Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1911-07-13
Storms and the
Storm Door !

ness that caused him to stumble
against the glass plate before him.
Then he shook the door, pushed it,
pulled it and pushed again. but to no
avail. 1t was characteristic of Storms
that he did not swear at 1t.
1t was one Of those revolving storm
doors and in some way one of the
leaves had become wedged. He
raped on the glass to attract the at
tention of the porter standing by the
entrance. and that served to draw a
crowd which stared curiously at him
through the glass sides, much as they
would regard some interesting exhibit
| The porter hustled about import
antly, now shaking the door, now
peering through the glass. At last he
gave an exclamation of triumph The
door revolved within the two seq
ments Of circle and in the compart-
ment across from Storms someone
had dropped soft cigar case. This
had wedged the doors tight and it
was impossible to move the door.
The porter shouted these facts.
through the glass. Storms groaned.
Jessie Ostrom was leaving for three
months visit. If he got to the train,
there might be chance to say what
had been trembling on his lips that
last half year. If there was much
delay, she would be gone before he
could reach the station. He held up
a SIS bill against the glass, but the por-
| ter shook his head
But these doors fold up" called
Storms. 1--WE seen 1t done. They fold
fiat
I'D have to squeeze you in," ex-
planned the porter. That's the only
way they fold. If you were between
the other leaves" Storms grittea
his teeth at that If
A newsboy outside, moved to action
by the sight Of the bill. sought to push
the obstacle Tree with bit of stick
The stick broke off and the door was
doubly wedged. He started to try 1t
again but policeman interfered.
Smash the glass;" called Storms.
"I'll pay for it,
Won't do any good" was the dis
heartening reply. We've sent to the
makers for man. He'll be along in
a minute" Storms looked longingly
at the glass but he could see that the
chances of breaking the thick plate
without being severely cut were not
good, and he looked for the porter.
Tell the man to take an automo-
bile and hurry" he called II must
get out of here. Pm suffocating."
The porter nodded intelligently. The
Id IT. l,,&
tom with heavy rubber strips to keep
out draughts. Storms was in what
was practically an air tight chamber,
and he had already exhausted the VII
tally of the air. The porter reached,
down and ripped off the rubber from,
the bottom Of the door and motioned
Storms TO do the same with his side.
The thin stream of cold air was de-.
licious, and Storms settled himself to
walt, though over and over came the
thought that by now Jessie's train was
out of the station and pulling across
this meadows. Perhaps she was won
dering why he had not been there.
hurt, perhaps, at his Indifference To
explain would only render him ridicu-
lous.
Then there was a commotion in the
press. A man In overalls pushed his
way through the crowd. For a moment
he worked with screwdriver, then
swung the impriscnins leaf back
Storms stepped out aud as he thrust
a bill into the workman's hand he
glanced at the clock. Already 1t was
10 minutes past train time. There was
no hope now He might as well go to
the Office
He was still surrounded by curious
crowd and he turned to make his way
down the street when newsboyi
tugged at his coat.
Say, boss" he piped TIL dame,
tole mo TO give you this.
He held up grimy card and Storms
took it. Come over to the Chaplain,
for some lunch" 1t ran. You will need
1t after your Imprisonment"
He did not need to turn the card
over to learn the name, though why
Jessie should be lunching there when
she was supposed to be on her way,
was mystery.
Still attended by his escort, he
| SiOSSSO INe street 10 lU6 restaurant
The crowd dropped off at the door
and he entered alone. His quick eye
caught sight of Jessie and Mrs Os-l
from over in corner, and he made
his way to them.
Il thought you had gone" he cried
as he greeted them.
II found at the last moment that
there was no through sleeper. On the
other line ] can go through without
change. l am leaving tonight instead
We were driving back from the station,
when we say your predicament We
had intended to go to the hotel for
lunch. but when we saw the crowd We
changed our minds and came over here
How did it happen?"
Briefly he sketched the chain of in4
cidents He told story well, and nowi
that the element of tragedy had beenI
removed, he skillfully ella borated thei
humorous points.
What were your feelings?" asked