The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1907-02-02
WHEN ELSIE WAS LOST.
BY MORRIS COOKE.

1 IA N n
rs there room?" Elsie locked appre-
hensively at the crowded car.
Easy" laughed Taylor. Here in New
York we don't call a car crowded until
there are people sitting on the roof. He
helped her aboard the platform and step
ped aside 10 let two other women on,
swinging himself on to the step just as
the car started.
Elsie looked back nervously at Taylor
and called warningiy: do not get lost,
Tom"
He waved reinsurance and then, some
one in leaving. forced her to step we'll
into the car. This prevented her from
knowing that Taylor had dropped of the
car step to let some passengers alight and
that the conductor had given the go ahead
signal before he could swing himself
back on again. TWO other men regained
the step, but Taylor was left in the street
saying things about the traction company
and all its employees.
All unconscious, Elsie rode until the end
Of the run was neared and the crowd
thinned out before she was able to see
that Tom was not on the car. She beckon-
ed the conductor.
There was gentleman on the rear
platform" she said
Lots OF en-" agreed the conductor.
But this one had a blue tie and a
derby hat Do you remember where he
got off?"
I'm not here to look after men in blue
ties" he said. GROSSLY. A crowded run is
rot conducive 10 politeness. Where do
you want to get off?"
That's just the trouble" she explained.
You see my aunt moved this mornin5'
There was a fire in the apartment house
in which they lived and they had TO
change It's uptown somewhere, but my
cousin did not have time TO tell me just
where. He had just met me at the train.
Better go over to the police station,
he counseied. Your folks will send out
a general alarm probably and then word
viii come 10 the station. Maybe there S
some one where they used 70 live that
can tell YOU"
That's So she said Frightening. It's
on Central Park West"
She named a number and the conductor
rang the bell. Take a downtown car to
/ ls5th street" he said. Transfer south on
Eighth avenue. That's in the sixties some
where"
Elsie dropped off the car with a word
/ of thanks and hailed a car coming in the
| opposite direction. Not until the conduc-
+ tor stood in front of her did she realize
that she had given Tom her hand satche
containing her poCketbOok.
This conductor was less pleasant than
/ the first one and refused to accept heI
story There was no one else in the cal
and with crimson face she allghted. Sht
did not know now far it was, but she hac
a general idea of the direction and she
started bravely out
The wind blew coIdly from the river
and she drew her coat about her as sht
plodded along Six blocks and the lamp
post told her that 125th street had beer
| reached. She paused undoubtedly then
with sudden determination she hailed {
! passer-by.
Eighth avenue?" he repeated. 'KeeI
going It's the street with the elevate,
on You can't-is this Elsie Linton?' il
broke of.
win she cried In sudden recognition
Il did not know you with that mustach'
| on. And you're older, tool
i ought 10 be" he said grimly. BE
| tween having To get out and hustle, anC
losing the girl I loved
Il suppose you have made UP boil
/ losses2' she said.
! Only the first" he corrected. 'Jv
/ lust this minute found the girl I love
But what are you doing here, alone?'
! he demanded. Been visiting, and go
] lOst2'
Rapidly she explained the situation
and his brow clouded.
The Bellevue burned last night" h
said. Pretty well Quilted. There ma!
/ be 4 caretaker who will know where you
aunt went. Let's go over and see"
/ He whisked her on board the car, an'
she settled back with a sigh of relief
/ II was so comfortable to be taken car
/ of again, and there was a new brisknes
in VIII Benton's manner that brough
| comfort.
When the Benton Milling Company ha'
failed he was an idle and none too re
sourceful fellow. Now he spoke and acte'
/ with decision. and she was sorry that sh
had said Mo- when he had put the all
/ important question TO her.
Their arrival at the transfer point in
terrupted her day dream, and as the
[