The Montgomery advertiser., 1907-01-14
A pERlpATHETIc wooING.
nv Rita KeIIey.

(Copyright, 1907, by Homer Sprague)
 Eloise was having. thoughts. That they were not pleasant thoughts was proved by the hurry with which she walking hat and slipped out of the house. She hurried down brilliantly lighted Broadway hoping that the. new experience of being aloAe, un- chaperoned, 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 shouting. "All aboard for Chinatown. Right this way. Tickets two dollars. All aboard for Chinatown" She looked up at the huge. ugly "Rubberneck Wagon" now fairly transformed into a bower of beauty by red, white and blue electric lights and Chinese lanterns bobbing in the chill breeze It seemed to ofser surcease from the insistent. uncomfortable thoughts at the back If her brain. The old wagon in its brave array held some of the allurements of fairyland, and its happy rresponsibility-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 to insinuate that she could not get along without him. He had acted as If he were as much part of her life as her daily ride in the Park, her nights at the opera, her cotilIon favors. Worse still there had been, too, the suggestion that he was so much part of her existence that she could not get along without him. Other girls were wooed and hard won She was taken for granted. And she wanted romance, "heart interest sh1 had heard 1t called when the drama was under consideration. And her life had the conventional been wrap ped around her like a dun-colored cloak. She would have freedom from lconventionality-and George, A thrill of anticipation ran through her as the big clumsy vehicle wheel ed cautiously and threaded its way down the crowded streets. Through the Tenderloin, the Ghetto, the Bow ery--all those localities of which she had heard but never seen--it went. When 1t halted at last she was in the front of the party. still deTerminedly eager to get outside of herself. The conductor had taken ner under his wing and she felt very safe and sure. They had climbed up and up and itp many winding, creaking. unsafe stairs to the Joss houSe--a heathenish, gar ish place filled with mixture of rare carvings. embroideries, worries and apparently worthless junk. The con- ductor of the party waited to give his explanation until the lojterers had gone.
 Ladies and gentlemen" he said, wait a few minutes and I win ex- plain this interesting place. There are some people present who did not come with the party and who arg waiting in the hope that they will get the benefit of what I am about to tell you"
 A little woman in blue tailored suit edged her way with asperity into the crowd.
 "Do you mean me-" she demanded. here as anyone. And we'll stay here till we are ready to go."
 The conductor turned to Eloise for approbation. each paid two dollars for this valua- ble information and 1t Is not fair to i them to allow you to near this for nothing. know your kin1. You have
 been following us around just to get this information free. Not ( night passes but have trouble Of this kind and it's got to stop"
 The little woman fought of her friends who strove to lead her away.
 And who are you that you should | talk to me that way7" she cried. Do |
 arrested for insulting lady, My brother Is down now looking for policeman. Do you hear?" FLe shrtek-
 ed. maddened by her inability to im- press the cool conductor.
 There was a commotion in the door
 way and two men pushed through ani
 thrust their fists under the conduc- tors nose.
 'Tn report you!" they yelled. flor insulting a lady"
 Eloise turned sick She pushed out
 of the excited crowd, past the two
 emaciated. imperturbable old Chlnamer behind their little trinket counter and
 fled to the balcony overlooking the main street of the Chinese quarter.
 It was horrible low. She shudder-
 ed at the thought of where she was and under what protection as she gaz ed down from the lantern-hung bal
 cony into the street crowded with Chi : nese in native dress-thair pig faces
 eng cues and long-nailed fingers hold