Waterbury evening Democrat., 1907-01-30
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CHAPTER xv. | Make an Engagement.

CHAPTER xv.
 ! Make an Engagement.
 The south bound train was now due In ten minutes. A few students had boarded the Chicago train. but a greater number still waited on the farther platform. The girl in gray was surrounded by half dozen stu dents. all talking aniLsatedly. As I walked toward them l could not jus tify my stupidity in mistaking 8 school girl of IS or 16 for grown woman; but it was the tam-o'-shanter, the short skirt, the youthful joy in the outdoor world that had disguised her as effectually as Rosalind to the eyes of Orlando. She was probably teacher-quite likely the teacher of music. argued, who had amused her self at my expense.
 It had seemed the easiest thing in the world to approach her with an apology or farewell, but those few inches added to her skirt and that pretty gray toque substituted for the itam-o-shanter set up a barrier that idid not yield at all as drew nearer. At the last moment, as I crossed the track and stepped upon the other plat form, 1t occurred to me that while might have some claim upon the at tention of Olivia Gladys Armstrong, a wayward school girl of athletic tastes, \ had none whatever upon person whom 1t was proper to address as Miss Armstrong; was, felt sure, quite capable of snubbing me if snub- ping fell in with her mood.
 She glanced toward me and bowed instantly. and her young compa uions withdrew to conservative distance. II will say this for the students at St. ;Agatha's. Annandale: Their manners are beyond criticism. and an affable discretion is one of their most &dmira- ble traits.
 T didn't know they ever grew up 70 fast-in day aud night'"
 was glad I remembered the num- ber. of beads in her chain: the item seemed at once to become important.
 "It's the air, I suppose. It's praised by excellent critics" she laughed.
 But you are going to an ampler ether, . diviner air. You have at tained the beatific state and at once take flight. If they confer perfection like an academic degree at St. Az atha's. then"
 had never felt so stupidly helpless in my life. There were a thousand things I wished to say to her; there were countless questions l wished to ask: but her calmness and poise were disconcerting. Her eyes met mine easily: their azure depths puzzled me. She was almost, but not quite, some one I had seen before. and 1t was not my woodland Olivia. Her eyes, the sofe curve of her cheek. the light in her hair-but the memory of another time, another place. another girl. lured only to baffle me.
 She laughed-a little murmuring laugh.
 "In never tell if you won't" she said.
 But don't see how that helps me with you?"
 Tt certainly does not! That is a much more serious matter. MT. Glen arm"
 And the worst of it is that haven't single thing to say for my. self. It wasn't the not knowing that was so utterly dull"
 Certainly not! It was talking that ridiculous twaddle. It was trying to nirt with a silly school girl. What will do for IS is somewhat vacuous for"
 7 She paused abruptly, colored and laughed. - T T am 27!" a
 "And I am just the usual age," she said.
 Ages don't count, but time is i'm lportant. There are many things I wish you would tell me-you who hold the key of the gate of mystery"
 Then you'll have to pick the lock-"
 She laughed lightly. The somber Sisters patrolling the platform with their charges needed us little. ! T had no idea you knew Arthur IPickering-when you were just Olivia ln the tam-o-shanter."
 Maybe you think he wouldn't have cared for my acquaintance-as Olivia in the tamo-shanter. Men are very queer!"
 But Arthur Pickering is an old &iend of mine"
 50 he told me"
 We were neighbcrs in our youth" l" T believe have heard him mention t."
 And we did our prep school to- Eether. and then parted!"
 You tell exactly the same story, so 1t must be true. He went to college and you went to Tech"
 And you knew him-7" I began. my curiosity thoroughly aroused.
 Not at college any more than I fnew you at Tech"
 "The trains coming" I said earn cstly. "and wish you would tell me when shall see you againI"
 Before we part for ever7" There was a mischievous hint of the Olivia in short skirts in her tone.
 Please don't suggest iti Our times have been strange and few. There was that first night. when you called to me from the lake"
 How impertinent, How dare you remember thaf-"