The Sauk Centre herald., 1909-08-19

ten" s.
MAI. Walcott," she returned, meet
ing me half way.
I'VE were talking of the third rail-"
interrupted; now, Grace"
Major" she reiterated. But I
shook my head.
'The third rail-" insisted, Grace
Van"
WELL" retorted Sylvia, in the kind
of murmur which is just unintelligi-
BILE enough to.be just ineligible, she's
just about as thin as one, anyway. If
that's what you mean"
That settled it. My attempt to force
the conversation into the broad chan.
mel of generalities was futile. l gave
II up. looked out of the window. We
were at the Ninety-sixth station.
rose.
"Oh," she exclaimed, "do you get
out here?" She knew as we'll as
that it was Grace Van Auten's sta
ton.
hastily sat down again. Mere
force OF habit" l returned, blandly.
The train pulled out. l was still
within it, still sitting in the seat that
was next to Sylvia. Suddenly Sylvia
uttered an exclamation of alarm.
l looked. Upon the platform there
stood two people. They were together.
Ihey were engrossed in conversation.
One of these was Grace Van Auten:
the other Maj Walcott.
Within our car there was a silence
too eloquent for words. Sylvia was
still gazing out of the window.
ALLOW me-" l suggested, dolefully.
to offer my sympathy to one who has
thus"
She laughed, but her laugh was
forced a bit, thought. Il was think
Ing" she answered, "of you"
"Ah," l gasped, with an attempt at
rapturous sigh, "of-me!"
And of-your plight" she went on,
coldly.
Again we relapsed into silence. The
guard broke in upon us with a shout
He was once more calling out a sta
ton. / heard it. l knew what he had
| said
What was that?" l remarked to
Sylvia; what station may this be?
didn't hear"
She had been gazing absently at the
floor. She no longer prodded it With
her Implying umbrella At my ques!
ton she turned to me, still with an abb
sent-minded expression upon her face. !
This time" she answered, why,
| this time l think its-Yes"
But that was not what the guard
had said. Far from it. He had said
"One Hundred and Thirty-seventh
street." as plainly as it is written
here
This" | told her, lis the real sub.
way language. It's strange too," I
went on, as we passed down the aisle,
| that for once both you and the guard
said just the thing you meant"
She looked at me in a dazed sort
of way.
"What-what did I say?" she STAN
mered.
/ shook my head. You have-said
it, l replied. Once more we alighted
and ascended to the ether above.
1t so happened late that afternoon
that l stood, for the first time since
last July, within the precincts of her
home.
| I'm coming in,' had told her. And
| went. Once l was there | didn't
know what to say. Generalities, per-
sonalities, ntellectualities-they all
deserted me. Finally Sylvia came to
the rescue.
That reminds me-" she ventured,
without saying what reminded her,
| that Grace Van Auten's reception is
tonight" She stopped. Then she
went on. would you like to take
me?' she inquired.
would II" exclaimed. | was only
| too delighted.
What time shall - added final
ly.
"Oh," she replied, mot in a hanson.
Let us take the-the subway. It's SO
much more fun, you know
l understood and acquiesed.
l thought for moment, and then,
| like flash. I saw my opportunity.
In that case, since it is your sug-
| gestion,' / remarked recklessly, you
must pay the fares. / shall take the
toll,'' l added. And then up and
kissed her.
! That's one" l said,-"your fare"
explained She seemed to compre-
hend at once.
"And that" / added, kissing her
again, 'is mine" We stood there for
| a little while. | was wishing that we
might pay over again.
| But, OH" she exclaimed suddenly,
how stupid! We need transfers, of
course. Don't forget that"
l forthwith paid for and had trans
fers issued. On our road-our sub
way, Sylvia's and mine-that after
noon, we issued ten transfers to each
single fare. This took some time.
That night, as we came back, Syl-
via looked at me.
How long" she inquired, have you
known that Grace Van Auten and Mai.
Walcott were engaged?"
/ grinned. "Just as long as you have
Sylvia" l replied; "for about six
II