South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1917-12-20


brown curly head. Virginia Lowell
strided toward the teeming depot.
A burly porter rushed forward to
take her bags. then deity escorted
her through the traffic and conges-
lion. through the long stone corridor
past aIluEing fruit shops where
luscious odors commingled with
sweet smelling perfumes waiting
from the drug store in immediate
proximity. When they had reached
the waiting room, the porter set the
bags down. grinning thankfully for
the generous tip she had pressed
into his dark palm.
Virginia sat thinking a few mo-
ments before she decided TO buy a
ticket.
Its awfully nice Of Sue to invite
me-" she soliloquized, "but it's a
long trip TO PhiIlie and I'm just
wondering whether L ought TO take
It or not I've lots Of work TO do
this week at the office. and if it isn't
in. my boss will" She was start
led from her reverie by the metallic
sounds Of the station attendants
voice when he announced the train
she intended taking
Virginia arose. quickly purchased
a round trip ticket and smiled TO
herself. That's the way Fate de-
cides things for people in New
York" she commented secretly.
You don't get time to figure il out
for yourself"
Virginia was too conscientious!
That was her big trouble. Every
one had been telling her so lately.
And she was beginning 10 realize il
now with a shudder Life was Ger
tainly passing her by. But simply
because she was too busy with the
detailed affairs Of her employer to
get into the parade and become
chummy with her next door neigh
Dor There was place only for the
littie homely things of life to be ap-
preciated by her demure tempera-
ment. And because Of this every
one had reminded her she was be-
coming unpopular
We'll. here goes" she decided
with a resoIute little air. if things
don't come out right at the office
because Of this little excursion, I'll
just take it as a matter of Fate. 4"
And with this she descended the
steps to the train on the platform
below.
The accompanying porter had set
tied her in a comfortable seat in
the day coach. and Virginia had
opened a magazine and begun a
story, when her attention was pc
culiarly attracted to a figure hover
ing over the empty seat beside her
She glanced up and beheld a most
attractive youth with brOnzed skin
and clear, sparkling eyes. rejecting
in their merry twinkle some of the
soft light that filtered through the
semi-darkened windows
SIS this seat occupied?" he asked
courteously. and Virginia wavered
a brief second. Usually she prefer
red 10 be alone, but there was some
thing stimulating in the very pres
ence Of this attractive youth.
"Why-" she hesitated. then an
swered direct. ''No-nOt as far as
/ know
Her old sense Of reserve returned
Immediately. She felt his presence
keenly but she continued 70 read heI
story.
When the train pulled out of the
station and they were speeding Over
green meadows. past long rows o,
glazing advertisement signs the
youth turned 10 Virginia and smiled
Perhaps you would care to have
one of these newspapers" he sug
gested, proffering her one of tn
metropolitan dailies
Virginia wanted 20 open a con
versation. She wanted 10 talk, {,
know this attractive youth, 10 max,
friends with him and 10 exchang,
condolences. But she had practice'
conventional behavior so long. sh
could not Some how all the spon
taneity she had imagined at jus
such an opportunity seemed to b.
held gripped somewhere in he
lonely soul and she could not sum
mon il.
"No-thank you've a-maga
zine that-wiu do" she answere,
umidly with but a faint flicker of
smile. and continued to pin her at
tention to the story.
The youth smiled an apology
opened one of his newspapers an
began to read 10 himself
Late that evening when Nirgini
had arrived at sues home and the
had gone over the little bits of fem
mime gossip dear To the hearts @
old school companions she drew he
plain little white dress from tn
grip and began To smooth out a fe,
lingering wrinkles.
I'm most ashamed TO wear thi
plain old thing" she commented {
sue. cycling the cloth of silver gov
the latter had just withdrawn fror
her exquisite wardrobe
why, honey. youn look perfect
IS wonderful in that" sue respond
ed encouragingly. That's just YOU
style Of dress. Wish ] could wea
plain things. I can't though / loo