River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1917-02-22

The rain was falling in a steady
downpour, but NJ. Max stood there IN
der an awning softly humming a little
French melody until a taxicab crawled
into view around the corner.
He whistled shrilly through his teeth
the whistle Of a gamin-and the cab
man. glancing up and perceiving him.
| pulled around into the turning and
drew up by the awning.
NJ. Max entered the cab.
| ITO Frascati's." he directed.
| The cabman backed out into Greek
street and drove off, This was the
hour when the theaters were begiu-
ming to eject their throngs. and out
side one Of them where a popular COM
edy had celebrated its three hundred
and tiftieth performance the press OF
cabs and private cars was SO great
that NJ Max found himself delayed
within sight of the theater foyer.
Those patrons Of the comedy who
had omitted to order vehicles or who
did not possess private conveyancea
found themselves in a quandary to-
night, and among those thus unfortu.
nately situated NJ. Max, watching the
scene with interest, detected lady
whom he kneW-nOne other than the
delightful American whose converse.
ton had enliyened his recent journey
from Paris. Miss Denise Ryland She
was accompanied by a charming com
panion. who. although she was wrap
ped up in warm theater cloak, seem.
ed to be shivering disconsolately as she
and her friend watched the intermina-
bic stream of vehicles fling up before
the theater and cutting them off from
any chance of obtaining a cab for
themselves.
M. Max acted promptly.
Drive into that side turningr he di
rected the cabman. leaning out of the
window. The cabman followed his di-
rectionS. and NJ Max, needless of the
inclement weather, descended from the
cab, lodged actively between the head
lamps Of very large car and the tail
light of a taxi and stood bowling be-
fore the two ladies. his hat pressed to
his bosom with one gloved hand, the
other, ungloved, resting upon the gold
knob of the malacca.
why" cried Miss Ryland, IF it
isn't NJ CASTOR! My dear NJ. CASTOR.
come under the awning or"-her head
was wagging furiously-'you will be
simply drowned"
NJ. Max smilingly complied.
This is NJ. CASTOR" said Denise
Ryland, turning to her companion. 1.-The
French gentleman whom | met in the
rain from Paris This is Miss Helen
Cumberly, and know you two will
get on famousy."
M. Max acknowledged the presenta-
ton with few simple words which
served to place the oddly met trio upon
a mutually easy footing. He was par
excellence the polished cosmopolitan
man of the world.
fortunately l saw your dilemma
he explained. Il have a cab on the
corner yonder. and it is entirely at
your service"
Now, that is real good Of you" de-
clared Denise Ryland. II think you're
"a brick"
But, my dear Miss Ryland," cried
Helen. 1--WE cannot possibly deprive M.
CASTOR of his cab on a night like this!'
Il had hoped" said the Frenchman,
bowling CALAMITY, that this most hap
py reunion might not be allowed to
pass unceiebrated. Tell me if | in
trude upon other plans. because | am
speaking sel1shly. But | was on my
way to a lonely supper, and, apart
from the great pleasure which your
company would afford me, you would
be such very good Samaritans if you
would join me-"
Helen Cumberly. although she was
succumbing rapidly to the singular fas
cination of M. Max. exhibited GER
tain hesitancy. She was no stranger
to bohemian customs. and if the dis
tinguiShed Frenchman had been an ole
friend OF her companions she should
have accepted without demur. But she
knew that the acquaintance had com
menced i'll continental railway train.
and her natural prudence instinctively
took up a brief for the prosecution.
But Denise Ryland had other views.
My dear girl" she said. 'yOu are not
going to be so crack Drained as to
stand here arguing and contracting
rheumatism. lumbago and other absurd
complaints when you know perfectly
well that we had already arranged to
go to supper" She turned to the smil-
ing Max. This girl needs dragging
out of her morbid self, NJ. CASTOR.
Well accept your cab on the distinct
understanding that you are to accept
EUR invitation to supper"
NJ. Max bowed agreeably.
by all means let my cab take us to
your supper" he said. laughing.
At few minutes before midnight
Helen Cumberly and Denise Ryland.
escorted by the attentive Frenchman.
arrived at Palace mansions. Any dis
trust which Helen had experienced at
first was replaced now by the esteem
which every one Of discrimination
criminals excluded formed of NJ
Max. She perceived in him a very ex-
quisite gentleman and. although the