The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1908-07-03
Railroad
Courtship.
nx L IunI<uM LEE.
Bx J. LUDLUM LEE.
Copyrighted, 1908, by Associated
Literary Press.

!
Alice Twitchell stood in the con
course of the Grand Central station be-
moaning her fate. She had just missed
tbe 3:45 for Greenwich. Something (ol
was it some oneD struck her violently
in the back, and she swung round just
"a a young man dashed by to the
closed gate. She was adjusting shak-
en- puff when the youth returned full
of apologies.
81 beg your pardon, but did want
n catch that 3.45 train the worst
way" he said as he mopped his brow.
$50 did l." replied Alice with en-
phasis, "but I did not think it neces-
sary to employ personal violence as a
means of catching it,"
Alice turned from the apologize man,
who stood regarding her with open
admiration. The latter or something
magnetic in his personality, added to
the thought of the two hours she had
to wait before the next train left for
Greenwich, made her hesitate.
"You deserve some form of punish
ment suited to your offense," she said,
with charming assumed severity.
"Oh. 1 say" continued the man,
sTm no professional slugger, you
know, just a plain, everyday lawyer
running out Of town for a holiday"
and he produced his card in vertical
ton of the statement. "And maybe
You'll be easier when I tell you that
there was girl on that train I've been
trying to meet for two years"
Alice read the name on the card,
"Mr. Walter Witherspoon." Then she
smiled. He followed her into the wait
ing room, and they sat down on the
uncomfortable benches. Conversation
of an impersonal but interesting ma
ture made the wait remarkably short
Once settled in comfortable Pullman
chairs they were like old travelling
companions.
"You see," Mr.. WitherspOon was ex-
planning, "this girl missed on the
other train is peach-the prettiest
girl ever-except you"
Don't you think we might have a
window open, Mr.. Witherspoon"
Alice interrupted. Witherspoon opened
the window and turned the CONVERSE
ton into less personal channel.
"Where do you visit in Greenwich"
"Oh, me-that is, lob, am going
to visit my grandmother" answered
Alice, with hating speech.
81 bet she's dear old lady," assured
Witherspoon. "Now, this other girl
that I was going to meet-she had no
relatives"
Alice offered no Interruptions this
time, and he ratified on.
"She's an orphan, no brothers, SIS
ters, mother or grandmother-nobody
but herself. The Hardys are giving
a celebration Of their wedding ami
versary, and they asked Miss Twitch-
ell and me. And, well, you know that
all happy brides are matchmakers!
But I'm jolly glad I missed her,
Cause
"The next station Is ours, think. "
suggested Alice.
"By Jove, 80 It is," agreed Wither-
spoon. Glow time does fly in good
company! Say, there's chap. Billy
Brewster. who's going to be there, and
he gets all the girls under the spell
Of his fascination. I thought II could
just head him of with this other girl
but now @
Greenwich shrieked the conductor.
It was quite dark when the two
left the train, and Witherspoon babe
reluctant adieus to his companion.
He offered to find her carriage, but
she declined this assistance. Then he
asked If he might know her name.
Smith," said Alice, 'just Smith,
the old fashioned spelling, you know
and she was lost in the darkness and
the crowd.
Billy Brewster met Witherspoon
with the trap, but seemed surprised
to find him alone.
where's Miss Twitchell, old chap?
She didn't come up on the other train, y
said Brewster as they climbed in the
trap.
Hanged if I know, Bill" assured
Witherspoon. "And, for that matter,
don't care. I met the most beautiful
girl on the train, and Pm all in. If it
takes me a lifetime I'll find her again
and marry her."
you ought to have lived in the
twelfth century, Walter. They carried
off the women by force in those days, y
encouraged Billy.
Once inside the Hardy country home
the men were called to account. Where
was Miss Twitchell? Mrs. Hardy ex-
pressed so much solicitude that Billy
Brewster offered to go back and look
Tor her guest once more.
Witherspoon turned to go to his room
and change his clothes for the even
ing when the bell rang and Mrs. Har-
dy opened the door to admit the lost
guest. Witherspoon caught her voice
and stood glued to the stairs.
oh, Pm here all right" she said
gayly. Game up in station trap. l
missed the 3:45 and had to wait for
the 5:45. Now, do let me run up to
my room and get into comfy light
ifock, and then I'll tell you all about
it."
half an hour later Witherspoon re-
turned to the drawing room. His col
lar seemed bit too small, for he kept
pulling at 1t. Why did his vest keep
iiulng up? He pulled 1t down once,
,"lce and then again. Perhaps he was
nervous. He stood by an open win
uoW smoking cigarette, trying to look