The Yale expositor., 1906-10-12
HIS BLASTED
ROMANCE

Except for one other traveller. Mer.
| rick had the luxurious chair car TO
himself. His fellow passenger. fash
ionably dressed young woman. was
evidently i'll at ease.
He looked wistfulIy at the young
woman. who was certainly anything
but comfortable. Perhaps some one sne
had expected had failed TO put in an
/ appearance. Possibly she was i'll ur
frightened, or had taken the wrong
train. Perhaps he could be of some
, assistance. He could recall numerous
instances where he had been of assist.
ance TO young and distressed feminin.
ity. At any rate, it was clearly necessary
that something should be done. II was
equally clear that he was the man to
do IL.
Steadying himself by the chairs. for
the train was running at the rate OF
so 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 you?"
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 a pauper.
have no money. My companion car
ried my purse. We were separated
in tremendous crush in Twenty
third street. Fortunately, / had my
ticket, and enough change to pay for
my seat in my glove. 1t was hope
less to think of trying to find anyone
in such 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 i have been foolishly ex
travagant. i 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 can't
think how it makes me feel whenever
that man pokes his head inside tho
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"
ooh, yes. II you prefer. you shall
sit at one table, and I'll take another.
but
1T isn't that. ! shouldn't mind"
Last call for the dining car" said
the steward, appearing at the door"
90" gasped the young woman. hun,
grily.
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 a.
sure you l am considered very prop
er person in Boston. / once taught
a Sunday school class"
In another moment they were seat.
ed at opposite sides of a small table
What shall order for you?" 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
approved 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
! dainuly!
Merrick had always said that he
should marry when he should reach
the matlSe age of go He had only
six months left. and he was still UNI
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.
EYES," replied the lady, eagerly,
but TREMENDOUSLY. II 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