The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1915-01-17

be, 1t was keen and real nevertheless. and until she
had thrashed out this question with the woman
which had suddenly grown up in her she could not
make Of her marriage with Ned the sacred relation
ship which She had held her ideal The black
Vandyked man passed quite near her. gazing at her
with smile. She walked around him.
Where should she go? Home? She could see her
father and mother plying her with question upon
question, driving her to tears with their worried In
sistence and their utter lack OF understanding. How
could they understand a problem which had grown
up since their youth had passed? Not home, then.
Ii not home, where then! AS If from the setting
sun the answer came to her Just New York. So
big and so intent upon itself that friends may dwell
around the corner for years and never know
Ned at that moment was extracting slow informa
ton from half deaf and totally dumb old woman
with cross grained disposition. Yes, she had seen
young woman get Off the train at a station back
there She didn't know IL the station was Farm.
Vile or not but the girl had rice in the brim of
her little hat
June Warner. alone the station platform, had
grappled meantime with the first problem of her in
dependence That problem had to do with the
means of getting to New York. and it was con-
creely expressed in her beautiful little gold watch
In the meantime Neds train had drawn up at
the next stop, and he had the station master in
Farnville in minute and was inquirng for a lone
ly bride
why, yes" huskily shouted the station master
at Farnvie. "A young person OF that description
has been ioafing around here on the platform and
she's just getting the down. local." reported
the station master shes with tall fellow with
pointed black whiskers. He's helping her on the
train
A black Vandyked stranger. Ned almost rseisA
So that was why she had left the trainl
Stop them" he yelled. But the phone dead
Station masters are busy people
train Numbered ina down train Ned looked
at the bulletin board The New York express. II
arrived in New York at the same time the local.
The first passenger to board that train per
spring faced young man, swinging four pieces OF
white ribboned luggage.
June paying but little attention to the who
had helped her, turned nervousiy into the car.
day coach. and viewed the interior with despair.
In that coach there were only two passengers.
man and a woman. sitting together.
Would you like to buy watch?" invited June
in her smallest voice she confronted the rigid
woman and held out her merchandise
No. returned the woman without moving
muscle. Only her feather wabbled The cast
at the merchandise a look OF contempt
Its a very nice watch urged June. Its a solid
gold and l don't know how many Jewels. /
only need money enough to get to New York and
hire taxi. Then must find some work"
The black Vandyked mans eyes lighted. Il don't
want it." observed the woman. looking straight
ahead. while the mans glance OF contempt strayed
from the merchandise to the vender.
Every WELL" nodded June, and a grain OF rice fell
from the brm of her little blue hat and bounced
In the rigid woman's lap.
The turned sharply. then she half rose
and looked at the top OF the hat There
rice on it!
Let me see that watch" she said icfly. One lid
contained picture of June and her dog. and the
other the date OF the gift and her name and address.
How much do you need for thisr
she wants about $40. ma'am." This from
the pale faced conductor, who was broad and
stufy that he was offense in narrow aisles but
his eyes were full OF wrinkles
The rigid lady snapped the watch shut and turned
to her husband. Dan" 1t did not seem possible
that her voice could take on wheedlng tone, but
1t did. Il want $40"
The man turned to her with cold dsdain. He
produced $40 from a tight bound wallet and in.
stanty into June'sShind there flashed that picture
of her standing before Ned piteous beggari
The runaway bride took seat by herself and
presently given the discomfort of knowing
that the man was grumbling at the woman inces.
sanity for having bought the watch. The black
vandyked man went over to them, and she saw
him pay some money, and then he came back 70
June with the watch in his hand.
"Of course you won't permit me to present you
with this? he pleasantly observed. "If you care
to send for 1t later, however viii be very glad
indeed to give you my card"
Thank you" she accepted. and taking the card,
put 1t In her belt. You very kind"
1t not until they were nearing the station In
New York that he spoke to her again
Pardon me-" he said, bending her. "If l
can be OF any service to You your arrival shall
be very happy indeed
There is nothing thank you," she replied smil.
ing up at him. You very kind"
At that particular moment the New York express
overlook the local and slowly forged ahead and
Ned Warner peering feverishiy into every passing
window saw the suave, black vandyked stranger
bending gracefully over his wife. and June was
smiling up at himl Then Ned. against his will
passed on
The express. however delayed a moment
and the local pulled in ahead OF 1t. Ned was the
first passenger out Of the express. and he landed
on the platform Just In time to see the vandyked
man and June going through the gate side by side
Ned rushed after them, but 1t was not until he
reached the Vanderbilt avenue stairway that he
saw them again. June was darting through the
door and just behind her the man. He was
smiling. With rush Ned rounded the balustrade
and went up three steps at spring. He arrived
only In time to see June speeding away in taxi
cab and to see the black Vandyked man starting
after her In another He jumped into third one
and shouted
Chase themw
InlA l.ranA i