The Liberal democrat. [volume] (Liberal, Kan.) 1911-1924, 1911-11-03

Storms and the
Storm Door {.

Then he shook the door, pusheu ~
pulled it and pushed again, but to no
avail. 1t was characteristic of Storms
that he did not swear at it.
/ It 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 ne
gave an exclamation OF triumph. The
door revolved within the two seq
ments of a circle and In the compart'
ment across from Storms someone
had dropped q soft cigar case. This
had wedged the doors tight and 1t
was impossible to move the door.
The porter shouted these facts
through the glass Storms groaned.
Jessie Ostrom was leaving for three
months visit. II he got to the train,
there might be a 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 So bill against the glass, but the por'
ter shook his head
But these doors fold up" called
Storms. I've seen 1t done. They fold
fiat"
"Id have to squeeze you in" ex.
planned the porter That's the only
way they fold If you were between
the other leaves" Storms gritted
his teeth at that "if."
A newsboy outside, moved to action
by the sight of the bill, sought to push
the obstacle free with bit of stick.
The stick broke off and the door was
doubly wedged. He started to try 1t
again but a policeman interfered.
Smash the glass;" called Storms.
'Tll 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.
"Tel the man to take an ,automo-
bile and hurry" he called. Il must
get out of here I'm suffocating."
The porter nodded intelllgently. The
door was padded top, side and bot
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 VI
tally of the air The porter reached
down and ripped off the rubber from
the bottom Of the door and motloned
Storms to do the same with his side
The thin stream of cold air was de-
licious, and Storms settled himself to
wait, though over and over came the
thought that by now Jessie's train was
out Of the station and pulling across
the meadows. Perhaps she was won
dering why he had not been there
hurt perhaps, at his Indifference. To
explain would only render him ridlcu.
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 a screwdrlver, then
swung the imprlsoning leaf back
Storms stepped out and as he thrust
a bill into the w0rkman's hand he
glanced at the clock. Already it was
10 minutes past train time. There was
no hope now. He might as well go to
the Office.
He was still surrounded by a curious
crowd and he turned to make his way
down the street when newsboy
tugged at his coat.
Say, boss" he piped. 9TH dame
Iole me 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
It 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 a mystery.
Still attended by his escort. he
the street to the restaurant,
The crowd dropped off at the door
and he entered alone. His quick eye
caught sight of Jessie and Mrs. Os-
from over in a corner, and he made
his way to them.
II thought you had gone" he cried
as he greeted them.
81 found at the last moment that
there was no through sleeper On the
other line can 60 through without
change 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
hanged our minds and came over here
How did 1t happen?"
Briefly he sketched the chain OF in
,idents He told story we'll and now
hat the element Of tragedy had been
removed, he sklllfully elaborated the
humorous points.
"What were your feelfnRs?" asked,l