Waterbury evening Democrat., 1907-01-29
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of the station, having been switched into a siding of the east and west road. Pickering was certainly get ting on. There Is something wholly regal in private Car. Any one may boast a catboat and call it yacht; but there is no known substitution for a private car AS lounged across the platform with Stoddard, Pickering came out into the vestibule of his car, followed by two ladies and an elderly gentleman. They all descended and began a promenade on the plank walk.
 Pickering saw me an instant later and hurried up with outstretched hand
 This is indeed good fortune! We dropped off here last night rather un- expectedly to rest hot box and should have been picked up by the early express for Chicago; but there was a miscarriage of orders some where and we now have to wait for the nine o'clock, and it's late. If I'd known how much behind 1t was I should have run out to see you. How are things going?"
 "As smooth as a whistle! It really isn't so bad when you face 1t. And the fact is I'm actually at work"
 That's splendid. The year will go fast enough, never fear. suppose you pine for little human society now and then. A man can never strike the right medium in such things. In New York we are all rushed to death. sometimes feel that I'd like little rustication myself. I get nervous, and working for corporations is wearing. The old gentleman there IS Taylor. president of the Mid-Western and Southern. The ladies are his wife and a friend of hers. I'd like to introduce you" He ran his eyes over my cordu- roys and leggings in amiable accept ance of my rusticity. He had not in years addressed me so pleasantly.
 Stoddard had left me to go to the other end of the platform to speak to some of the students. followed Pick erlng rather reluctantly to where the companions of his travels were pacing to aud fro in the crisp morning air.
 AS soon as Pickering had got me we'll under way in conversation with Taylor. he excused himself hurriedly
 ~' of as assumed, to be sure the station agent had received orders for attaching the private car to the Chicago express. Taylor proved to be a supercillous person.-I believe they call him Chilly Billy at the Metropoli- tan club,-and our efforts to converse were pathetically unfruitful. The two ladies stood by. making no conceal ment of their impatience. Their eyes were upon the girls from St Agatha's on the other platform. whom they could see beyond me. had jumped the conversation from Indiana farm values to the recent disorders in Bull garia. which interested me more. when Mrs. Taylor. ignoring me. spoke ab- ruptly to her sister.
 That's she-the one in the gray coat. talking to the clergyman. She came momentSgo in the carriage"
 The one with the umbrella? l thought you said"
 Mrs. Taylor glanced at her sister warningly, and they both looked at me. Then they detached themselves and moved away. There was some one on the farther platform whom they wished to see. and Taylor. not under standing their maneuver-he was real ly anxious. think. not to be left alone with me-started down the platform after them. I following. Mrs. Taylor and her sister walked to the end of the platform and looked across. a bis cult toss away, to where Stoddard stood talking to the girl had already heard described as wearing a gray coat and carrying an umbrella.
 The girl in gray crossed the track quickly and addressed the two women cordially. Taylor's back was to her and he was growing eloquent in mild ! well-bred way over the dullness of our statesmen in not seeing the advan- tages that would accrue to the United States in fostering our shipping indus try. His wife, her sister and the girl in gray were so near that could hear plainly what they were saying. They were referring apparently to the girls refusal of an invitation to accompany | them to California.
 So you can't go-it's too bad! We had hoped that when you really saw us on the way you would relent," said Mrs. Taylor.
 But there are many reasons; and above all Sister Theresa needs me" It was the yoice of Olivia, a little lower. a little more restrained than had known it; but undeniably 1t was she.
 But think of the rose gardens that are waiting for us out therel" said the | other lady. They were showing her the deference that elderly women al- ways have for pretty girls.
 Alas. and again alas," exclaimed Olivia. Please don't make it harder for me than necessary. But gave my promise a year ago to spend these holidays in Cincinnati"
 She ignored me wholly and after shaking hands with the ladies returned to the other platform wondered whether she was overlooking Taylor on purpose to cut me.
 Taylor was still at his lecture on the needs of our American merchant ma-