The Denver Jewish news., 1919-07-16

aged. shabbily dressed, unGsr-sized
Jew, had suddenly jumped out Of his
seat and rushed to the door. His wife,
= large, stupid-lboking woman, first
picked up q bundle from the floor, and
followed him. He had evidently not
been able to make himself clear to the
conductor, and the man and his wife
returned into the car. The man spoke
to another passenger, but with no
greater success. Excited about his mis-
take and embarrassed by the attention
which he was attracting--the giggies
and sniggers of those always ready
to enjoy the discomfort of foreigners
were audible-he tugged at his beard
repeatedly. He turned to his wife and
spoke to her in their own Language.
Fut she, too, troubled by the rudeness
about her, only shrugged her shoulders
and strove to hide her anxiety under
Il foolish, apologetic smile. Again the
man looked about for some one to help
him.
1t was then that Harriet rose. some
thing throbbed within her: an unseen
force impelled her forward to this
Jew in distress. Before she was aware
she stood beside him. The man, rec
ognizing in her one Of his race, turned
TO her with a gleam of hope i'll his
eyes.
Where do you want to go?" asked
Harriet.
>But the man did not understand, and
talked rapidly to her in strange ton
que, of which the only word familiar
20 her was station She repeated
her question, but without avail.
1t finally dawned upon her that she.
loo, was unable to give this man any
assistance. A horrible reprOach ross
in her heart. Here was man of her
own race in trouble and she could hetp
him no more than the rudest loafer
who enjoyed the performance. The
mingled despair and bitterness in his
face as he turned away from her hurt
her cruelty.
curve at Twenty-third street. The
sudden change in direction sent all
three staggering for support. Harriet
was the first to steady herself. She
saw as thru a maze the convulsive con-
tortiOns of the pair to regain their
equilibrium. in the effort for which
the mans hat tumbled off his head
and the woman dropped her bundle.
The sense of humor which prompts
Us to smile at this daily occurrence Is
not characterized by fine discrimina'
ton, and the laughter which had been
partly suppressed during this scene
now broke forth In an outburst of un-
restrained merriment. To Harriet
this was like a howl Of inocking scorn
for, herself, and as If for protection
from u blow. she shrank closer to her
companion. Fate willed it that there.
too she should see d smile. Overcome
l.: the conflict of feelings within her,
Harriet sank into her seat and covered
ler face with her hands.
On returning home from the little
trip which had turned out SO dis
astrously. Mr. Burdett broke the coll-
strained silence by asking if he might
see her again that evening. There was
Something he wished particularly to
say.
Harriet begged to be excused. as she
was not feeling we'll. He suggested the
next day, then reminded himself.
II forgot the party tomorrow" he
said.
Her faint smile was little bitter
Lut she did not undeceive him.
Sunday, then?"
She broke out passionately.
"No No. Not Sunday, Tuesday or
Wednesday. Yes, Wednesday 1 shall
~ at home them
Surprised and pained, Mr.. Burdett
could not but acquiesce, and with a
handclasp they parted.
The house was still. No one was ut
home, and the servants had not yet
lit the lamps. Harriet crept along
the dark halls and up the stairs to
her own room. In the darkness she
eroped for chair and, dressed as she
was. sank into it,
The events of the afternoon repass-
ed before her vision-her participation
in them and. stranger still, their pei
clliar effect upon her. Why should a
scene she had probably witnessed be
fore with unconcern affect her so
strongly today? Why this unaccount-
able revulsion OF feeling