The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1910-12-29
that's what you mean"

were at the Ninety-sixth station. !
rose.
"Oh," she exclaimed, "do you get
out here?" She knew as well as
that 1t was Grace Van Auten's sta.
ton.
hastily sat down again. Mere
force of habit" returned, blandly.
The train pulled out. l was still
within 1t, 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
They 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,
ito offer my sympathy to one who has
thus"
She laughed, but her laugh was
forced bit, 1 thought. q was think
ing" she answered, "of you--"
"Ah," I gasped, with an attempt at
a rapturous sigh, "of-me!"
And of-your plight" she went on,
coldly.
Again we relapsed into silence. The
guard broke In upon us with shout
He was once more calling out a sta
tiAn I hoard II I hot bo hnl
said.
What was that?" I remarked to
Sylvia; what station may this be? I
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 alb
sent-minded expression upon her face.
This time" she answered, why,
this time | think it's--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, us the real sub
way language. It's strange too"
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 l say" she STAN.
mered
l shsok my head. "You have-said
it." | replied. Once more we alighted
and assembled to the ether above.
1t so happened late that afternoon
that I stood, for the first time since
last July, within the precincts of her
home.
I'm coming in," had told her. And
know what to say. Generalities, per-
sonalities, intellectualities-t 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" l exclaimed. was only
too delighted.
what time shall IL" added final
ly.
"Oh," she replied, mot in a hansom
Let us take the-the subway. It's so
much more fun, you know"
l understood and acquiesed.
l thought for a moment, and then,
like a flash. saw my opportunity.
"In that case, since it is your sug-
gestion," l remarked recklessly, you
must pay the fares. I shall take the
toll" | added And then up and
kissed her.
That's one" l said,-"your fare"
l explained. She seemed to compre-
bend at once.
and that" l added, kissing her
again, as mine" We stood there for
a little while. I 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 mjne--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 Maj.
Walcott were engaged?"
| grinned. Just as long as you have
Sylvia" I replied; "for about six
months, | guess"
How many times" she persisted,
"have you been inside Grace Van Au-
tens house?"
Counting tonight" l confessed,
Just twice in the last three years.
I'm an awful bad man to call"
But look here" l suddenly de-
handed, "how often did Maj. Walcott
come to call on your"
"Maj. Walcott!" she exclaimed,
holding down her head Il never
met him before tonight" she said
When we reached her home turn
ed to Sylvia. I'm coming in"
said, Its very late, butt must come
In"
Sylvia looked up into my fate and
looked down into Sylyia's. And Syl-
via smiled.
Nothing In III