Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1907-05-16

BILE, so she chung to the back of the
seat in front, as the car lurched and
creaked and started painfully on.
She glanced at him after a few mo-
ments, and could not prevent a little
thrill of delight as she noticed a worn
look about the eyes which had not
been there before-before- any
way, he was to blame and she didn't
care a bit.
queer little smile stole into his
eyes as he noted the surreptitious
glances cast at him, and he settled
back behind his paper as if no such
thing as a Girl ever crossed his mind.
At last he could stand the look of
utter WEAKNESS on her face no longer,
and rising, he touched her politely on
the arm, saying:
Il am better able to stand than you,
If you really prefer the whole seat
alone
She glanced at him with no recogni-
ton in her eyes, only the look of we'll
bred surprise he had seen there when
something had impressed her.
Indeed; no. could not think of
permitting stranger to so inconveni-
ence himself for me-
With all the ceremony possible he
presented his card, with the words ::
Permit me TO Introduce myself.
should have done so at first. | merely
made the suggestion as | observed the
people about us were beginning to no.
tice-and wonder"
Without a word she dropped into the
seat, and shrank as far as possible in
to the corner as she made the slightest
motion in the world for him to be seat
cd also. Again he smiled. That was
a lucky thought-rememberin her alb
horrence of being conspicuous.
The white world outside looked cold
and dreary as the car moved slower
and slower over the ice-covered rails
lighting its way almost ineffectiveIy
through the storm. Only another quar-
ter of mile and this strained, silent
eide would be over. she thought, just
as the lights in the car darkened and
ii came to an abrupt halt.
impossible TO go any further to-
night" shouted the conductor, as sew
oral false starts were made
Slowly the crowd made its way from
the car. vowing all sorts of vengeance
against such poorly managed line,
and apostrophizing such abominable
weather.
With a brave little sigh, she rose and
made her way to the street with the
rest. Not soul was going in her di-
cection-not person on the car with
whom she had even bowling acquaint-
ance except. Another deep sigh
and she started off Once she glanced
back to see if he had by any chance
followed, but no, there he was, talking
and laughing with the conductor! In
spite Of all she could do, a tear rolled
down her cheek. She had never felt
% forlorn in her life before: never had
ionged so for him, that is, never had
admitted it.
The wind blew the snow in her face
and she was nearly exhausted-every
step grew more difficult. The tears fell
faster now, and she dabbed at then
piteously with a snow-laden little hand
kerchef. Suddenly particularly
strong gust of wind swept by, and sh,
clutched at a fence while a mournfu
little sob s,oke from her lips just as
pair of strong arms folded her tight,
to a rough snowy coat!
"Oh, Jack,'' she cried, without ever
glancing at the face above her.
He drew her arm through his an,
led her to her door. Nothing but thos
two words had been spoken, but Their
are times when few moments Of 81