The Southern herald., 1914-05-08
CAR MUTINY
BY MARY ROBERTS RINEHART.



fashion having abolished the mustache
and declares savagely that she need
not worry, she won't
The only unusual feature was that
the Man was handsome, and did not
know 1t, and the Girl, who was charm
ing, and knew it, was quite unspoiled.
Perhaps 1t was the rain that had ruff
fed the current Of true love.
AS he held his umbrella over the
Girl, they were as far apart as the
poles; the drip was falling on the rim
of his hat, and his head being thrown
well back-he was very much injured
"a little stream of water ran down
between the shoulders of his gray rain
coat From one pocket protruded the
corner of a gilt tied package, and the
little widow who stood just back of
them smiled and sighed.
When the Wilkinsville car came
along he assisted the Girl in ceremo-
niously On the platform she turned
and spoke to him.
"You have my purse" she said, icily
polite. May I trouble you for it?"
Which meant that she wished to pay
her own fare; he was not to dare to
do 1t.
The Man looked uncomfortable, and
fished out Of one of his big pockets a
dainty little patent leather affair with
a monogram on it.
The Girl went to the extreme end Of
the car and sat down; the Man made
his umbrella an excuse to stay on the
platform.
The car was comfortably full, but
not crowded. In fact, as they discov-
cred later, there were precisely twen-
ty-six passengers.
The conductor was collecting the
fares. He declined her proffered
nickel with jerk of his head toward
the door.
Fares paid" he said; but the Girl
insistently held out the money.
There is mistake" she said, flush
ing uncomfortably. Il intend to pay
my own fare"
The conductor took it resignedly.
We'll" he said, "the gentleman bacl
there with the gray raincoat paid YOU
fare, but if you want to pay twice, al
right"
He rang up the fare with an air O.
great probity and went on. The Cir
flashed glance Of withering scorn a
the back Of the car.
The widow was palpitating with ex
citement; there was little excres
cence under the glove on the third fin
ger on the Girls left hand. Perhap
they were engaged!
The rain was beating down merci
lessly now-the penetrating, all-pel
vading rain of February. The window
we're steamed and Opaque and tn
tracks were twin canals of sluggish
yellow water. The car stopped wit
jerk, and the conductor thrust hi
head in.
Car ahead please" he said sonc
rously.
With a sigh the women began t
pick up their bundles and gather thei
skirts. This was an imposition unde
which the Wilkinsvilleites had Ion
groaned. The car, designated plainl
for Wilkinsville, would, toward tn
rush hours of the evening, take its pa
sengers only certain distance. Thel
relying on the toleration and lack {
spirit Of the average suburbanite, tn
passengers we're transferred to al
other car which might or might nc
be waiting ahead, and the original ca
was hurried back to town.
The Man took a hand When on
has just quarreled with the only gir
and she has just told him, quite fran
! ly, that she does not care for him an
more, he is in the best possible cond
). tion to take up public grievance.
= Look here" he said, stepping int
: the doorway, don't get out, you pc
!. pie. 1t says Wilkinsville on the frol
/, of this car, and we ought to stay on
until it takes us to Wilkinsville."
: The conductor reached his hand
= the bell rope. The motorman had t
:, ken his place at the reverse end of Il
= car, which was now ready to start t
= war! the city again.
= "All out for Wilkinsville," said Il
- conductor. Take the next car ahead
= An Irish laborer got up and pick
: up his dinner bucket.
:, Come on" he said. Yell do
: anyhow, afther the other cars gon
:. The gr-r-reat American people is mig
: ty indepindint-on the FOURTH
: July"
. He went out then, but the shaft hi
= told. One passenger stopped in 4
= aisle.
= 81 demand" he said, that this C
take US to Wilkinsville. II 1t doesI
there will be trouble"
II guess there will be" said the &C
ductor, IF missin your dinner will
trouble"
. Then the Man spoke again.
= Anyone who wishes to should 6
, out now and take the car ahead
J there is one. Those who would like
e e make this a test case will remain
the car and insist that 1t go to Wiki
Vile"
He glanced at the Girl, but she 4
not move. A woman with baby 6
y mn irreaoluteJv looked mt at the no,