The citizen. (Honesdale, Pa.) 1908-1914, 1912-08-30

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guardian, ana knew she was telling
Of the offer and asking II she might
take the gift. The lady did not look
around, but the child came back to me
and took the pear | had gained moth
ing, the lady having, perhaps purpose
ly, avoided any knowledge Of the per
son to whom the child was indebted.
During the journey laid every con
ceivable plan for making the lady's
acquaintance and carried out many of
them. She blocked every advance
made, not pointedly, but 80 adroitly
that l had no reason to think she was
doing so Intentionally. When we
reached San Francisco l was obliged
to part with her without having had
word with her. She went off into the
great world, leaving me entirely ignor-
ant of where l might find her and with
the probability that l would never
meet her again.
tried to forget the words and the
kiss, but In spite of my efforts to drive
both out of my head they remained
there to tantalize me- 1t had never
occurred to me how delicious it would
be II some lovely woman should bend
down over me and bid me good night,
darling" sealing the words with a kiss.
| had been unconscious Of what had
failed to enjoy. l had supposed bach
elor life to be the contented state for
a man to live in-no cares, no curtain
lectures, no obligation to take a woman
out to theaters, operas, social func-
lions. And now, without being even
engaged, had been introduced to
momentary bliss such as Is a married
mans continuous possession.
Several years passed during which
influenced by this incident, l tried to
settle my mind upon some young wo-
man that she might repeat my expert.
ence in the sleeping car. But If there
Is one thing beyond our control 1t IL
love. 1 met excellent young women,
many Of whom would have honored
me by marrying me, but did not want
any of them.
One summer l was at a hotel in the
country, crowded with guests. 1t
was evening, and l stood at the foot of
a stairway, about to part with little
niece Of mine who was going upstairs
to bed.
Good night, darling" 1 said as 1
bent down and kissed her. A lady
standing with her back to me turned
and faced me. Her eyes and mine
met. She flushed scarlet. She was the
lady who had kissed me.
The blush gave me information that
| was very glad to receive. 1t told
me that the lady had known while on
the journey that l was the man she
had kissed. 1t told me that she had
remembered me. While we stood gaz-
ing ut each other l was not troubling
myself what to do in the matter. I
simply smiled. Something like a smile
came to her lips.
Your face is familiar to me-" said.
81 think we have met before"
You must be mistaken. l have no
rec"-
Evidently the lie was too much for
her. She stopped short
"NIy memory is better than yours"
l said. we We're on the same train
travelling to San Francisco. a little
girl was with you about the same age
as the child l have just hidden good
night. | succeeded in scraping an ac-
quantance with her, but failed in at
tempting to do the same with you. |
esteem myself fortunate in meeting
you again and trust you may not take
flight before l find some mutual friend
to introduce me-"
1T isn't necessary. 1 know a gentle
man when l see one"
This was very nice of her, but would
seem to be not consistent with efforts
to avoid me while on the train with
her. However 1 had no mind to find
fault with my good fortune and with
the remark that l should do myself the
honor and the pleasure to see her
again, not wishing to risk anything by
haste, bowed politely and passed on.
But my heart was light. l had found
her who had been in my thoughts for
several years. was in the same hotel
with her, and vowed that she should
not again escape me. But l did not
propose to risk anything by putting off
getting better hold of the situation.
l found her sitting on the veranda the
next morning chatting with friend of
mine. l Joined them.
"Will you kindly present me?" l ask
ed of the mutual acquaintance in a
formal tone.
A smile dawned on the lips that had
kissed mine and broadened perceptibly.
Perhaps there was something in the
formality of the matter that seemed
ludicrous to her in contrast with the
unconventional incident that had oc-
CURED at our first meeting.
But that bit of unconventionality l
refrained not only from mentioning,
but gave her no hint whatever by
which she could identify me as the
man who had taken part in it. My
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