New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-12-24
BREAST wound had put an early end

n 20 ms ACTIVITIES AT the iIoH'' VII
4 n his recovery he was assigned TO a
War Department bureau at the capital. After
he had spent his physical strength in the
service Of the country he could still devote ms
Il atal energies to the same cause. And tins
Io did cheerfully, happy, although disqualified
,cr usefulness at the front TO be able. never
theess. to occupy some responsible non-com-
latant position.
Punctual to the minute he travelled to his
,ffce. month in and month out in the early
morning hours The same underground train
always carried him from his suburb TO the
,ipsic Street station and he always had the
opportunity to watch with his merry, some
nat quizzical eyes, the same fellow travellers.
But they hardly repaid his almost youthful
interest in things and persons about him, for
most Of them were Of the tireSome type Of
newspaper reading. business ridden shop
people. whose little superficial peculiarities he
had only too quickly learned by heart. Occa-
sionally few practical housewives were TO De
encountered, hurryng into the central part OF
tire city to make early purchases. Yet they
we're generally so absorbed in their accounts
and shopping plans that his interest in them
soon lapsed. even if they happened TO be young
and pretty.
So he was standing one day. usual. in his
corner near the conductors door, his hands
thrust deep in the pockets of his winter coat,
gazing idly around. There was nothing to see
worth seeing.
But stop, He gave start. Fine, This
day the trip would be more interesting.
lady tall and slender like himself passed by
him and seated herself in the hindmost corner
Of the little compartment. She was dressed in
black and looked about her with a tranquil
air He smiled when she did exactly what all
the other persons did with whom he was thrown.
Her eye caught and followed the crimson
stripe on his trousers and then lifted itself
with d vague expression Of respect and APP
proval to his face.
But then she looked up no more. and after
he had watched her attentively for a time
during the trains run he lost sight Of her
when she got out.
Too bad He would have been glad to know
who she was
How the susceptible heart of the merry
Hans Won Segen futtered when he found her
again the next morning in her corner seat
He took place opposite her She cast hur-
RED glance at him and then, with an air OF
imperturbability took notice in turn of the
other passengers But the corners of her
mouth softened. without her knowing it, thus
indicating TO him that she was more wide
awake and more roguish than she wished to
appear Yet he sought in vain by gazing at
her to penetrate her settled. we-bred reserve.
To-day he saw that he must be content merely
cd; y-bo hoy dacti AZ
He was delighted with what he discovered
They followed the same street and, close to
the door of his own office building a porter
opened door for her which led into the House
Of Deputies. Numerous bodies Of volunteer
relief workers were quartered in that huge
structure. and it was easy to guess that she
had devoted herself to some branch Of relief
activity.
SO there would be a daily journey with her
and daily walk over from the subway sta
ton. He looked forward TO the weeks follow
ing as schoolboy does to the Christmas holi-
days.
And now curious and absorbing experience
began.
They sat in opposite seats as though neither
saw the other. They walked behind each other
as 4 neither was aware Of the others presence.
On their faces and in their movements there
was no trace of anything except the self-com-
mand and the impassveness which 90 with
education and breeding.
But he was deeply moved by her and he
knew that she knew IT. He felt himself held
at arms length by her cool, collected man
ner Yet it inhamed him with impotence.
His chances were not importunate, yet they
demanded some response.
lie brought along the books which he liked
best and when she entered the car he read
industriously. And after he had given her an
opportunity TO see the titles he could tell from
her expression whether she was familiar with
his favorites and was always pleased at her
appreciatve look.
Or perhaps he talked to one of the many
comrades from his Office who travelled on the
train. and all his words were meant, not for
the innocent object Of his polite and amabe
remarks. but for a quiet person with big blue
eyes. who often almost unconsciously looked
across and eavesdropped.
But all this did not help him 10 bridge over
the frightful social chasm Of unaquantance.
SO he thought up piece Of strategy
When, one morning some very important
war news came he bought copy Of the latest
newspaper She took her seat in the car and