Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1908-11-04

needs a nickel real bed and tell 'em
] 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 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.
Il live on this street." he explained.
with frank smile 81 live at 237."
II live at 240," she cried, blushing to
find that she was pleased to know that
he lived nearby.
"Skerry's?" he asked. 81 say,
know the old lady. If 1 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 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 go
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 camel'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 it gets too heavy"
Stella flashed him a grateful glance
as she stopped in front of her boarding
place and watched him cross the street
TO the flathouse where he lived will
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 hall
warmed food her landlady dilated or
the good qualities of the Murrays
Mrs. Murray was member of the
same church society to which the
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,
terminus of all pleasure rides. The,
had to dance little, and Jack twic,
treated her to ice cream. AS they
stood on the steps of her boarding
place the man looked down into hel
face.
"And you'll let me call for you
again soon?" he asked. Don't wal
until the straws make too heavy 6
load"
Stella nodded an assent.
"There aren't going to be any more
straws," she declared. 81 guess thu
only straw was loneliness, and I'm no
lonely now"
"And you're not going to be if cal
help it, was the hearty reply, ant
Stella's heart beat faster as she realiz
ed that soon she would be neither lone
ly nor alone. Unlike the camefs load
her last straw had led to happiness.