Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1919-02-20
FATE INTERVIEWS
BY JACK LAYTON.

handsome masculine face across the
aisle. Not that Bess was an impress
sionable 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.
ton or being observed forced her To
look up again. The man was regard
Ing her wonderlngly, as though trying
90 place her among past acQuaint-
ances.
mo self-respecting young woman
may pick up travelling companion"
she severely reminded herself. The
man across the aisle had sighed wear
lily his dark eyes seemed 10 be plead
Ing the question. Bess turned 10 the
cor window impatlently. Back there In
town some mutual friend had but to
humble In Introduction two names
and one Is In 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 unoccupled
table. Seating herself. she studied the
menu. AS she hesltated over its con-
tents the subservIent waiter pushed
forth the remaining chair.
"Sit heah, subj" she heard him say
Ing. and glanced up to find her VISA
Wis the man who had been sitting
across the car aisle.
81 beg your pardon" he began, as
though apology were necessary for his
intrusion.
Silently Bess nodded then, at the
mans evident dlffidence, she flashed "A
smile.
You have IA perfect right 10 the
only vacant chair" she said. After
that silence seemed foolish formal
ity. The man was Il journalist, she
learned. and his conversation proved
TO be as interesting as his appearance
had promised. After the meal, II
seemed but natural sequence that
he should transfer his suitcase TO Bees
sizes side of the car and continue the
conversation there.
The hours now flew 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.
1T is strange" he said. promptly
answering her thought, yet | could
"A
fore"
She flushed at his implied meaning
I'VE must meet again. he added.
impulsively.
BeSs did not answer He was leav-
ing the car at Buffalo, so he told. her.
and arose rs though reluctant draw
Ing on his greatcOat. Her own desti-
nation. II few miles farther ON. had not
been mentioned.
As the car slowed into the station
she realized, half-angrily, nlat she was
10th 10 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 20" he said tensely, with
out hope OF seeing you again. Your
name. at least, you Will tell me that
and some time"
But Bess was resOlute. Tomorrow
perhaps. he would laugh al the Incl
dent Tomorrow she would forget all
about II.
"Good-by," she said. smiling. This
Is the end OF short but pleasant &C
quaintance.
The car was emptylng. The mar
reached desperately for his valise. II
cannot be the end" he answered firm
ly. Fate will Intervene"
Would III Bess was very doubtful
AS she caught IA last glimpse @! al
broad-shoudered figure before tn
train whisked her on In the darkness
And II fate refused TO be obligint
would she forget the last few hour
az easily as she had prophesiedI
Long she sat before the fire In he
room that night From the flames
mnn's dark eyes seemed 10 be r.
preaching her, and the vision woul
not be banished Where was he now
And would he try to find herr But IN
none was not to be entertained. Tn
was prosaic world, where peop
went sensibly about their duties. Da
after day she would go back and fort
teaching In the schOolhOuse on the hi
and nothing beautiful or unusu
would ever happen. Then sudden
Bess sat up listening. Some one WI
tti.,,. sha WAS wanted-"I ong-dI
lance on the phone.
"How do you dor" came dee
weIl-remembered voice. This Is yo
travelling companion of an hour or ~
ago Fate has interviewed. ! opened
as I supposed-my suitcase, few m
ments ago and found n pink SILK
mono, | think you call 1t. and i
ter. The letter being addressed
Miss Bessie Roberts j have lost
time In calling up that young lady
identify what believe to be her PR
erty. The two suitcases must ha
been identical. so mine was pard'
able mistake. IL you Will open
one I'm your possession you VIII 4
certain written articles belonging
Richard Clayton-pyself at your $
vice. As said articles are rather va
able | will, with your permission, co
out 90 make an exchange Of satch
tomorrow evening. You will be no
at that timer
Bess laughed softly az she eau
the eagerness of the question.
tomorrow evening" she agr'