The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1908-07-30

she ercncd her purse A. shc rlaa,s,l
into The change compartment shg gave
cry OF dismeg The pocscslselh.
never well hlled, even oN pay days,
was hare ~ colR,
feverishly she tumblcd IS contents
into her lap replacing the articles
after shaking them out one by one.
but the ~ cents which had been there
when she returnei from lunch had dis.
appeared.
THAT blufr don't gor The conduct.
or's voice was hard and unfrlondly,
He had had n row with the inspector
on The last trip. aud his IN humor had
not yet subsidized
"fou'll have 90 pay or set on. hc
added as Stella looked M with the
tears trembling on The heavy fringe Of
iashes. I'VE don't have TO take tears
Tor tickets, Got the coinf''
Not daring 10 trust her voice, Stella
shook her head and thought OF the
fhree mile walk ahead OF her. The
other last straws became insignificant
In the face OF the new trouble.
The conductor reached up 10 pun
the rope, but across the aisle man
rose aud checked him.
'Don't get on, misa"
Stella looked up into the friendly
face and smiled her thanks through
her tears.
"I'ye got the change handy"
'You must let me send you the
money" she said II am very greatly
obliged to you'
II forget whore live" was the un.
blushing statement Just you forget
II. too. until you see some one that
needs nickel real bed and tell 'en
sent H."
He sank back IN his seat, rejoicing
In the fact that Stella's confusion pre-.
vented her glancing across the aisle,
which enabled him 10 regard her stead
lily without embarrassment
Disappointed al the turn affairs Ind
taken, The conductor retired 10 the rear
platform 10 devise new names for the
inspector, and Stella looked out OF the
window with 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 aud
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, II 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. II live at 237'
81 live at 240,' she cried, blushing TO
find that she was pleased TO know that
he lived nearby.
"Skerry'si' he asked. II say,
know the old lady. II ! come over
after dinner viii you let her introduce
us aud 90 out trolley riding? It's nice
to ride up to the bridge. There's sure
TO be breeze there"
Stella nodded. If the particular Mrs.
Skerry was willing to act as sponsor,
surely trolley ride was proper. Stel.
In 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 10 20
riding with you, Mr.. Murray. I'd hate
10 stay In the house. This has been
such dreadful day When the man |
lger told me TO stay and get ont n I
ot 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'
,acks," he said. with a smile, but we
lint cames, you see. There's always
,ome one hanging around TO lift the
oad when II gets too heavy
Stella flashed him grateful glance
IS she stopped In front Of her boarding
lace and watched him cross the street
o the nathouse where he lived with ,
lis mother. Mrs. Skerry, sitting by the
,asement window In the deserted din. |
ng room, graciously called her TO come ,
u.
While the tired girl ate the half (
warmed food her landlady dilated on /
he good qualities OF the Murrays [
irs Murray was member Of the |
anne church society TO which the !
mistress belonged, and the
Oh she thoroughly approved OF. {
Not until after II did they get back
rom the trolley ride, for there was a [
ark beside the bridge which was the !
arminus Of all pleasure rides. They
ad TO dance a little, and Jack twice {
reated her 10 ice cream. AS they 9
TODD on the steps OF her boarding
lace the man looked down into her '
ace /,
"And you'll let me call for you I
gain soon" he asked. Don't wait I
nth the straws make too heavy !
,ad." /
Stella nodded an assent .
"There aren't going to be any more q
raws." she declared II guess the Il
lly straw was loneliness, aud I'm not G
nely now" u
And you're not going 10 be II ! cau g
elp IT, was the hearty reply. and
Iella's heart beat faster as she reallz- h
| that soon she would be neither lone. b
nor alone Unlike the camel's load. q
r last straw had led 10 happiness z
Il