Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1909-01-20

NueQ CnaC she muSC nave taken the
apper ferry to Twenty-third street.
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 it
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 IF you are, 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 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 off 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 second time he made for the slip,
catching the same boat that had car
Hed 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 ago?" he demanded.
Chris nodded, and the man grinned.
Il thought you was" he continued.
There was a lady down here looking
for you this hast trip. / remembered
you went right back, and sent her on
to Twenty-third street. She didn't
have the price of her fare" he added
meaningly, and again the grateful
Chris passed out 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 1 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 guess
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 1 told her you were down there
waiting. The man on one of the Cort-
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 a 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 rush for the
trains, and Chris went with the tide of
humanity until 1t separated toward the
various gates.
As he turned to search the seats a
pair of soft arms went about his neck,
and he looked down into Frances
crimson face.
IT didn't mean to do that" she cried,
but was so afraid I'd lose you again
# didn't grab right hold Of you"
II like It," declared Chris. 81 thought
I never should find you"
That's the way 1t seemed to me-"
she confessed. ~ never was so glad to
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 so 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.
I'm not going to lose you this time,"
he announced. 81 don't want ever to
lose you again, Fanny. May I keep
you-alwaysT
What he saw in her eyes caused him
10 lean over and kiss her.
Everybody kisses everybody else at
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"