Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1908-08-06
IN AN OMNIBUS.
By Alice and Claude .4sken.

In that sort OF thing: you wouldn't ex-
Dect IL from a matter-of-fact old city
man like me. would you? I've had to
look on the practical side of things
ever since I was a boy.
All the same, did have a rather
curious experience the other evening.
II was only a trifling affair. and |
dare say there Is nothing in IL, really.
but I've tried TO apply the ordinary
rules of experience 10 it-tried to
work IL out by the rule OF three, as IL
were; but somehow there's always
hitch that can't quite level W.
Here's the story for what it's
worth: had had a busy day at the
ONCE. and was tired out when | took
my usual bus home-Hammersm
you know; and | had walked as far
as Charing Cross by way Of exercise
and TO clear my brain Of stuffy fig
ures. II had just begun TO drizzle.
and I was lucky to get place in the
bus-just about the centre OF the left
side II was. up against the metal bar
that divides the long seat into halves.
There was only just room for me,
for my two fellow passengers on the
right were bulky individuals. so was
wedged up pretty tight against the
bar. It's lucky that I'm not a big
man myself or I don't know what we
should have done. AS IL was. in set
Ting down. my arm came rather
sharply into contact with the shoulder
OF a girl who was placed TO my left
Just the other side OF the bar, you
understand. She gave a little cry and
started. Just as II she had been
aroused from a nap. and didn't quite
know where she was
OF course. apologized. and then
forgot all about the matter. didn't
even look at the girl. didn't realize IL
she were smart or shabby. fair or
dark. It's very rare for me TO take
interest In folk I meet in omnibuses.
tried to read an evening paper. but
the light was so bad II couldn't be
done. Long experience has taught
me the futility OF such an attempt. yet
I'm always doing tout of sheer per-
versity, I suppose.
Well I had to shut up my paper
and amuse myself as best could
with my own thoughts. II was then
that cast casual glance at my
youthful neighbor. and can't tell
you why, for. as have said. il is
quite at variance with my usual hab-
its began to speculate as to her
position and occupation; a silly thing
TO do. for she was just like thousands
OF others with no special points about
her.
She was quite young-ninteen or
twenty. perhaps-nueither pretty nor
ugly. and of nondescript coloring. Her
hair was fluffed out on either side OF
her ears. and she wore a round cap
OF some cheap fur. II was quite I'M
pretentious, but somehow q suited
her. Her features were rather thin.
and she had no complexion to speak
Of: one could easily guess that she
was out In all sorts of weather. or
subjected to an unwholesome atmos-
phere Of some kind. Her under lip
Snapped a little-you know how cold
IL was about a fortnight ago?-and
there was a little drop OF blood Just
about the centre, where her teeth
may have closed on the lip IL she
had been out OF temper: or. of course
II may merely have been the result
Of the weather. Anyway. that drop
of blood fascinated me- and I think il
was because OF 1t that | took such
special notice OF an everyday sort of
girl. There were a couple OF curious
black spots on her cheek and chin as
we'll couldn't make out IL they
were moles or IL she had been spat-
tered by the mud of the street. the
state of her dress-a frayed serge
rather indicated the latter, poor child
think her eyes were gray. but she
kept them half closed. leaning back in
her seat. inclined a little to my side,
, as IL she were tired out and wanted
to sleep. She mad nice long lashes. I
remember.
Oh. no; wasn't In the least bit
fascinated. or any rot of that sort
I'm not the kind OF man who is al
ways on the lookout for chance &C.
Quaintances-that game Is played
out. as far as | am concerned. Bat |
had 10 think OF something. and the
girl by my side was more interesting
than any Of the other stodgy folk who
had got into the 'bus-a job lot. II
ever there was one. There was a
woman sitting opposite me-a young
woman. with a baby on her knees
who's expression was as inane and
vacnOus as that OF the baby itself.
i Everybody was wet and uncomforta-
BILE. and we all hated each other with
cordial hatred.
Well. the bus rumbled on. and no
body seemed inclined TO move We
were all bound for Hammersmith. |
| leaned back in my seat as well as |
could. to make more room for my
| stout neighbor. who kept wedging me
closer against the rail: the girl was
leaning back. too. and my arm-I
couldn't help Impressed against hers.
, had my hand upon the rail. you see:
she had both OF hers clasped upon her
lap. She wore no gloves. and she had
a cheap ring on one of her fingers
an engagement ring. I suppose it was
meant TO be. Nobody spoke, and by
| degrees began 10 feel sleepy-forgot
| all about the bus, even about the lit.
tie lady by my side. and allowed my
mind to be a perfect blank l have
rather a habit OF doing that after a
heavy day. and l give you my word
it's most restful to the brain