Saint Mary's beacon., 1918-02-21
ATE lMTERvENES
~ JACK LAWToN.

handsome masculine Iace across INC
aisle. Not that Bess was an impress
sionsble young creature; strange faces
rarely interested her. but there was
about this one some peculiar magnetic
charm which drew her own eyes un-
willingly.
Resolutely now she pursued her
reading as the miles flew by. A sensa-
tion OF being observed forced her to
look up again. The man was regard
ing her wonderingly. as though trying
to place her among past acquaint-
Rnces.
@No self-respscting young woman
may pick up a travelling companion.
she severely reminded herself. The
man across the aisle had sighed wear
lily; his dark eyes seemed to be plead
ing the question. Bess turned to the
ear window impatiently. Back there IN
town some mutual friend had but to
humble in introduction two names
and one is ip duty bound to be pleas
ant to the one presented.
"Oh, well i"--Bess abruptly arose
and made her way to the diner. This
was really the 'last call to the dining
car" There was but one unoccupied
table. Seating herself, she studied the
menu. AS she hesitated over Its CON
tents the subservient waiter pushed
forth the remaining chair.
"Sit heah, suh," she heard him say
ing. and glanced up to find her vis-a-
Wis the man who had been sitting
across the car aisle.
Il beg your pardon" he began, as
though apology were necessary for his
intrusion.
Silently Bess nodded; then, at the
mans evident dlmdence she flashed a
smile.
you have perfect right to the
only vacant chair" she said. After
that silence seemed foolish formal
ity. The man was journalist, she
learned. and his conversation proved
TO be as interesting as his appearance
had promised. After the meal. 1t
seemed but natural sequence that
he should transfer his suitcase TO Bes-
sizes side OF the chr and continue the
conversation there.
The hours now fiew by as quickly as
the miles. Bess dImpled and smiled,
glancing up into the mans attentive
eyes, and wondered again at that
sense Of familiar companionship.
'It is strange" he said, promptly
answering her thought yet could
not have forgotten had met you be-
fore"
She flushed at his implied meaning
1--WE must meet again." he added
impulsiyely.
Bess did not answer. He was leav-
ing the car at Buffalo, no be told her
and arose as though reluctant, draw.
Ing on his greatcoat Her own desti
milton, few miles farther on. had not
been mentioned.
As the car slowed into the station
she realized, half-angrlly. that she was
10th to let the stranger go, saddened
at the thought Of losing forever, In the
rush Of life outside, this man whom
yesterday she had not seen.
Il cannot 60" he said tensely, with
out hope Of seeing you again. xoni
name. III least. xon will ten ine that
Ind some tlzao~~r
But Bass was resoIute. To1ngFfow
perlaaps. be would laugh at the Incl
dent. Tomorrow she would forget al
about II.
''Good-by,r ahe said, smiling. "Thil
ks the end OF a short but pleasant &C
quaIntance."
The car was emptyIng, The mar
reached desperately for his yallse. Il
cannot be the end" he answered Arm
". Fate win intervene"
Would III Bess was very doubtful
as she caught a last glimpse OF hi
broad-shouldered figure before III,
train whisked her on in the darkness
And Il fate refused to be obligine
would she forget the last few hour
as easily as she had prophesied7
Long she sat before the flre In be-
room that night. From the flames /
nuns dark eyes seemed to be re
preaching her. and the vision wouls
not be banished. Where was he now
And would he try to find herf But ih,
hope was not to be entertained. Tmi
was prosaic world, where people
went senslbly about their duties. Da,
after dag abe would 90 back and fortl
teaching in the schoolhouse on the hili
and nothing beautiful or unusua
would ever happen, Then suddenl,
Bess sat up listening Some one wai
calling; she was wanted--'Iong-dis
tanee on the phone"
"How do you do2" came deep
well-remenbered voice. 'This Is you
travelling companion Of an hour or tw,
ago. Fate has intervened. l opened
as supposed--my suitcase, few mo
ments ago and found a pink silk ki
mono. / think you call It, and let
ter. The letter being addressed Il
Miss Bessie Roberts / have lost n,
time in calling up that young lady I,
identify what believe to be her prop
erty. The two suitcases must hay,
beeh identical. so mine was pardon
able mistake. II you viii open th'
one In your possession you win 1ns
certain written articles belonging I,
Richard Clayton--myself at your ser
vice. AS said articles are rather valu
able will, with your permission, coma
out to make an exchange of satcheli
tomorrow evening. You Will be homl
at that timer"
Bess laughed softly as she caugh
the eagerness Of the question.
Tomorrow evening" she agreed
and the JOY OF her voice sang over tn
wire.
The spsrfsot ssausy.s