The Intermountain Catholic. (Salt Lake City [Utah] ;) 1899-1920, 1909-01-30
HIS SILENCE.

He came into the coach, bringing
with him a breath of the outside frosty
air. Putting his valise on the rack and
hanging up his coat, he sat near the
window. and with his head resting on
his hand, looked gloomily out on the
fast flying snow covered fields.
There was an expression of sorroWfuI
anxiety on his face which was hand
some to a degree He had dark. wavy
hair, and large intelligent eyes shaded
with long lashes. His features were
regular, the most prominent of which
was a square. determined jaw. At a
casual glance one would have taken
him to be a young lawyer, probably
30 years of age, or a confidential adj
wiser in some large business concern.
The click click of the wheels over the
frosty rails was the only sound heard
in the coach for some minutes There
were not many people in the day coach,
and the itinerary of the conductor or
the brakeman was infrequent. Here
and there could be heard low toned
conversations. Many passengers were
quietly reading books or papers or doz-
ing.
In the next seat behind the silent man
we're two young women. For some time
they held a whispered conversation,
heard one of them say:
''Oh, what's the use of whispering 1
don't care if he does hear me-
The other giggled and after that their
conversation was audible.
Il just love black, wavy hair, don't
you, Nell?"
"Oh! 1 thing it's just too lovely for
anything was the answer.
And such a nice, long mustache I
think If ever so much nicer for men TO
wear mustaches than to shave their
faces clean, don't you?''
yes"
And then when fellow has a mus
tache, you" and the sentence was
followed by period of giggling from
the two speakers.
81 guess he is pretty we'll off See
Nell, he has got a real sealskin on the
collar of his overcoat," continued one.
Yes, and look at that gold ring with
a real diamond in it, said the other.
The man had careleSsly thrown his
left hand along the top of the Seat,
while he continued to look out of the
window at the fleeing winter scene.
With motion of disgust he withdrew
his hand.
More suppressed giggling followed
from this action. Various other devices
were pursued by the young women,
who seemed determined to attract ths
attention of the man in front of them
and draw him into conversation: but to
all the allurenents he remained i'm
passive. The solemn look remained up
on his face, which seemed in some way |
to be reproof to the two giddy girls. |
oh! Pshaw. Why doesn't he turn |
his seat over and talk to us? That's !
the way they always do in novels"
Guess he has girl at home some |
where, ventured the other.
II pity her then, if he is not moro |
laxative to her than he is now. eughl' |
Still the traveller in the next seat did |
not take the hint, but continued to look |
Out of the window, while the marks of |
care seemed to deepen the lines on his |
face. Once or twice he moved as if in |
and the two young women |
thought they were about to be success |
'ul in their attempts TO attract atten- |
ion and be entertained. But he evi- |
iently thought better of it and re-
NAMED silent
Say, Madge," said Nellie, where is
hat box of candies? Oh! l Just love
candies. If any one comes accounting |
ne he'll just have to bring me candies |
very night or I'll send him about his |
business
More giggling followed. which was
succeeded by a short silence as the two
themselves with the confec-
ions.
Before long other remarks We're made
lpon the personal appearance of the 81
ent passenger. His teeth mouth, eyes
we're freely discussed in a loud tone.
,r at least in so loud a tone that he
lad no difficulty in hearing every sylla-
Die. He came to the conclusion that
he two young women in the seat be-
lind him were not really bad girls, but
oolish and injudjcious and shallow
'ated to such q degree that they re-
Iuired sharp lesson to make them see
he folly and impertinence of their con-
luct
Il wonder whether he really has a
said one of them.
81 pity her if he has said the other
ute rudely, being somewhat piqued at
er unsuccessful attempts to attract
ttention.
II tell you what 1 think is the mat
err said the other.
''What?"
Il guess he is married." i
"Ohl" 4