The Cairo bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1???-1928, 1909-10-26
A GIRL. A MAN
AND A STORM.
(By Ethlei May srorey.)

Haeuie' Consequently IL is not TO he
wondered that when at last the belat-
ed car crawled into sight the girl
waiting alone in the deserted square
wore a look Of impatinece-a look
which changed TO one of intense dis
eomfiture and annoyance when, upon
entering the car, she found every seat
occupied
"Pardons miss, you may have my
place began dapper little man, ris-
ing quickly at sight of pretty face.
She was about to accept the courtesy
thankfully when her eyes fell upon
the other occupant of the seat, then
her figure heightened preceptibly and
the naughty look on her face caused
the polite little man TO wonder In
wardly rs she replied:
Thank you, but do not trouble. /
don't mind standing in the least"
NO trouble at all. | assure you;
this is my stop" he answered. moving
to the door at the car camp 10 slow
halt
The girls cheeks redeemed and she
tapped her foot with annoyance as the
man withdrew. leaving her tired and
cold, the only vacant seat in the car
al her side, but one she would not ac-
cept under any circumstances as she
told herself spitefully. The idea of
alighting and walking presented it.
SELF, but she knew that would be i'm
possible, SO she chung to the back of
the seat in front. as the car lurched
and creaked, and started painfully on.
She glanced at him after a few mo-
ments, and could not prevent a little
thrill OF delight as she noticed a worn
look about the eyes which had not
peeh there before before--well, any
way ne was to blame and she didn't
cafe a bit. ts '@.sA
A queer little smile stole into his
eyes as he, noted the surreptitious
glances cast at him. and he settled
back behind his paper as il no such
thing as girl ever crossed mis- mind.
AT last he could stand the look of
utter WEAKNESS on her face no longer.
and rising, he touched her politely on
the arm. saying.
Il am better able to stand than you.
II you really prefer the whole seat
alone.
She glanced at him with no rccogni-
ton in hei" eyes, only the look Of we'll
bred surprise he had seen there when
something had displeased her.
Indeed. mol could not think of
permitting a stranger 10 so inconven-
ience himself for me-"
With all the ceremony possible he
presented his card, with the words:
Permit me to introduce myself. /
should have done SO at first. merely
made the suggestion as observed the
people about us were beginning to
notice and wonder"
Without word she dropped into
the seat, and shrank as far as posi-
BILE into the corner as she made the
slightest motion in the world for him
10 be seated also Again she smiled.
That was lucky thought --remem-
bering the adherence of being con-
spicuous.
The white world outside looked
cold and dreary as the car moved
slower and slower over the ice cover
ed rails, fighting It's way almost in
effectively through the storm. Only
another quarter Of a mile and this
strained, silent ride would be over.
she thought, just as the lights in the
car darkened and 1t came to an abrupt
halt.
impossible to go any further to-
night" shouted the conductor, as sew
eral false starts were made.
Slowly the crowd made its way
from the car, vowing all sorts of ven
geance against such a poorly man
aged line, and apostrophizing such
abominable weather.
With a brave little sigh. she rose
and made her way to the street with
the rest. Not soul going in her d.
rection- not person on the car with
whom she had even bowling ac-
Quantance, except Another deep
sigh, and she started OFF. Once she
glanced back to see If he had by any
chance followed, but no, there he was
talking and laughing with the con
ductor' In spite OF all she cosld do
tear rolled down her cheek. She had
never felt SO forlorn in her life be-
fore; never had so longed for him.
that Is, never had admitted it. The
wind blew the storm In her face, and
she was nearly exhausted-every step
grew more difficult. The tears fell
faster now, and she dabbed at them
piteously with a snow sodden little
handkerchief. Suddenly a particular
iy strong gust Of wind swept by, and
she ciutehed al fence while a
mournful little sob broke from her
lips Just as a pair OF strong arms
folded her tightly to a rough snowy
coat!
70, Jack she cried, without even
glancing at the face above her.
He drew her arm through his and
led her to herr door Nothing but
those two words had been spoken,
but there are times when few mo-
ments Of silence expresses more than