The herald., 1918-01-03
HAa Hh - ma - MINI
his GREAT SPEECH:
- BY ELIAS KILLlAN -
w n N N N m n n nv

rs THIS the WOOuDrOOK dCcOlnIuOud-
tion?"
He was tall, muscular and in a des-
perate hurry. 1t was an accommodate
ton train he was after, but he spoke
in limited express time.
times up" was the reply, and the
man began to close the gate. He be-
gan to close it-but that was all. An
arm like steel grasped the iron and,
pushing back both gate and keeper,
made a path and the young man did
not tarry to hear the unpleasant words
the gatekeeper said, but started In
full run down the platform. The train
was beginning to move, but with fine
Jump he caught the rail and then in
continuance of his haste he threw him.
self against the door and moved
quickly and intently down the aisles
of the cars, going from one to the
other in feverish intensity. 1t was the
first train after the fashionable hours
of business and society-the twilight
train that carries people who have
and who make money to their sub
urban homes.
He met the conductor.
Captain" he said very rapidly, rs
Miss Nottingham of WoOdbroOk on
this train?" and before the conductor
could reply the young man had darted
forward and was standing by an old
lady whose generous lap was as full
of bundles as Friday bargain counter
it happened to be Friday, too. In
the same seat next to the window sat
q beautiful and placid young woman.
"Why, how do you do, Mr.. Fara-
dayY
He took off his hat, but his speech
was all directed to the elderly lady
with the numerous spOils of shopping.
Madam" he said, I'm very sorry to
disturb you-very sorry-but / have
something of extreme importance to
say to this lady, and / must have the
seat you are occupying"
"Sir?"
"Allow me to move your bundles to
the seat opposite. Thank you much
for your kindness. Just give them to
me. That's 1t. Thank you! Be quick.
please, as must get of at the station
after the next One."
"SirF
Before the bewildered matron could
know what had happened she found
herself escorted-driven-to the other
seat and the bundles were falling back
into her lap In heaps, and in the midst
Of 1t all the largest one broke and
oranges rolled wildly forth. Then the
young man dived after them. He
could hardly do less-and 1t was lot
more than he wanted to do. In few
minutes he had the fruit, and, with
more apologies, he jumped around. and
took the seat beside the young lady.
"Don't laugh" he said. Don't
speak. Just listen" and with deadly
seriousness he went on. I'm ex-
pected to make the principal speech at
tonight's meeting. Must get OF sta
ton after next so as to get back in
time. Ten minutes ago found that
Dick Thompson is going out to your
house tonight, and know he is going
to propose. Now all ask Is a fair
show-just-."
well. Mr.. Faraday, what do you
wantT and the blue eyes danced.
Miss Observation-Disclosures just
this way. All ask is that you hold
out until I can have my say. II l
know that I'm to have equal chances
with Dick-it's downright mean of him
to take advantage of me when he
knows I must make that speech-oh,
| yes, we've been good friends and all
that sort of thing-but It's Just this
way-why don't you see can never"
Really, Mr.. Faraday. have not the
slightest idea that Mr.. Thompson"
IT didn't say that you had, but I
have, and / know what / am talking
about. Now, Nellie, don't throw q
fellow down. Hold your heart back
| for twenty-four hours. That's it
that's what I'm coming to-"
"Next station Dover" sang out the
brakeman.
"Give me your answer. I think
hear it now. VIII you ruin that
speechT he asked. "Or will you give
me hope-something to build on and
work for? If so, when / am before
that great audience, can see your
smile and feel your interest, know
shall do something that is worthy-but
If it's all up, then"
81 beg your pardon" said the con.
ductor as he stopped at the seat. did
give you the right change?"
TOO muchT
mo, too little"
"Then keep it and let me alone. Ga
away-please go away"
"All out for Dover" sang the brake.
man.
"Nellie," he whispered, stop laugh.
ing and tell me whether or not that
speech is going to be a failure or q
successful me enough to keep me
from"
"Dover-all off," sang the voice, and
Faraday arose.
"Tell me-" he asked.
II am sure your speech will be
great success and ] shall be glad to
have you tell me all about II tomor.
row night" she said very sweetly.
God bless you" he exclaimed, al
he ran down the aisle.