The Hartford republican. (Hartford, Ky.) 18??-1926, 1912-10-04

The conductor approached them, ant
when Kenneth handed him a dime, h,
promptly rang up two fares. assumin.
the pair to be companions. and bein,
in blissful ignorance of the fact tina
the girl was at that moment delvins
in her handbag for her purse.
Your paying my fare was an ac
Of objectionable presumption" said 8
cool voice at his side.
Very WELL" he replied. "Shall
call the conductor? Or do you prefer
to cancel the debt by simply handing
me five cents?"
THE latter method will serve" she
decided. and again began to search
for her purse.
Suddenly she grew red and nervous
81 cannot find my purse; it isn't In
my bag" she faltered.
I'm very sorry" he replied, solicit
ously polite.
"Oh. 1t isn't the loss that I mind {:
it was but small sum-but now
cannot cancel my obligation to you"
1T is trifing matter. Let us for.
get It," he urged.
Indeed We must not. You must let
me know where | may send the
money"
"Oh. very well. If you insist, here
is my c. I'd. 1t has my address on it,"
The car stopped at his street. and
when he left II. he was mildly sur
prised to see that she did the same.
He bought a paper. and she passed
him. When he started toward his
home. he noticed that she was just
ahead. -~--'r<s - sySai Ss5Sl
He tramped along. reading the head.
lines of his paper. and when he reach
ed his home. he was amazed to see her
standing on the front porch.
Are you following me?" she asked
iefiantly. as he assembled the steps.
"Not in the way you mean" he re-
piled with a smile.
Then why do you come here?"
do you know whose house this Isl"
he asked. answering question with
question. r'
yes"
Then will you kindly look at the
card which you SO disdainfully thrust
unread into your bag while on the
carr"
The card was quickly found. She
read 1t with gasp. You are Elsa
Craig's brother" she exclaimed, in
pretty confusion. "Oh, why didn't l
look at this card before?"
"And you are" he limited.
I'm Barbara Page, Elsa's room.
mate and chum at college.
Kenneth looked at her intently. so
you are Barbara Page" he said mus.
ingly. ELSA wrote me much about
you while l was In Brazil-but. by the
way. you weren't expected until tomor-
row. were you?"
mo; am a day ahead. My father
was travelling this way today. so
came as far as the city with him, leav.
ing my baggage to follow"
ELSA won't be home for an hour or
.wo yet" he said. opening the door.
Won't you come in?"
"Will you go to your room, or will |
'ou bear me company In the living
DOM until sister arrives?" he asked
Is they entered. "Such a pleasure
Is chatting with real. live American
'irl has been almost entirely denied
re during the last three years, and
n view of the fact that you are in
lebted to me for the sum Of"
IF you start by mentioning that.
hall assuredly go to my ROOM" she
roke in with a laugh. as she entered
be lving-room.
She sang his favorite songs to him,
nd played the compositions of his
avorite composers.
Miss Page, did Elsa ever talk to
GU about me?" he asked, after an
our and a half had slipped by and
o Elsa had appeared. 1T is a rather
TRANCE question. but I have a special
eason for asking it," "f- --
"Oh. yes" she replied. "but think
ought to go to my room now"
Please hear me first" he said.
Last summer. when you and Elsa
raduated, she wrote me that she
ould not bear separation from you,
nd that II l wished to prove myself
loving brother. l must come home
nd marry you. SO that she could have
ou for sister. IL wish to prove
yself hSving brother"
She started to fee. but found him
her path.
please let me pass" she pleaded.
Two hours ago We had never seen
lch other"
There was light step on the porch
Inside and someone entered the hall.
rs that you, Elsa?" he called.
YES. Ken" answered a voice out
ds the door.
Come In here and persuade my flu
re wife," he said, ito take me seri-
lsly as her future husband"