The Washington herald., 1907-07-08
ON THE FLORIDA SPECIAL
By PHILIP KEAN.

Miss Carstairs was not so old or 50
sophisticated that she was dead 20 the
delights Of having three punches Of vio-
lets. two boxes Of candy, and bundle
of magazines piled up on the seat next
to her. Seemingly unconscious Of the
glanCes that had followed her as she
came In, she nevertheless seated herself
in the chair with the feeling that she
was a person Of Importance, and one
whose popularity was evidenced by the
number and value OF her going-away
Sits.
As II the gods had not been good
enough. however, just as the train pulled
out. and Richard Marston held her hand
in a last farewell. the porter staggered
in bearing a huge hamper. fruit-flleI
and fower-decorated, such a hamper as
one sees only in the tropical paradise Of
miIlionaires.
Marston eyed It jealousy.
such a display Of money" he critl-
cised.
It's beautiful" Miss Carstairs assured
him.
"Oh, well, my violets won't have a
chance now but it was a question, rath-
er than an assertion, and Miss Carstalrs
said: How do you know and that was
encoura cement. or would have been from
anybody but Miss Carstairs
I've half mind 90 go on with you 20
Daytona." Marion hesItated, and Miss
Carstairs said: "Oh, do and that set
tied It, Marston went to find the con-
ductor and get a chair, and as there
wasn't any but the one next to Helen the
porter lifted the two punches Of violets
and the two boxes Of candy and the
hamper OF fruit and the bundle Of maya
zines and carried them to the end Of the
car and piled them where the passengers
eyed them and then screwed their necks
to get a better view of Miss Carstairs,
all Of which that young lady enjoyed as
much as she enjoyed the distinction of
having Richard Marston for a travelling
companion.
Think Of my hobnobbing with a celeb
rity," she said.
"Of the making Of books there IS no
end" Marston quoted, sententiously
Think rather Of my travelling with a
beauty"
"And both Of US as poor as poor"
Helen sighed.
Marston looked at her. 4 wonder why
you say that?" he asked. What differ
ence does it make"
Helen stared at him. 7 thought
she gasped.
That I wanted 70 marry you" he fin
ished for her But I don't" and he
settled back in his chair and looked out
toward the line Of the tropical shore,
where a few cocOanut palms were sill
hOutted against a purple sea.
oh" Helen's sense Of Importance had
departed Suddenly she felt immeasuTa-
bly Insignificant, but this feeling was
succeeded by one Of intense indignation
"Of all things she calculated
Well I know it's unusual for a man
to withdraw a proposition of that kind in
ten minutes. and I know said some
pretty insistent things just before the
train left. but I've changed my mind
It's usually a woman's prerogative." was
his easy way of getting out of it. but
this time it's a mans. and I've changed
my mind"
For the first time IN her life Miss Car
stairs could not meet the situation She
simply sat there with her cheeks burning
and hated him.
Curiosity getting the better Of her, how
ever, she asked:
But. Why"
That thing" Marston said succinctly.
and nodded toward the hamper, TO think
YOU could take a thing like that from
Deering."
Miss Carstairs felt better She could
meet jealousy
But I couldn't help it, could I?' was
her innocent query. Il couldn't tell the
porter to drop the basket on the plat
form"
But I was so sure you had turned him
down." Marston complained. Positively.
you knOw-over at the Breakers last
night. after the dance"
Il tried to"
"And couldn't?"
She nodded.
TOO many inducements? Country
house, town house. trips to Europe. dia-
monds-oh. Lord" Marston groaned as he
finished the catalogue.
No" she turned from him to a con-
temptation Of the scenery, and for a time
they rcde in silence, passing beyond the
long line of palms to the orange groves
brilliant stretches Of yellow and green
that filed the ear with the fragrance of
wedding bouquets.
Suddenly Marston flung out. What
was 1t that kept you from turning him
down positively. Helen?'
She leaned forward and smoke with cor
viCtiOn.
Il might dc worse than marry Deering," f"
a pork paCker?''
It's better to marry a pork packer
than to have nothing to pack" she IN
formed him.
Marston fixed her with a stern eye
Il tell you right now, Helen" he said.
that l won't run this race IN competi-
tion with Deering I don't trot in the
same class. You can give him up or
give me up
Helen reached over and touched the