Middletown transcript., 1911-05-20
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window at the racing landscape.
On a farmH he asked.
Yes.
Wade lifted his shoulder. Mrs.
Neff caught it, and the bitter
picture of the farm rose before
her.
Tell me how things are going
with you, Mr.. Wade, she said as
Quickly as she could.
Bingham Wade glanced over
his shoulder at the square, jaWed
man across the aisle whom he
had spoken to on leaving the :
seat, then leaned his head IN ana
lowered his voices
I'm not what you would call a
failure.
He rested a jeWeled finger
lightly on his knee a moment, and
then adjusted his tie. Then ne
talked about himself generally a
few minutes, with delicate hints
of clubs and motor-cars beneath
SAY Minnie, he began boldly
L.
after a time, do you remember
that dance at the Copus Club
when you rubbed Bob Bingley .
name off your program and put
mine on? Wasn'the mad, thoughs
And that time the whole crowd
went out on a hay-rack ride and
YOU lost your necklace, and you
and I walked back to find it. And !
when you found it you cried, anu {,
Won hadn't shed a tear at all
before? ,
1 was that happy, exclaimed
Mrs. Neff, her eyes lighting up
And do you remember that time
at the Street Fair we had our
picture taken standing on q
painted seashore, and you tore
them all up because you salo
your hair wasn't parted straight
Wade laughed, and danced nls
watchchain in the palm OF his
hand. Suddenly he paused and
held the motion. The square
iawed man was coming down the
aisle from the water-cooler'
After he had sat down, Wade
became himself.
Who is that manH asked Mrs
Neff under her breath. He keeps
watching me all the time
Wade studied a moment.
Just one of those brazen travel
ing men, I guess. You know
how they do.
How far up the line are you
goingH
To-to-I don't know just how
far. You see, I AMI havenT
any definite place. 1t is so lone
some in Springville that any
place is a relief.
But you must-I don't under
stand how it is.
Haltingly, Mrs. Neff told hel
story, watching him keenly tc
see if he understood and appre
ciated. When she had finished
her cheek tingled.
Does John-does he mistreat
your Wade asked in a low voice
It's not that, she complained
John is always John. He always
tries to be good to me. Why il
1t that John cannot get ahead a.
you do?
Wade studied her face mo
ment, but did not answer.
I know how it must be on
there on a farm-awful. Ant
you weren't meant for such
life. Let's go up in the dining
car and get a bite to eat.
Mrs. Neff hesitated, thel
weakly rose and followed him
With his easy, man-of- -the.worlc
manner he picked out a table anC
passed a word tothe waiter tha
made him all politeness. Mrs
Neff sat stifay back, watching
him, enchanted. The way b,
lightly touched his wrists on tn
table and held the menu-card
his nails glistening to the light
charmed her.
He named the soups. Sh
chose the last one, for she wa
surer of its pronunciation. TIL
waiter rolled up the aisle obedi
emily.
Do you know. Minnie, it seem
good to sit across the table from
you, came his soothing voice.
Mrs. Neff inclined her hea,
slightly, her cheek flushing
When she looked up, the square
3awed man was sinking into
chair two tables down; and as b
picked up the menu-card, hi
eyes swept over her in one rapi'
glance. Bingham Wade glanceC
over his shoulder, and quickl.