The Greenville journal. [volume] (Greenville, Ohio) 1850-1918, 1908-07-23

needs a nickel real bed and tell 'em
l sent It,"
He sank back In his seat, rejoicing
In the fact that Stella's confusion pre-
vented her glancing across the aisle.
which enabled him to regard her stead
lily without embarrassment.
Disappointed at the turn affairs had
taken, the conductor retired TO the rear
platform to devise new names for the
inspector. and Stella looked out Of the
window with a new sense of content
ment
Nine months she had lived in the
| city, and this was the first time that
any one in the throngs Of men and
women had paused in the rush of the
wOrkaday world to be friendly. Com
ing at a time when the last straw
had nearly had the effect of breaking
her spirit, If not her back, the cour-
tesy was doubly welcome.
She turned suspicious, however,
when she rose TO leave the car and
found that her companion was follow
ing her He read her thoughts with
| quick comprehension.
II live on this street" he explained,
with a frank smile. 81 live at 23T."
"L live at 240," she cried, blushing to
find that she was pleased to know that
he lived nearby.
"Skerry's?" he asked. II say. l
know the old lady. II l come over
after dinner will you let her introduce
us and go out trolley riding? It's nice
to ride up to the bridge. There's sure
to be a breeze there"
Stella nodded. If the particular Mrs
Skerry was willing to act as sponsor
surely a trolley ride was proper. Stel.
la beamed on the young man.
my names Jack Murray" he went
on, anticipating the Introduction.
mines Stella Meade" she volun,
teered in return. "I'll be glad to 60
riding with you, Mr.. Murray I'd hate
to stay in the house. This has been
such a dreadful day. When the man
ager told me to stay and get out a
lot Of circulars it seemed like the last
straw that broke the cameI's back
Then the idea of walking home seemed
worse than that"
Last straws may break camels
backs" he said. with smile. but we
amt camels, you see. There's always
some one hanging around to lift the
load when 1t gets too heavy"
Stella flashed him a grateful glance
as she stopped in front Of her boarding
place and watched him cross the stree
to the fiathouse where he lived witt
his mother. Mrs. Skerry sitting by the
basement window in the deserted din
ing room, graciously called her to come
in.
While the tired girl ate the hal
warmed food her ,lapiAdy. dilated oil
the good qualities Of the MurrayS
Mrs. Murray was a member of tn,
same church society to which tn,
boarding mistress belonged, and tht
son she thoroughly approved Of.
Not until after II did they get bacl
from the trolley ride. for there was ;
park beside the bridge which was tn,
L
had to dance little. and Jack twic
treated her to ice cream. AS the,
stood ON the steps of her boarding
place the man looked down into he
face.
"And you'll let me call for yOl
again soon?" he asked. Don't wal
until the straws make too heavy
load"
Stella nodded an assent.
There aren't going to be any NOR
straws," she declared 81 guess tn
only straw was loneliness, and I'm nc
lonely now"
"And you're not going to be If l ca
help It," was the hearty reply. an
StelIa's heart beat faster as she reali1
ed that soon she would be neither lone
ly nor alone. Unlike the camel's lOa(
her last straw had led to happiness.