The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1907-01-13
"A PERIPATETIC WOOING
BY RITA KELLEY.

| Eloise was having thoughts. That they
were not pleasant thoughts was proved
4 by the hurry with which she donned her
/ tan ulster and brown walking hat
and slipped out Of the house. She hur-
/ ried down brilliantly lighted Broadway.
| hoping that the new experience Of being
alone, unchaperoned. unprotected, amid
/ the rush of life on all sides. might divert
her mind She was halted at last by
man with a megaphone. He was shout
1 ing "All aboard for Chinatown. Right
this way. Tickets two dollars. All aboard
for Chinatown"
| She looked up at the huge, ugly Rub
berneck Wagon now fairly transformed
/ into a bower OF beauty by red. white. and
| blue electric lights and Chinese Ian
terms bobbing In the chill breeze. Il
seemed to offer surcease from the in
sistent, uncomfortable thoughts at the
back Of her brain. The old agon IN its
brave array held some OF the allurements
Of fairyland and its happy irresponsi-
biiity-and on the spur OF the moment
she whipped out her purse from her ulster
pocket, bought her ticket and climbed in
among the lanterns well toward the front.
George had dared 20 insinuate that she
could not get along without him. He had
acted as II he were as much "a part OF her
life as her daily ride In the park, her
nights at the opera. her cotiilion faYors
Worse still. there had been, too. the sug-
gestion that he was 50 much part OF
her existence that she could not get
alCng without him. other girls were
wooed and hard won. She was taken for
granted. And she wanted romance. heart
interest" she had heard 1t called when
the drama was under consideration. All
her life had the conventional been wrap
ped around her ike a dun-colored cloak
She would have freedom from conven-
tionality-and George.
A thrill Of anticipation ran through
her as the big clumsy vehicle wheeled
cautiously and threaded its way down
the crowded streets. Through the Ten
derlo!n. the Ghetto. the Bowery-an those
localities OF which she had heard but
never secn-it went When 1t halted al
last she was In the front OF the party,
stIl determinedly eager 20 get outside
Of herself The conductor had taken her
under has wing and she felt very safe
and sure.
They had climbed up and up and up
many winding, creaking. unsafe stairs 10
the Joss house-a heathenish garish
place filled with a mixture Of rare cary
ings, embroideries. worries. and apparently
worthless junR. The conductor OF the
party waited 90 give his explanation until
the l0iterers had gone.
Ladies and gentlemen" he said, wait
few minutes and I will explain this In
teresting place. There are some people
present who did not come with the party.
and who are waiting in the hope that
they viii get the benefit Of what I am
about 10 tell you
little woman in a blue tailored suit
edged her way with asperity into the
crowd
do you mean me?' she demanded. Il
guess We have as good right to be
here as any one. And well stay mere till
We are ready 10 go"
The conductor turned TO Eloise for sp-
probation.
"The members % this party have each
paid s. for This valuable Information. and
70 IS not fair 20 them 20 allow YOU 90
hear this for nothing. I know your kind
You have been following us around jus,
to get this information free Not night
passes bat I have trouble Of this kind,
and It's got 10 stop
The Iittle woman fought OF her friends
who strove 10 lead her away.
q NH. F-4 11... 20 ~
to me that way?" she cried. DO you
know who I amz III have you arrested
for insulting a lady Ny brother is down
now looking for a policeman Do you
hear?" she shrieked, maddened By her
inability TO impress the cool conductor.
There was connection IN the door
way and two men pushed through and
thrust their fists under the conductor
nose.
I'm report YOU" they yelled. for in
sulting a lady"
Eloise turned sick She pushed out Of
the excited crowd past the two enact
atcd. imperturbable old Cinnamon behind
their little trinket counter, and fed 10
the balcony overlooking the main street
OF the Chinese quarter.
Il was horrible now. She shuddered at
the thought of where she was and under
what protection as she gazed down from
the lanterR-hung balcony into the street
crowded with Chinese In native dress
their pig faces. long cues. and long-nailed
fingers holding paper bags filled with
vegetables.
"Elolse."
She jumped at the sound OF her name
and a mans step on the balcony. and
pressed back against the wall OF the
house staring with wild eyes at the man
before her
What are you doing here?" he de-