The Oakley herald. [volume] (Oakley, Idaho) 1908-1961, 1911-06-23

serenity. He wasn't blase. He was
simply serene = always the same
never put out-never losing his half
smile. Once a pistol had been fired
close to his ear, but he did not jump
There had been fires in his hotel. but
he waited to arrange his necktie be-
fore descending the stairs through
the smoke.
Mr. Chester himself knew that ne
was serene. He never entered thea
ter without being prepared for the
cry of fire. and he never rode in
taxi that he wasn't prepared for
collision. He was serene when cop
took him for a burglar. and he was
serene when a burglar flashed light
into his blinking eyes at midnight
and warned him against any oratory.
He had counted on those things hap
pening and prepared himself for
them.
There was one thing, however, for
himself, and he lost his serenity
when it came. 1t happened while he
was taking a most prosaic railroad
trip.
His mother lived 30 miles from
the city, and he was going down for
a weeks stay. He knew the depot
| couldn't very we'll collapse, and the
chances of the train leaving the rails
could be figured as one in hundred
At the end OF his little journey car
rage would be in waiting, and he
could take the risk of the driver be-
ing drunk and the horses running
away.
Therefore, 1t was with his wonted
serenity that Mr.. Chester took his
seat in a chair car and opened a
magazine he had bought. In a dim
young woman occupied the chair on
his right, but he was not interested.
He had preserved his serenity when
other men raved There was a man
with red nose In the chair on his
left, but he was not disturbing ele-
ment. He was in the shirt waist
business, and he was trying to design
something new.
Mr.. Chester had become fairly in
terested in his reading when 1t oc-
CURED to him that the young lady
was unduly excited. She was open
ing and shutting her purse-search-
ing her acknowledging about on
the floor and talking to herself Had
she lost her ticket? No. The con
ductor had taken that up. One of
her rings or a coin, perhaps? No
again. She was looking out of the
window as If anxious to recognize the
landscape.
Mr.. Chester's eyes left his book and
rested on her. To his surprise, she
seemed greatly agitated. Her eyes
showed anxiety, If not fear, and her
cheeks had lost their color There
was no disturbance Of serenity, but
just mild surprise.
"Oh, sir" exclaimed the girl, whose
age was not more than 20, please
please"
What. madam? What have you
lost?"
"Why-why, don't know who
am! Please tell mel"
DO you mean that you have sud
denly lost your memory"
Yes, yes, ! do. 1t has gone from
me in the last Ave minutes! Oh
what shall l do?'
please control yourself, madam,
said Mr.. Chester. as his serenity go
a shock IF you keep quiet for fiv,
: minutes all may be well. It's cas-,
of what they call aphasia, and mem
DRY sometimes returns very quickly
But can't you tell me who | am !?
she appealed
: Not just this minute. Let's tr,
: and reason it out Have you card
In your purse?"
, "No-none"
Il should say you came to the cit
, to shop"
Il must have, as here are som
knicknacks l bought"
You we're all right when you too
the train?"
81 think SO, though 1T seems a yea
ago."
You must live down the line some
where. Can't you think of the nam
of your station? l will read from tn
time table. Here is Collins, Rosedals
: Winthrop, Gatesville. Temple. Lar
. caster
| 81 think it's Lancaster" she intel
D rupted. but | am not sure Oh,
father-if mother were herei VIII,
they'll put me in an insane asylur
If can't remember who | am, won
t they?"
No, no, no! You don't recogniz
+ any one in the carr"
g mol" with trembling lip.
!. Now, don't be frightened. Ca
you remember the depot building?"
"lts-its got the name spelled OIL
In flowers on the lawn" she answere
a after moments thought.
Good That's Lancaster for sur
h | was down there when they wer
II laying out the letters. ! get of 6
: the next station beyond"
But you won't leave me, will you