Bridgeton pioneer., 1913-10-02

L
instantly.
| might as well be sociable." said a
| thick voice behind her. and she turned
| to find that the solitary passenger had
| walked along the running board and
taken a seat back of her. Don't care
how long we stay. do your" He
laughed recklessly, and Kitty sat there
frozen with horror.
If the conductor or the motorman
would only turn around.
"S'pose | might as well sit beside
you." mumbled the man as he essayed
| to Climb over the seat.
"Pleass dcn'tr' cried Kitty. unaware
of the sharp terror in her voice.
A dark form SWING into view from
the front platform. and the motorman
thrust his head through the open front
window.
The conductor pushed the loafer
back into the seat and hustled him
into the rear of the car. "Stay there"
he ordered sternly. "or I'll put you off
understand"
The loafer grumbed himself into un-
easy slumber. and the conductor came
up and stood at the end of Kitty's
seat Kitty could see his form out
lined against the open end.
81 am sorry he frightened you," he
said courteously. Il should not have
left the car only l thought he was
asleep"
"It is no matter" trembled Kitty.
Must we wait long?"
II cannot say. There is something
wrong at the power house. The serv-
ice has been poor all day."
He sat down on the end Of her seat
and removed his cap, letting the wind
ruffle his hair. He did not address
her again.
Kitty knew that he was sitting there
to protect her. and she felt grateful
stir of warmth at his thoughtfulness.
1t was what one would expect from a
man that looked so much like Len
Thornieigh.
Suddenly be put up his hand and
rumpled his hair in such a familiar
manner that Kitty Baker Overstepped
the bounds of conventionality and ex-
claimed:
Lem
Like a fash he turned toward her
and sat staring. In that instant the
light 1ared up and revealed her face.
Again they were in darkness, but he
was sliding along the seat toward her.
kitty Is it really vou? he asked
hoarsely.
why. Len. Len. it is you after all!'
she half sobbed.
Somehow her hands were in his and
he was holding them tightly, shaking
them up and down.
What are you doing here?' he asked
brusquely. as one unaccustomed to see
ing his womankind riding unprotected
in public vehicles at midnight.
Kitty told him frankly. finding a de-
licious sense of relief in talking to him
again.
And you?' she asked at last
"Working-earning my living" he
said grimly.
"Then you are poor Something has
Kitty's voice was betraying.
Now that am a wage Garner yOu
can tell me if You love me-" he said
gently.
''Oh. Len, Of course dor' sobbed
Kitty on his shoulder, and the motor
man discreetly turned his hack upon
them.
'-And you will marry me?" he asked
after an interval.
YES" she whispered. IF you can
take grandmother too"
-Of course. | wish there were more
Of you to take uncles and cousins and
aunts." he chuckled gayfy, then sud-
denly: But. how about my fathers
money? You hate the stuff"
''Yes. in way, only l felt could
not hold you to your promise when l
was so poor. and-and-I thought you
were working for your living now"
Kitty drew away from his arms
II am. When you drew that line
against my money went to father
and told him if went through college
I would earn every penny myself.
couldn't let the girl loved go out
bo work every day and be such drone
myself. He let me do it. and I've
done all sorts of things. Kitty. This
trolley work is fine and cool and
healthy in the summer timer He
laughed big. healthy laugh.
"Your-father-was disappointed?"
"NOt in the least Guess what his
last words were when l took this Job,
Kitty?" There was laughter in his
voice.
''Tell me-"
"'Go out and grub for your living.
1t won't hurt you. And if you can
find that little girl of yours-Dan Ba-
ker's daughter-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
ty weakly.
Room for a dozen like her. You
know all our women folks have died"
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