The bee., 1908-01-23
A Days
Outing

BY Glen Hathaway

unuttered tune as she walked down
to the village with her Cousin Marie.
"ohl" sighed she, her eyes lifted TO
the hills the. climbed TO meet the
breezy blue Of the horizon beyond the
river. Il do Wish we we're going some
where today"
I'VE are going somewhere-to the
post once. after the man, and the
drug store, after some candy and writ
ing paper" practically returned Marie.
to whom the incongruities OF certain
village stores were an unfailing source
OF Amusement.
The two girls had como to Screen.
bling kin a few weeks before from a
thriving western city, on a long
promised visit 20 a couple Of elderly
cousins. the Misses Loretta and Law
MIA vechten.
The mail was bolng distributed
when they reached the post once. Nan
waited for the home letters which
they saw tantalizingly near, yet far.
behind the glass front OF the Van
Vechten box. while Marie went on to
do. her shopping. AS she returned.
however. she met her cousin coming
in quest OF her.
Marie" she solemnly began, "let
us elope. The stage is waiting for us,
so hurry up.
Instead Of hurrying, Mrs. Powell
stood still in not unnatural surprise.
The stage? questioned she.
80
planned Nan hYou know we heard
that one takes mail and passengers
/ there from here in the morning. and
comes back in the afternoon. never
saw it till to-day. but It is standing
before the post office this moment. 1t
drove up while was there. and one OF
/ the men about asked the driver II he
/ was starting for Sharon, and he said
! he was only waiting till the mail was
} sorted for him, so came after you al
once. Do let's take passagel We
l can get dinner at the Pavilion al
/ Sharon, and come back by tea time
Think what ten-mile ride will be
such a morning as thisl"
Think also what our cousins would
say Of our going OF so without word
to them, along with a strange driver"
objected Marie. though even as she
spoke q thought of the trip came
temptingly to her in contrast to the
over-quiet morning and long, dull
dozy afternoon that would otherwise
be her portion.
Nan laughed.
The driver looks very gentlemanly
and we can send note home by some
boy TO say where we've gone. and for
the rest-can you not always chap
erone met"
This small Joke was a standing one
between the two. Nan was 20 and
tall and dignified and gravely sweet
of aspect; Marie was 10 and small and
gay and an innocently audacious flirt
Nan had gained knowledge of the
world by having had to face It alone
ever since she began teaching at II.
and Marie had gone straight from an
lndulgent fathers home to that of an
equally indulgent husband-but Maris
was married. and Nan was not, and
hence the Boston aunt whom they had
first visited had expressed her ap
proval OF their travelling alone. "be
cause Marie could always chaperone
Nan" remark which had struck
deep into their western sense OF the
absurd.
The chaperon now permitted her
self to be drawn rather briskly alcas
the street by the chaperoned.
The people waiting at the post of.ice
for their mall had departed, but We
hicle still stood before the building
stoutly built. open vehicle. with a
canopy and broad. empty. inviting
seats; a very attractive stage to thcca
used to seeing everything from new
/ four-in-hand to an old farm wagon
dubbed with that name. The driver, a
dark-haired young man in a rather
shabby flannel. suit was just gathering
up his relns to start. Nan. who was
generally spokeswoman in the two
cousins travels. hurriedly advanced
You're going to Sharon this morn
ing, and coming back before night.
aren't your" she inquired. 20 make
sure.
YES" replied the young man. po-
litely lifting his hat as he turned at
the sound of her voice and regarding
her with pair Of somewhat startled
and intensely blue eyes-true Irish
eyes OF mingled fun and FIRE.
Thea" said Nan, with graceful dig.
nifty, intensified by the knowledge that
Marie was considering the proposed
trip particularly Jolly lark" then We
will. 60 with you. How much is the
stage farer
81 believe it's a dollar, miss"
hesltated the man. You see," he be-
gan TO explain. I'm not the regular
driver. but"
"His substitute. suppose" put In
Marie, who thought II about time she
had q share OF the conversation.
"Yes'm. a substitute" agreed the
young man. as he alighted to help his
passengers in.