The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1911-06-19

CHAPTER
In Which Things Are Turned Upside
Down
Has the two-forty-five for Boston
gone YETI" The train announcer look
ed at me long time; then he shifted
his plug OF tobacco to the other cheek
and drawled:
"Nsouw. Reported forty minutes
late"
At this point believe swore. AT
least have no recollection OF not do
Ing SO. and l should hardly have for
gotten so eminent an act OF virtue un.
der such difficult circumstances. II
was not only that had worked myself
into q heat for nothing. But the train
could hardly fail of losing yet more
time on its way TO Boston. and my
chances OF making the steamer were
about one In three. Ny trunk would
go to Liverpool without me. prey to
the inquisitive alien; and as for me
was at the mercy OF the steamship
company. For a moment l wondered
how could possibly have doubted my
desire to go abroad that summer and
TO go on that boat though the heavens
fell. thought insanely OF automobiles
and special trains. Then came the re-
action and l settled back comfortably
hopeless into the hands OF fate. After
all did no care an improper fraction
whether | stayed or went: let the gods
decide. Only wished something
would happen. The shining rails reach
ed away TO lose themselves In haze
of heat. Somewhere a switching en-
CINE was putting like a tired dog
Knots of listless humanity stood about
under the dingy roof OF the platform;
and the wind across the harbor brought
refreshing aroma OF tidal mud and
dead clans II occurred to me that my
collar was rather sticky on the inside
| walked the platform tanning my
self with my hat. / bought cigarettes
magazines and a shine. explored the
station, scrutinizing faces and search
ing vainly for matters of interest.
exhausted my resources In filling VI
fifteen minutes, and the hand OF the
electric clock seemed as tremulous
/
jerky with haste. Nothing happened
Nothing would happen or could hap
pen anywhere. Romance was dead.
Feet scraped; bell chartered; ther
breathing flame and smoke, and witt
a shrek that would have put SAM
George to utter rout, the down express
rumbled between me and the sky, ant
ground heavily to a standstill. AnC
there, framed In the wide Pullman
window, was face that altered al
the colors OF the day, and sent m'
back among sleigh-bells and holly
Not that I had known her we'll: but thu
week OF intimate gaiety at Christ
mas house party had shown her 81
sweetly merry, so well fashioned II
heart and brain and body that th'
sight OF her renewed pleasant memor
les. like the reopening OF familiar
book. She was smiling now; not a
me. but with the same humorousl!
pensive little smile that remembered
that seemed TO come wholly from with
In and to summarize her outlook upoi
the world. Her dark brows were liftet
in cool and friendly interest as sh'
glanced over the comfortless CROWD
and although | was now somewha
more at peace with the world, and M
longer hot nor hurried. she seemed
TO me to sit there In the window
her sweltering car a thing aloof ant
apart. the embodiment OF all unrunie'
daintiness.
Her eyes found me and she nodded
smiling. | went forward eagerly
Here. at least, in q stuffy and uninter
esting world was somebody cool, some
body amusing. somebody knew.
picked up my bag and ran up the steps
OF her car. AS I came down the aisle
she half rose and stretched out a wei
coming slim hand dropped into thu
chair beside her.
well. this Is luck" l said. Blu
what are you doing here In the wori'
in July? You belong to Christma'
in a setting OF frosty white and green
You're out of season now.
She laughed. Surely l nave a.
much right In July as you have, MI
Crosby. You are only sort OF yuie
tide phantom yourself
wasn't It a jolly week. / asked.
Miss Tabor's smile answered me
Then turning half away with fac'
grown suddenly and strangely bleak
81 think II was the best Christmas o
my life," she said mechanically. An'
then with sudden return to sunshine
I"I suppose see the professor start
ing on his learned pilgrimage. Is !
Europe this summer, or the great II
braries of America"
She had twitted me before upon m!
lack OF scholarly bearing which, as
had always explained. was but masi
to unsuspected profundity.
WELT began, deliberately crop
ing for a decision among the tangled
fates of the afternoon, my doubtful
steamer and my grudging plans, "t'
tell you the truth, Miss Tabor
| She touched my arm and pointed on
OF the window. Look" she said. "yo'
haven't nearly time enough for tina
now. Do hurry-you mustn't take
chances.
The platform was slipping by fastel
and faster, and with II sobriety ant
common sense and the wisdom OF the
beaten path. On the other hand lay
the comedy Of the present and thai
fiouting OF ones own arrangements
which Is the last word OF freedom.
glanced down at her ticket. where II