Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1906-10-11
HIS BLASTED
ROMANCE


evidently Ill at ease.
He looked wistfully at the young
woman, who was certainly anything
but comfortable. Perhaps some one she
had expected had failed to put In an
appearance. Possibly she was iii or
frightened, or had taken the wrong
rain. Perhaps he could be Of some
assistance. He could recall numerous
Instances where he had been of assist.
ance to young and distressed feminin.
ty AT any rate,it was clearly necessary
that something should be done. 1t was
equally clear that he was the man tu
do it.
Steadying himself by the chairs. for
the train was running at the rate OF
50 miles an hour. Merrick went for,
ward.
Il beg your pardon" said he paus
ing at the young woman's elbow,
wanted to offer-you seemed uneasy
20, so uneasy" admitted the lady.
"You are in trouble; perhaps could
help your"
Il am hungry" she confessed. flush
ing prettily. II am starving"
There's a dining car forward" be-
gan Merrick, eagerly. "The service
is excellent"
But not for me. I'm q pauper.
have no money. My companion car.
ried my purse. We were separated
in a tremendous crush In Twenty.
third street. Fortunately, ! had my
ticket, and enough changR to pay for
my seat in my glove. W was hope
less to think of trying to find anyone
in such a 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 l have been foolishly ex.
travagant. ! should have gone into
the day coach and saved my money
for my luncheon, but / hoped my
friend would catch the train. ate
very little for breakfast; you cant
think how 1t makes me feel whenever
that man pokes his head inside thu
door and calls out: Dinner now ready
in the dining car"
Merrick, who had just lunched
sumptuously in Jersey City, laughed
alphabetically.
I'm hungry. too" said he, un.
blushingly. You must dine with
me-"
20, no"
"Oh, yes. If you prefer, you shah
sit at one table, and I'll take another.
but"
1T isn't that. l shouldn't mind"
Last call for the dining car" said
the steward, appearing at the door,"
90" gasped the young woman, hun.
grilv.
You see we must go at once" said
Merrick, rising eagerly. This Is our
last chance"
But this is so improper" replied
the distressed lady, rising reluct.
antly.
Not at ALL" said Merrick, holding
the door open, encouragingly. Il az.
sure you am considered a very prop
er person in Boston. / once taught
Sunday school class"
In another moment they were seat.
ed at opposite sides Of small table
What shall ] order for your" asked
Merrick.
20, everything. / could devour the
ferns in this fern dish"
Blue Points,"
"By all means"
In spite of her hunger, the young
woman ate daintily. Merrick liked
the play of the dimple in her
left cheek and the swift up
ward sweep of her long lashes. He
also of her eyes. How pleas.
ant, thought he, to serve tomato bisque
always to such lovely creature! How
pleasant to share all ones future
mushrooms with one that ate them so
daintily!
Merrick had always said that he
should marry when he should reach
the matrVe age of 80. He had only
six months left, and he was still un-
attached.
His income had reached a satisfac.
tory figure, and he was not without
other attractions, and he felt that the
time had come for him to settle down
for life.
Just as his meditations had reached
this point and the lady had reached
the salad, the steward approached with
. telegram in his hand.
MRS. Bertrand?" he asked.
"Yes," replied the lady, eagerly,
but TREMENDOUSLY. Il am Mrs. Ber-
trand."
"a widow, perhaps" thought Mer-
rick, hopefully. "All southern girls
marry early"
Would you mind opening this?" she
asked, turning to Merrick. my hand
shakes SO. A telegram always fright.
ems me. Read it to me, please"
And Merrick read:
"a. Bertrand. passenger train No.
etc:
did you take train? Wire instant
Iy. Pennsylvania station. G. Der.
trand."
your father?" asked Merrick
eagerly.
my husband" explained the lady,
with sigh of relief and a blush.
Have you pencil, and will you kind.