Los Angeles herald., 1906-04-08

appearing in the door of the parlor
A,TyyfluH car. 1t is not often vouchsafed to
sfsSf8Iffu man to see, in the dull dawn of a
March day, at q way station, lady
travelling unattended and wearing a long Empire
coat lined with ermine. But it was not the
sumptuous garment which fastened his gaze,
rather the frank look from the sombre eyes as
she passed.
Later he abjectly besought the porter to give
him seat next hers, and strangely fretted
until the train pulled out and he found that the
car had but two occupants, and he might sit
where he would and catch gmpses of the face
beneath the gray hat.
She soon removed it and hung it with the
ermine-lined coat, and he felt unreasoning
sense of satisfaction in the revelation of a gray
gown of some soft, clingng material
Il have always liked women who wore gray"
he reflected, and, looking towards the nmbus
of brown hair above the chair, wove pleasant
fancies as the train wound up the mountain,
1t was a region where the rains had descend
ed and the floods had come to the deluge point,
and the landscape bore ominous from the
conflict. His solitary companion up the aisle
turned to look back at a wrecked bridge, and he
caught again that calm, level glance from the
unsrning eyes. 1t gave him odd idea of the
intimacy of thought that may exist between two
strangers and he hungered for another but she
fell to reading little red book, and he began
restless peregrinations to the smoking compart
ment. 1t afforded him a sensation in which sur
prise and wonder were mingled to see above her
ear lock of hair which had many threads of
gray. 1t added a singular note to face which
was still young.
Finally the train stopped and remained so long
that she reused from absorption in her book and
looked out along the precipice close to which the
{rac Law Hofa 4 he bpr
face bore a well-defined expression of relief and
satisfaction and the man who watched it
veled exceedingly.
An hour passed, and then he caught another
glance from the blue-gray eyes He sprang to
his feet and walked directly to her side.
II can't help it if you snub me and call the
porter and the conductor and all the fellows on
the train he exclaimed, I've got to speak to
you. =
But here she broke in faint smile lighting
the shadow her face: "Why didn't you come
before? Do you know. if you hadn't spoken to
me very SOON I should have been tempted to
break window make some violent demon
stration which would have demanded attention."
The man almost gasped, and she continued, as
if reading his thought:
eyes, / know it is unconventional. Possibly
You are wondering whether I in the habit
of going to and fro on the earth talking with
strange men without an introduction I shall
not explain; the day is too brief 1t is my only
day"
Il am too happy to he allowed to speak to
you at ALL" he stammered, an eager glow in his
ewes. 'I wanted to follow you into the train
and sit right in this chair next yours, but I
didn't quite dare although I'll dare do most
things to get what | want"
Il know" she said softly, adding in matter
of.fact tone: 'Now, I do not intend to kid
nap you. I have no sort of designs upon you. but
wanted you to talk to me, and here you are
proceed" and she nestled back with a sigh
of content.
He drew the chair round where they could
both look down the gorge and leaned forward so
that the clear profile of his companion was
carved against the velvet background for his de-
lectation. Beneath that gaze, bold yet tender
she stirred uneasly.
"What lot of time I've wasted" he COM
planned as if 10 himself.
Yes, haven't we?" she said, and his heart
gave extra throb ut is so stupid when the !
world is a little with only two people in it
and they sit at opposite ends and glover at each
other. You were so slow in coming and the
day is so brief"
Again the alusion to the brevity of the day, |
and he said wonderingly-
But there other days"
oh no." she answered gravely. mot for me |
They are for others. This is all my day in the
wide world. Please talk to me, I am waiting;
and sit forward where ] can see your face. I |
am glad you so good to look at"
Again he felt utterly bewildered. This was
certainly a new experience. He was not ignorant
of his advantages in the way of appearance. but
he was not accustomed to hearing them discussed
with so much candor.
Il cannot talk" he declared helrlessly. "The
words | want to say dare not speak"
Say the words you dare not speak" she urged
gently. "Ihey are what 1 wait to hear on this,
my day
"How can I do what YOU ask" he demanded
as in desperation, after a little silence 'TIow
dare I tell you that every time passed wanted
to touch your hair? Great Heaven. what is
woven in that soft, cloudy blur against wo-
mans temples that so drives mans wits from
his head? How dare I tell YOU that more than
ever I wanted anything in my life 7 wanted to
touch your hair"
Eyes, yes!" she half whispered, her eyes al