The Marion daily mirror. (Marion, Ohio) 1892-1912, 1911-08-05


ing convoy OF freaks that is native to
the east-bound overland. He had
boarded the train too late the night
before to be disillusioned. and he now
found himself face to face with the
long morning, without a prospect be-
yond the one tolerably promising
man In lower IL.
Beverly loathed being by himself.
Natural beauty thrilled him beyond
measure, so long as there was some
one to thrill with. When alone he
coldly admitted the attractions of
these things. but was bored and rest
less and irritated.
The curtains, meanwhile. were
growing more and more agltated.. A
tan shoe appeared for an instant be-
Meath wavered. drew back, then was
planted definitely in the aisle. There
was quiet interval, followed by a
more violent convulsion, then the
curtains parted, and. ike Minerva is
suing from the head of Jove a young
woman stepped forth complete
Beverly took down his feetaand
Strengthened up. Pears and diamonds
at lasti
She looked up at his movement,
caught the frightened expression in
his eyes. and smiled tentatively.
Beverly. who Lad been mentally
laying out a discreet siege of window
opeing and blir1 lowering. felt some
what taken back at this frank skip
ping Of the preiminaries. She did
not look like that kind Nevcrthc-
less, he jumped up, ready to take his
cue. She held out her hand.
II saw you get on last night at
Sacramento" she said cordially. 81
watched all the passengers from my
window, and you were the one |
picked out"
What have run up against?"
thought Beverly. trying TO shame
away a certain pleasant little warmth
Of being picked out by this attractive
young woman.
I'm glad the others didn't know
It," he said. "There would have
been a regular cake walk up and
down the platform for your approv-
al"
She smiled vaguely and looked 1T
her watch.
How about breakfast" she said.
"Have you had yours?"
Beverly had. but lied. and a few
minutes later found himself carving
domestic little boefsteak at a ta-
Bile for twn. .----.
II hate TO be alone when it's a Ia
carte" she was saying. "The pOr-
tions are too big for one-yet really
they're not quite enough FOR two. I
suppose they're gagged for n nan and
his wife But YOU aren't even eat
ing the Homes share"
He did his best, but Beverly felt
hampered. Besides. the novelty OF the
situation would have made eating un-
important in any case.
~ wish you'd tell me-" he said
presently. "what good luck led YOU
to fix on me in that dark station"
well, partly because none OF the
others would do" she said tranquil
ly. "There was one who was possi-
sible, in way, but you were really
probable. or course. | shouldn't have
spoken IL YOU hadn't looked so intel
ligent. Marguerite wrote YOU what
car | was to be in, didn't she?"
Beverly felt sudden cold con-
traction under his ribs.
Ill beg your pardon?" he said.
trying TO stave off comprehension.
"Why, telephoned her as soon as
! engaged my section, so that she
could let you know II was such a
comfort TO feel you would be here, for
my brother couldn't take me back. |
hope waiting over a day didn't put
you out"
So that was the hideous explana-
tion, and all her friendliness was on
false premises. III she knew the
truth she would grind him to powder
with look. Then prointedly forget
his existence. And it was five weary
days TO New York And he liked her.
20, not at ALL" he said 81 was
glad to-"
Dear met she went on, leaning
back TO look at the world flying past
the window, "it seems so strange to
think OF Margurite as married"
Beverly had. an alarming vision Of
coming pitfalls, and felt about for a
cautious answer
Eyes, doesn't it," he ventured
She smiled around at him.
Docs Ito you?" she said. "Well
suppose one has to pinch oneself to
realize one is married, Just as you do
to realize you're grown up"
So. then. he was a married man
the husband of Marguerite. And he
was to play the role without lines to
a cleareyed, wideawake audience who
knew exactly how the part should go.
He stared unhappily at the mex
haustible beefsteak on his plate. won
dering what escape there could be
short OF falling off the train.
marguerite told me why you
were going" she said, II think It Ia
simply lovely OF you both. OF course,
can understand that 1t is a sad err
rand for you"
81 wonder just how bereaved |
am" he thought. as he followed her
back TO their car, after sympathetic
interval OF silence.
She took from her bag several or
nate little bottles and made him
smell them in turn, then drew out
some writing materials
DO YOU keep your family on pos
tai cards while you're travelling?
do" she said "To write a letter Is
such terrible trouble on the train
II hangs over you all day like black
cloud. The prospect OF doing the
family washing couldn't be half &C
burdensome In every day life. Even
the idea of postals makes my heart
sink little when I'm travelling"
"Well, never can do anything I'M.
IIon If.s4 ~. l.ttou 1 hnuanff fIuao IN