The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1908-12-31

4
a boat was about to start, and he
rushed on board, the perspiration
streaming from his face. He still car
ried Frances valise and his own heavy
suit case Frances could not leave any
| ferry house without the valise, for 1t
contained her money and her friends
address. She could not apply to the
old address to find out where her
hostess had moved, because the house
had been torn down. She must wait
for him.
He dashed through the exit and
through the waiting room. searching
both floors, but there was no trace Of
the girl He was about to go to the
| street and question the carriage agent
when the doorman, who had watched
his actions curiously, came up.
Are you the chap that lost lady"
he demanded. eff you are, 1 told her
to go back to the Jersey side and wait
for you. She followed a man she
thought was you and got on the wrong
boat"
Chris pressed a coin into the mans
hand and sprinted down the slip just
as the boat was pulling out. He bare
ly managed to leap aboard before the
gates were closed, and he stood on the
forward deck to cool off.
/ When the boat should make the Jer-
sey shore this worry would be at an
end. SO he regarded the panorama Of
river life complacently.
He was the first passenger of the
boat and out on to the concourse, but
neither on the concourse nor in the
waiting room could he find her, though
he searched both. She must have
boarded the Cortlandt street ferry, so
for a second time he made for the slip,
catching the same boat that had car
ried him across before. One Of the
deck hands regarded him curiously as
he passed.
"Ain't you the fellow what paid his
fare to me to stay on the boat couple
Of trips agoT he demanded.
| Chris nodded, and the man grinned.
Il thought you was" he continued.
There was a lady down here looking
for you this last trip. I remembered
you went right back, and sent her on
to Twentythird street. She didn't
have the price Of her fare" he added
meaningly, and again the grateful
Chris passed out a coin.
Funny you didn't see her." unused
the man as he slipped the money into
his pocket. "She was on the boat
when we landed. told her to take a
look around and then make for the
Twenty-third street slip.
II was looking in the waiting room
for her." explained Chris. II suess
it'll be all right now"
But things were far from all right
When Chris leaped from the boat at
the uptown landing. the doorman who
had spoken to him before laughed
loudly as he caught sight Of the pant
ing and perspiring traveller.
II told you to wait on the Jersey
side," he cried. "The girl came back.
and told her you were down there
waiting. The man on one Of the Oort-
landt street boats sent her up here
while I was sending you back. / told
her to sit there In the shed this time
for an hour and I'd find you some
how. Better stay on this boat. The
fares cents. You owe a ticket for
her too. She didn't have any money"
Chris passed over q dollar. Keep
the change; it's worth It," he said, and
he went back on the boat.
| Fifteen minutes later the crowd
surged off the boat In q rush for the
trains, and Chris went with the tide Of
humanity until it separated toward the
various gates.
AS he turned to search the seats q
pair of soft arms went about his neck
and he looked down into Frances
crimson face.
II didn't mean to do that" she cried
'but 1 was SO afraid I'd lose you again
If didn't grab right hold Of you"
81 like it," declared Chris. II thought
never should find YOU"
THAT'S the way 1t seemed to me, u
she confessed. II never was so glad ia
see any one in my life. A fat woman
came In between US, and when look
ed around to find you there were two
men who looked 30 like you that
wasn't certain which was really you
They were both going toward the up
town boat, and followed them"
Chris transferred the valise to the
hand that carried his suit case. and
with the other he grasped her arm.
"Tm not going to lose you this time, y
he announced. II don't want ever ia
lose you again, Fanny. May ! keep
you-a waysr'
What he saw In her eyes caused him
to lean over and kiss her.
Everybody kisses everybody else al
the railroad station" he explained as
he led the way to the boat. "And they
haven't half my excuse. I've found
you twice inside Of two hours"
The Old Time Shawl.