South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1918-10-27
WHAT HAPPENED AS THE
TRAIN SPED INTO THE
MOUNTAINS.

MOUNTAINS.
The unconventional greeting Of
the strange woman on the mountain
train from Kingston startled. and. if
must confess the truth, annoyei
me.
Upon hearing Dicky's comment
upon my first introduction to the
mountains she had turned around in
her seat and remarked that 1 would
have the treat Of my life in seeing
them. j told myself that it was the
fastidious conventional code I'm which
I had been reared that made me re-
sent this freedom on the part Of the
oddly attractive though plain little
woman. Yet underneath my pre-
tence / realized that what ] really
resented was the frankly admiring.
approving look she had given Dicky-
I ought 20 be used 20 this approx
ing feminine gaze at Dicky; i en-
counter il from the eyes Of some
woman upon almost every occasion
am with him in public place. But
I cannot help the annoyance 1 al
ways feel when I meet 1t. although
/ try hard to put down the feeling.
which / know is futile as we'll as
silly.
But 1 knew better than TO show
any frigidity TO the woman accost-
ing me. Her accent. her voice. the
cut Of her clothing, all showed that
she was a woman Of the world So
jOurning in the mountains. and con-
Quoting herself with an unconven-
tionality which she would not have
used in her own surroundings, but
which she evidently thought suited
TO her environment.
On the Rear Platform.
summoned as friendly a smile
as / could manage 10 my lips.
Being among the mountains is
a long cherished dream Of mine, %
1 said. 81 can hardly realize even
now that I am really among them. &"
If youU cast your eye out OF the
window" Dicky said. carelessly.
you'H md your dream has come
true"
His words were for me. His flash
ing, brilliant. insOuciant smile in
Guided the woman in front of US.
I saw her eyes narrow a trifie. then
widen with an answering friendly
gleam. Then, with a little enigmatic
nod, half TO herself, half 10 us, she
turned abruptly in her seat and
again bent over the long, gray, SER
vicea BILE looking article. evidently a
mans stocking. which she was knit
tins.
Another of those posers who knit
in public for the soldiers" l men
tally commented, as l turned to-
ward the window and drank in the
beauty of the majestic mountain
peaks clothed in their royal robes Of
scarlet and gold.
How would you like 20 stand
on the back platform ." Dicky asked
casually; you can see both sides
from there"
Il think ! should like il very
much" 1 returned demurely. and
followed him 10 the back platform
already occupied BY a heavily built
elderly man, and a great hulking
young giant with his trousers tuck
ed in his boots, who, at my ap-
proach. stepped back with awkward
courtesy 10 give me his place.
"Oh. / don't want TO take your
place" 1 protested.
Il guess I've probably seen this
more times than you have. ma'am."
he drawled. I've been going over
this road twice a day for seven
years"
He turned away as II expecting
no answer. and felt no more
Qualms about usurping his position.
stand in the doorway. Madge. q"
Dicky said, and take hold of me-"
He braced himself on the outside
by clinging to the hand rail OF the
steps. for this was no observation
car: simply an ordinary platform
with the open steps on each sides
OF an accommodation train.
l shivered. and part or the
pleasure went out OF the wonderful
view as l saw how easy il would be
for anyone standing upon this back
platform 10 lose his grip and be
dashed TO death or serious injury on
the rocky sides OF the mountain
pass up which We are travelling.
! took a frm hold OF the inside
door and with my other hand
clutched Dicky's arm firmly. II. for
some unforeseen reason. Dicky should
lose his prip on the rail I resolved
10 have so firm hold upon him
as 20 save him from falling
Then FOR a long time I gave my
self IN wholly 10 the heautxy and
wonder OF the scenery through
which we we're passing.
"Ycu Get out Too"
The train climbed steadily: there
seemed never 20 be a level piece OF
roadway; the track dropped away
dizzily from beneath US as We rush.
I'd on on either side the noun