Los Angeles herald., 1906-06-17

DO you live in PleasantvieW she asked in
surprise.
Il am visiting Mrs. Goodwin he replisd.
'Not Ella Goodwin?" she gasped.
"I am her brother' he explained
why live right next door to you," she ex.
claimed GLOW funny"
"Not how funny" he corrected. T should say
how nice "
gave other sign. '1 suppose you must be
Howard Thurmah." she went on.
"If you will accept that as an introduction,
am Howard Thurman he confirmed.
"I am Grace Robson" she said "I have an
engagement TO meet you this afternoon"
"This afternoon?' he echoed
Its tomorrow now" she explained. ''It is
almost o'clock"
''I did not realize II as late as that" he
said he drew out his watch. "I was at
church fair. Nettie was in one of the voting con-
tests and we had to stay until it was decided"
did she VIM asked Grace "She was so
anxious about It,"
"She did" he confirmed. "but at fearful
price. We paid something like $500 for fifteen
dollar watch"
"But think of the honor Of being voted the
most popular girl" she reminded
"An honor cheap at $685. he agreed. "May
her social successes cost no more"
''Fsresl" Thurman started. He had become
so engrossed in the conversation that he had for
gotten the conductor. He reached into the
change pocket of his storm coat, then withdrew
his hand and unbottoned the coat. Rapidly he
searched his pockets, but without success.
81 think / must have been cleaned out" he
church fair" he added in explanation to the
conductor. "Will You take my card and l will
send it to you in the morning"
LET me pay broke in Grace. at was my
fault, you know, that you lost that half dollar.
She opened her purse and fumbled in the
~
cry.
"Do You know she gasped 81 have no
money. Isn't it awfuls"
"a most lamentable state" he agreed. "and
you have my full sympathy, but ! can arrange
matters with the conductor"
"No you can't said that individual. 81
spotted you for a beat when you got aboard.
was trying to forget to pay. That sort of thing
don't go with me.
"What you going to do about it?" asked
Thurman. "Here is my card. | will send the
money over to the barn in the morning
''That won't co. repeated the conductor. I'm
here to collect fares. The company don't run
no credit account with me. Got watch?"
IT left it to be fixed this morning" explained
Thurman The conductor laughed
II told you you was dead beat" he sneered.
you'll get your watch back when you take
that dress suit case to the feller you hired it
from. You pay or I'll put you off,
'I wish YOU would try it," urged Thurman,
slipping off his overcoat. I'm longing for an
excuse to give you the thrashing you deserve"
81 have a watch" cried Grace, springing up.
'fWon't you take this, pleasey"
Take nothin' now," snared the conductor,
"after what that fresh guy said. You'll have to
get off,
"My father is stockholder in the road, she
said quietly, Offering him card.
"You can't have me fired" he jeered. 'I was
sacked day before yesterday. This is my last
trip, anyway. Come on, and he moved toward
Thurman.
Grace laid her hand upon his arm ''Please
don't strike the man." she pleaded. '1 would
far rather wait for the next than make a
scandal. 1t was very foolish of me to try and
get home when l found it was so late, but mother
is not well and when I found that j could not
get an escort 1 decided to come anyway The car
runs right past the door"