Bridgeton pioneer., 1916-12-21
HerDeliverer
He Was Old and
Feeble
By AGNES G. BROGAN


unawares on a person. but which was
incurable except by marriage with the
object that had excited it.
This idea never entirely left him.
But there comes to every young man
period when he feels the necessity
Of home, and he knows that there
cannot be a home for him without a
wife. Such a period came for Billy.
But he had never become inoculated
with love; he had never found his af-
finity. He was growing out of his
youth and longed for companion and
a home, but he still clung to the idea
that he must vet meet his mate, that
he would know der the moment he laid
eyes ON her and that the rest depended
on him. Romance had not faded with
his increasing years, and he still pic
tured winning his wife by some brave
deed.
One day Billy boarded trolley car
bound for the suburbs. When he was
about to do so q young lady advanced
up to the steps, and Billy courteously
stood aside. She entered the car and
seated herself. Billy entered the car
and took care to seat himself on the
her fair face, for she was good to look
upon. She was tastefully dressed,
which indicated that she was refined.
On the whole, Billy was much pleased
with her appearance.
Billy regarded the young lady with
admiring eyes from the time they
entered simultaneously the trolley sub
urban. She was such an unusually
nice girl. Mice in Billy's opinion,
was the all embracing word which
expressed her. And as they flew on
through the ripening fields his fertile
mind was busy with possible schemes
for making her acquaintance. But the
to abandon these schemes one by one.
She was most provokingly compe
tent person. The very car windows
moved obediently up or down at her
touch, and she was supplied with all
the evening papers.
er another longing glance at the girls
perfect profile-"meet 'em by the score
everywhere-dances, dinners, theaters
Some fellow who knows no more of
you than your name comes along and
says, 'Mr. Towne, Miss Jinks,' and it's
all right. But here when the one girl
who seems worth while sits before you
your high standing with the syndicate.
your natural charms, count for moth
ing. You just have to let the miles
carry her OH and on and out of your
life."
After which bitter reflection Billy
whistled low and sadly.
The girl, whose face had been avert
ed, now turned it about, and there We're
queer little twinkles at the corners of
the long lashed eyes, bent in ostenta-
tious interest upon the paper.
"Jove," breathed Billy, and his heart
gave queer thump, 'it's the real thing
with me for sure-1ove at first sightv"
His destination should have been the
stopping point just passed. Billy
Towne's business in that place was of
some import, but unhesif .tingly he re-
mained in his seat. Whether or not
Cupid, the unreliable and facetious,
should see fit to intervene, Billy deter
mined to give himself the rather un-
certain pleasure of keeping his divin.
ity In sight until the last possible mo.
ment. But what place should he name
In asking for an extended ticket?
The girl herself settled the question
leaning forward to speak to the con-
ductor as he came down the AISLE
"Will you please tell me-" she asked
and her voice was mice" too, how
may best reach the D. and L. railroad
station when we stop at Sherman?
am going ON in the train to the next
town above"
Certainly" the conductor replied.
Take the short cut across the fields.
You'll see the red station roof"
"The same old way?' smiled the girl.
Same old way assured the conduc
tor
Billy knew that short cut too. 1t led
girl was taking. The thick trees would
be all red and golden now. 1t was
very romantic walk
The girl, alighting with her suit case
threw back a quick glance of annoy.
ance as he followed her down the car
steps But. swinging his own valise
Billy trudged on in apparent uncon.
Germ. He knew that she still came be
hind him down the narrow path from
the constant stirring of the leaves be
meath her feet. Ridiculous little boots
fhe was wearing for rough walk like
this, he reflected Billy wished dest er.
ately that he might at least relieve ner
OF the valise, but instinctively he real
ized the cold snub this offer would oc
casion. So before him the long path
led, brown and dismally. to the red
rooted station,
IL was all very hopeless. There in
that second car he might sit, as before
t-f-