention as before. But the book might have heen un- side down for all shc could make ot u. The words danced about in front oi her, and the sentences jumbled them selves together. It was With the greatest exertion of will power tna' ma she kept her eyes lowered at all. one longed to see what those clever iooA | ing fingers would make of ner. At last her station was reached | "Oh-don't-' came in a voice oi such heart breaking appeal, as she pre- pared to depart,
 "This is my station; I am going. she said, as the train began to siacK'
 "oh, no. Not just yet" he cried | with a ring of despair in his voice; l Endeavoring to feel angry. the gtr.
 looked up at him once more. sht
 would never have thought his lact capable of such expression and power While she looked she hesitated; th' train had stopped She still sat on.
 They say that he-or she--who hes