The Dickinson press., 1914-02-21
AN UNPAID.
DEBT
By MANToN HENDERSON

pecting an aunt whom ! was to meet
and see through the city to her home,
l went to the station to meet her. l
didn't meet my aunt. She had delayed
her coming. but I met with an adven-
ture.
Those waiting for the train
roped of to inspect those who left 1t
and to- pounce on those we expected
when they came along. Among the last
was a young lady whose face the mo
ment she saw me broke into a smile,
and, advancing to the rope, she drop
ped a suit ase she was carrying and.
clasping my hand, put up her lips to
be kissed. She was a stranger to me.
I defy any man, be his intentions
the most scrupulous. to have a pretty
girl put up her mouth to be kissed to
draw back. Why. it would be an in
suit to the Airl. At any rate,-I Kissed
the young lady, ~fervently since l was
about it. and awaited developments.
confess l. wondered should my aunt
the proceeding. Then l was afraid she
would come along and bring about an
explanation before an explanation was
called for.
"Im SO glad you've GOMEZ said the
girl. did you get the telegram? I'm
tired out carrying this suit case"
And, taking it up. she handed it to me.
Have you got a carriage? You have
changed eve SO much"
Now, if she had stopped for an an
swer to the first Of these questions l
would have been in honor bound to
| explain. But she didn't, and. taking
the suit cas- from her. letting her do
all the talking, upon which she seem
ed bent, l escorted her to the street,
called a carriage and, my conscience
prompting me to 60 no further, stood
still. She looked at me with wonder in
her big brown eyes and said:
"Why. what are you waiting forY'
This ratified me, and I got into the
carriage and shut the door.
"Where to-, sir" called the driver.
/ hesitated a moment, got out the
word Number" hesitated again, and
the girl supplied the information. Then
we ratified away, l feeling as though l
had been committing a forgery and
expecting an arrest at any moment.
Unfortunately the girl subsidized from
her l%oquacity, and I felt bound to say
something. 1 thought it a good time to
eQnfess-that is, il ! could pump up
the courage to do Sc. a..
81 feel it my duty to tell you"- /
began. a 5az- -:
"Oh, heavens! What is it? Any
one dead?" /:
This ratified me again. I hadn't the
| sand to gego Oh in the vein I had start.
ed. I switched of.
"Oh, no. l said. mot that at all.
What l was going to say is that for q
few days l shall be loaded down to
the guards with work and shall not be
able to show you the same attention
as if"-
Dear me, how you frightened me!
l know Uncle Ben is quite ill, and I
feared you we're going to tell me that
the poor old man had gone"
"Not at all, not at all. 1 assure
you l had no such intention" i!
mopped my face with my handkerchief.
All the while the carriage was bowl
ing toward the address given the cab
man, and ! was thinking Of that "day
Of wrath when l should meet those
who would uncover my unattended de-
cepion and make me an object OF
contempt. 7
do you know" said my companion,
turning to look at me with her face.
her lips dangerously "a mine, that
had not been looking for you I
wouldn't have known you
"You, too, are changed" l replied,
and a method Of saving myself flashed
into my brain. Why shouldn't l pre-
tend to have made a mistake as well as
she? Splendid idea! Now was the
time. So l continued, this time with
perfect confidence: But, Lou. the
change is for the better. You were
pretty when | saw you last. Now you
are beautiful"
"I'm glad you continue to call me by
my first name" she replied. II was
afraid you would. Miss. me-"
Great heavens. ratified again! had
accidentally struck her name. Instead
Of wondering that ! didn't call her
Alice or Evelyn or some name other
than her. own. thus bringing out the
double blunder,S she was gladS12 did it.
The carriage swerved to the curb. !
was lost. In a moment persons would
be running out to meet the girl and
give me away. Miserable me. what
should do? oh. for d little, more
time! SS n II
Before we alight,n she said, II wish
to say something. You won't feel hurt,
Willgyou?'
Certainly not! Go on
please don't see me to the door.
They don't know anything about this
meeting. and ! don't care at present
to have them know"
! gave mute thanks to heaven. ~
think You are quite right said. II
IG-srvT--.-A .egNES