The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1919-04-17

what the girl was doing, and now he
was watching her with an almost ave.
struck iuterest-her lovely, sympathnt
ic face as she talked earnestly to the
little worker in blue, apparently con
scious that her sudden impulse h1l at
first astounded and then knit togethr'
i'll kindly sympathy an entire car nj
strangers.
by love! that was a great thins 10
de-" said Tom enthusiastically. wleT
the tension OF an absorbing interest
had subSideo little.
Eyes, never say its equal replied
John. After moments hesitation lie
added: 81 should like to know that girl.
Do you SUPPOSE we could find out WHO
she is?"
I'VE can try" his friend. rap.iol
"but why do you wantsto know"
well l do,' answered John curtlv.
Tom glanced quizzically at him anil
smiled TO himself. This was another
phase Of John he was Just getting ac-
quainted with. When the car reached
the railway station where Join and
Tom were going to take trail lor
1o1l's suburban home, the two women
also left the car. They went stra ;sh.
to the ticket window. Tom took out
his Communication book and passed it
t. John.
"You follow them and l will join
you" he whispered, the spirit of mis-.
chief and adventure now possessing
him. Having bought their tickets the
women turned from the window and
hurried to the train. There in the
same car Tom found them all.
We'll, if this isn't luck" he ex-
claimed as soon as he was seated. And
then, with the air of boy bursting
with news, he said "They are going to
DE-"
Eyes. know it, Harding replied.
But as he vouched no information and
cid not seem inclined to talk, Tom took
refuge in bis paper and promptly for
got the whole affair until he was alb
ruptly called back by:
Tom, cannot tell you when thing
so impressed me as that did"-as if
there could be but one that"
"That?" he questioned, puzzled.
Then, "oh. thought you did not be-
lieve in that kind of charity-sympa-
lthetic and sentimental / think you call
it." he teasingly reminded him, remem
bering the crisp bill John had dropped
in the tambourlne.
"Oh, that is altogether different
John answered half defiantly.
Yes, different because pretty girl
| made this appeal, an old man the 9th.
err" laughter Tom. But, tell me, how
do you adjust your acts to theories?"
"Oh, theories. the dickens! What
are they ever compared to acts? And
that act this afternoon was a sponta-
neous expression Of the true Christ.
mas spirit from which springs the de-
sire to help, to bring some Joy 70 a lot
Of poor unfortunates, because It's
Christmas you know" he quoted soft
ly. ut was the real thing and every
body in the car felt it."
And having, as 1t were, justified his
position and interest, he looked over
at the unconscious subject Of their re.
marks. Truly she was good to look at,
though at present all he could see was
the wellcut profile and the glorious
copperish brown hair turning to dull
gold where the western sun had struck
1t and eyes that with her mood, he
knew varied from hazel to brown. A
veritable gem of girl. he thought, as
she began adjusting her furs. With an
intuitive feeling of understanding her,
he turned to Tom.
Don't mention the affair to anyone,
not even Mary, for it would not please
her. ] am sure" he added. as the train
pulled up at D..
The station was small and John had
finished greeting Mrs. Dangers. when
Billy Grants deep voice broke in: "Hel
10, Harding; glad to see you," as they
shook hands.
Grant, an old friend of both Harding
and Danvers, also lived in D.
Nov, / want you to meet our friends
for its cold and want to get home"
While Tom and John were bowling
in acknowledgment to MRS. North
and Miss North" their host chatted
about It's being "too bad they couldn't
have met at the other end of the line
as long as they happened to be on the
same train"
Nancy North threw quick glance
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