The Washburn leader., 1916-08-04
A Gold Eagle
By .F..A Mitchell

country where they are not known: a
young man who, in cutaway coat,
spats and silk hat, has plowed through
oxford street or the Strand in Lon
don or ridden in Rotten row. having
lost or spent all his money, will come
to the United States and go to work
at the first job that presents itself.
One day Miss Laura Bainbridge OF
Philadelphia while on visit to New
York, coming out Of the - hotel
looked about for an auto. A chauf-
feur pulled up beside the curb. Miss
Bainbridge looked at him hard. There
in the uniform Of chauffeur sat
man she had danced with at a ball
among the smart set in London. In
deed, she had had bit Of an affair
with him, but since she was not
wealthy and he came Of a family en-
towing one of the oldest British titles
nothing came of their limited assoc1s
ton. Miss Bainbridge came home to
America, and the Hon. Ralph Scas-
borough danced on.
And now on calling for an auto he
had driven up to the sidewalk and was
reaching back from his seat with one
hand to open the door for her. He
had recognized her while she was
beckoning to him and had had few
moments to recover from the shock he
had received. He looked straight
ahead at the place where the horses
would be If there were horses.
ITO the park" said the lady, step
ping into the auto.
The chauffeur put on the clutch, and
Miss Bainbridge sailed away, driven
by a man whom she had often sailed
away with in the dance In London,
only on this occasion he had dropped
from the social height Of an honorable
to driving taxi.
Not a word did Ralph Scarborough
say to his fare. She asked him few
questions about what was this build
ing and what was that avenue and
other questions for information. which
he answered politely when. possessed
of the required knowledge, which was
not often.
"You are not New Yorker, eh?"
she said at last.
"No, miss; I've lived all my life in
Winnipeg, Canada"
Miss Bainbridge smiled, or, rather.
she chuckled. There was at least
something attractive in the mans ig-
noring his past and their former meet
ings.
She told him to drive slowly through
the park, since her object in being out
was to get the air. She made no ef-
fort to break through the barrier that
separated them. She longed to do SO,
but it was evident he desired that it
should be maintained. Nevertheless
she kept him out for two hours, going
not only all over Central park, but up
per New York to the limits Of Manhat-
tan Island. Then she directed him to
drive her to her hotel. When they
reached it he opened the door, as be-
fore, from his seat behind the wheel.
When Miss Bainbridge stood on the
sidewalk she took out her portemon-
naie and paid her fare.
"Pour boire," she said, handing him
ten dollar gold piece.
"Merci. mademois- Thank you,
MISS"
The French phraise she had used for
tip had thrown him of his guard. but
he caught himself before he had
spoken the last syllable.
Miss Bainbridge turned and without
looking back went into the hotel.
-Four years passed. Miss Bainbridge
was again abroad. She had scarcely
reached London when she received an
Invitation to ball. During the even
ing, or, rather, shortly before daylight
In the morning. a gentleman was
brought up to her by friend for an
Introduction. He was the Hon. Ralph
Scarborough. now with the addition
Of title which had come to him
through q remote branch of his fam
fly.
"why. Miss Bainbridge!" he ex-
claimed.
1--WE meet again after many years.
I feel flattered that you remember me-"
she replied.
'Indeed. do. Have we not danced
together in this very room?''
The lady did not seem to hear. Her
eyes were fixed upon a charm attached
to the gentleman's watch chain. It
was an eagle, an American ten dollar
gold piece. He saw the direction of
her glance and, looking down, per-
ceived what had attracted her atten-
ton.
"Will you dancer" he said.
He put his arm about her, she laid a
hand on his shoulder, and they sailed
away as they had done six or seven
years before. They did not speak,
but doubtless both were thinking
thinking about that auto ride they took
In Central park, New York. When
they had finished the dance they be-
gan to talk about their meeting in
London when Miss Bainbridge was a
bud and he was the Hon. Ralph Scar
borough. A number Of episodes Of
that time were brought up and changes
noted but never word of the time
when he was running a taxi in New
York.
Six months later they were married
A-n a. ~