The Calumet news., 1913-10-04
THE NEWS SHORT STORY

blpW little tcudrllS OF lleI pioNn mt
over her white forehead
4 hot breath on her neck reused her
| instantly
Might as we'll be sociablc," said q
thick voice behind her. aud she turned
70 find that the solitary passenger BAD
! walked along the running board ana
taken a scat back of her. Don't care
how long we stay, do YOU He
laughed reckcssly, aud Kitty sat there
/ frozen with horror,
If The conductor or the motorman
would only turn around
"S'pose might rs well sit beside
YOU" mumbcd the man as he cssayed
to climb ovc, the seat.
please dcu't" cried Kitty, unaware
of the SHARP terror in her voice.
4 dark form swung into view from
the front platform, ana the motorman
thrust his head through the open front
/ window
The conductor pushed the loafcr
back into the seat and hustled him
| into the rear uC the car. Stay there,
he ordered stcrnly, "or I'll put YOU Off
Understand!
The loafer grumblcd himself into I'M
easy slumber. aud the conductor came
up and stood M the end of kittyS
seat Kitty could see his form out
/ lined against the open end.
II am sorry he frightened you he
said courteously. II should not have
left the ear only thought he was
asleep
1T is no matter" trembed Kitty.
Must We wait long
II cannot say There is something
wrong At the power house. The scry
ice has been poor all day
He sat down ON the end of her seat
: and removed his cap, letting the wind
rutle his hair He did not address
her again
Kitty knew that he was sitting there
to protect her, and she felt grateful
stir ~ warmth at his thoughtfulnesS
Il was what one would expect from n
man that looked 80 much like Len
/ 1huruieigh
Suddenly he put M his hand and
rumped his hair i'm such familiar
manner that Kitty Baker 0ycrSteppcd
the bounds of couyentiouality and cx-
claimed:
Len
Like flash he turned toward her
aud sat staring, IN that Instant the
! light narcd up aud revealed her face.
Again they we're in darkness. but he
WAS sliding along the seat toward her.
| kitty, Is il really vouE' he asked
/ hoarScly.
why. Len. Len. it is you after aIl!''
She half subbcd
Somehow her hands were in his aud
ne was holding them tightly. shaking
them mp aud down
What are you doing hcreF" he asked
brusquely, rs one unaccustomed TO see
ing his womaDkind riding unprotected
/ ia public vehicles at midnight
Kitty told him frankly. finding a de.
/ licious SENSE of relief in talking to him
again
And you?" she asked nj last.
notwithstanding my living he
said grimly.
Then you are poor Something has
happened. oh. Len. ! am so glad.'
! kitty'S voice was bctraying.
Now that | am wage Garner you
can tell me if you love me-" he said
! gently.
"Oh. Len, OF course | do" sobbed
Kitty on his shoulder and the motor
man discrcctly turned his back upon
/ them
And YOU will marry me-" he asked
after an interval
Yes. she whispered, III you can
take grandmother too"
"Of course. wish there were more
of YOU to take. unclcs and cousins and
aunts,' he chucklcd gayly, then sud.
denly But how about my fathers
money! You hate the stuff"
Yes. in way, only felt could
not hold you 10 your promise when I
was so poor, and-aud-I thought YOU
were working for your living now"
Kitty drew away from his arms
~ am, When YOU drew that line
against my money | went TO father
ana told him If went through college
! would earn every penny myself.
couldn't Let the girl loved go out
TO work every day and be such dronc
myself. He let me do il. ana I've
done MI sorts of things. Kitty This
trolley work is fine and cool and
healthy in the summer timer He
laughed big. healthy laugh
" Nour-father-waS disappoinlcdy'
Not Ia the least Guess what his
last words were when I took this lob
Kitty There was laughter in his
voice
Tell me"
- Go out AMI grub for your living.
1t won't hurt you. And il you can
una that little girl OF yours-Dan Ba.
kers dauGhtcr-just kidnap her and
tell her there is big. lonesome house
Waiting FOR her here Lens voice
was very tender when he concluded
And grandmother. too" asked Kit.
~ weakly
Room Tor dozen like her you
KNOW all our women folks have died
salu Len in hushed voice.
Len. believe you need us vhis.