The Washington herald., 1913-10-27
STANDING ROOM ONLY.
BY JOANNA SINGLE.

Carr Davidson went up the side street
gloomiiy kicking the dead leaves that
ciuttered the walk. and hating every
thing in general The early November
sunshine was bright. but there was a
chill in the afternoon air-and q chill
in carrs mood. His scowI deepened
when he saw Jerome Bemis turning the
corner. He disliked Jerome's optimism.
or course, when they met jerome
grinned idiotic good nature.
Hello. old Carr he began. well.
I'll turn and walk with you. though you
look dangerous. What's up with your
You looked like a death s-head at Wind
hams last night. ! wonder NStacia didn't
have one OF US other fellows put you
out You looked ugly"
Carr did not answer. He offered Je-
rome cigar. hoping vainly to shut his
mouth Herewith; lit one for himself
and kicked more leaves
Where you goin'?" continued Jerome.
cheerfully. "Come with me. I'm goin'
to Windham's-yes, againi Perhaps there
won't be more than three or four fellows
there" He chuckled. 'She ought to
have Standing room only sign on the
front door as a warning when she's as
popular as she Is all the time lately!
Well them as has, gifts, the saying
goes"
For heavens sake talk of something
elser' Jerome laughed.
II like the subject. I'm not touchy.
you old crouch. Oh, ] say, there she
comes now-and alonei Say, I'll skedad-
die and let you have her
Carr turned to give him savage look,
but Jerome was not to be silenced, and
Stacia ewindham was almost upon them.
She was tall. brown. merry-eyed.
Miss Windham, do wait moment.
Won't you let Carr turn and walk home
with you? He needs a gentle influence
just now-he Is savage. / think he Is
ugly because there were so many calling
on you last night that he got no chance
to tell his troubles. They are deep and
many. And he has a suggestion-he
wants a standing room only sign put
out on the porch when you have other
callers-so he won't come in. He likes
to get a girl alone and gloom and
moon"
'Tn break your head II you don't
get along" promised Carr. laughing in
spite of himself Clear out"
Stacia stood laughing as Jerome lifted
his cap and departed. plump. good-na-
tured. imperturbable.
without a word Carr turned and
walked beside the girl-they were both
tall and walked together with rhythm
like music. Silence fell between them
a queer strange silence. After a bit the
young man looked down and met the
girls inquiring glance. He flushed.
Going straight homer he asked.
knowing he must say something. She
hesitated, but he wouldn't help her.
'.Yes-I was-would you like to come
in for a few minutesT Now he hesi-
tated, and she flushed. mot unless you
care to- she finished rather haughtily-
"will you go for waIk?" he said.
TITS beautiful in the woods-it isn't very
far. I'd like that better than the
house"
Together they passed the quiet. sub
stantial homes of her street. turned
through a pasture, getting dun-colored
with autumn, and wound up q little
crooked path into the woods, now brown
and sere with an occasional gleam OF
yellow and red The dead leaves were
deep beneath their feet Both were
strangely silent. But presently the man
broke the silence. He turned on her
almost savagely, so that she recoiled
and stopped in her walk
"Are you going to marry Jim Dennyg
why, no: that is-you have no right
to ask!' she replied, surprised. hurt. in
Jim Denny! / should think
notr'
IAN right. Then are you going to
marry Percy Perkins,
What on earth do you mean? Why
this catechism?'
Still he faced her. The red deepened
in her brown cheeks and her gloved I'm
ger pulled at the red coat she wore
We've always been friends. since we
were babies. haven't We. Stscia?' he
asked. We've always sort of stuck to-
gether till lately, haven't we?'
She hooded wonderingly, but said slow
ly:
Until lately, What change has there
been?'
TEL me-are you going to marry John
Tell me-are you insane?" she retort- |
ed. What do you meanT'
Just what I say-or ask. Are you
going to marry John, or David Peters, |
Or Jerome Bemis, or Sam Porterr'
At this she began TO laugh. but he sud |
IDENTIFY caught her. none too gently, by |
the shoulders.
Answer memo foolingi"
Her laugh grew nervous and then
ceased.
"You-know I'm not going to marry |