The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1911-06-01
Adventuresb y
the Way

| Wnen cecilia saw Iuc pdinDOO Tea
tray and stand in the window of the
little shop her whole soul yearned for
them. So she was irresistibly drawn
through the doorway and soon she had
purchased them in spite of the fact
that she would have to carry them
home herself.
| She started of with them bravely
enough, though the upper edge of the
tray in its paper wrappings reached
above her waist and she kicked the
legs of the stand at each step.
We'll, it's light. anyhow" she told
herself consolingly.
It was light. At the first street
crossing a gust Of wind caught the
tray and tapped 1t like a great wing,
| propelling Cecilia into the path of an
approaching automobile, from which
she was dragged by disappearing po-
liceman.
Cab, LADY," called cabman at the
corner as she neared him. Didn't
know they allowed moving vans on the
bullyvard," he remarked to a com.
! panion, before she was out of ear.
shot.
Disgusting creature!" muttered Co
ella, Fastening on. 81 wonder if I'd
better take the elevated over to the
station or 60 on and take bus?" she
| reflected. She regarded the steep in
cline of the elevated stairway and de-
cided on the omnibus.
I'll get In an empty one and go up
to the front corner" she planned, land
then these things won't be in the way
of other people," A small inner voice
which Cecilia quickly suppressed,
added: mot so conspicuous"
I'm so glad | bought them" she as
| sured herself defiantly.
| She found the omnibuses all partly
filled, so she stationed herself at the
edge of the sidewalk to wait for an
empty to draw up.
| Pardon me-" said a naughty voice
behind her. II wish to get into the
omnibus. You and your-ah-parcel
are blocking the way"
Cecilia stepped hastily out of the
path of portly, hobble-skirted per-
sonage and the legs of the stand be-
came entangled with the feet of a
passing pedestrian.
"Confound it," exclaimed the man,
disentangling his feet and glaring at
the cause of the accident. Wonder
she wouldn't try to carry home a
whole furniture store" he remarked
to his companion as they passed on.
| Cecilia made her way to the inner
edge of the pavement and, turning her
back to the passersby, gazed with ap-
parent absorption into the shop win
dow.
Say, amt that brown one perfectly
SWELL" cried a voice behind her.
Lets get up close to the window SOS
| can see how that lace Is put on"
Two women pressed close up to the
window, one Of them encountering the
legs Of the stand before she perceived
1t.
We'll, for goodness sake!" she ex-
claimed, stumbling. She looked from
the parcel to Cecilia and then with q
|
know about that" she said.
Il thought moving day was last
May" giggled the other.
The driving up Of an empty omnibus
| offered Cecilia an avenue of escape
and she dived across the sidewalk and
| plunged into 1t, seeking the farthest
| corner in which to stow herself and
| her bundle.
This isn't so bad, after ALL" she
thought
Hardly did the reflection pass
! through her mind before CONSERVATION
entered 1t from another quarter. ooh
here's that Mr. Selby, Mrs. Whites
| brother" she said to herself Il dc
hope he won't see me. or course, he
will, though"
We'll, Miss Thorpe this is what
call luck!" exclaimed the young man.
fitting himself into the vacant place
beside her.
why, Mr.. Selby!" cried Cecilia
Luck! I should say so. / was just
thinking that I should have to ride
OFeT W inc StdLlOH dlOne.
Lets wait until these other people
get out" suggested young Selby
We've got lots Of time for the five.
twenty"
The woman opposite rose and made
for the door.
Il beg pardon" called young Selby
after her. She's forgetting her furni.
ture," he whispered laughingly to Ce,
ella.
Cecilia put out her hand desperate.
ly. 1T isn't hers she said Its
| mine"
"Yours!" began Selby, in astonish
ment. He recovered himself quickly
We'll, 1t looks like something mighty
| inter"
yes, 1t is mine" burst out Cecilia
IT'S Japanese bamboo tea tray and
a stand. I bought them at q shop
where they don't deliver things, and
carried them over to the bus, and
every idiot on the street has had
something to say about that horrid
package. II had put the whole thing
on my head and run a hat pin through
1t everybody would have thought II
was some kind of new hat and said
1t was awfully stylish, but because |
carried 1t In my hand they laughed at
me-"
Young Selby looked at her flushed
cheeks and then at the parcel, and
| laughed long and loud.
Excuse these tears he said. Il
don't want to seem unsympathetic,
| but 1t Is quite stable load for a per-