davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1919-07-07

worth." John Ramsay announced, and as Mr. Paul Ellsworth, known every where in elite society, offered his hand in response to Evelyn's little plump one. John Ramsay added: Miss Ca mile Is one of my fellow members in the Press Club. you know, and we are bound on the same mission and only realized this morning that we were to be war-news rivals" he finished smil- ingly.
 Do ten mo some of your newspaper experiences" coaxed the handsome MT. Ellsworth, and because Evelyn had had some real adventures in her chosen profession she was only too glad of the opportunity to relate them.
 The conversation seemed to be con- fined to Evelyn and MT. Ellsworth. thought John to himself after an hour or so, and in order to let the newly acquainted couple know that he felt "out of it." John suggested going be- low for a smoke.
 Be back later," he called to them when he had walked few feet, but his promise was unheeded, for Evelyn and Paul Ellsworth were very much interested in. each other
The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1919-07-07

The only cool, calm and collected man aboard outside the officials was John Ramsay.
 With cheering words he assured the women there was no danger.
 The life boats were filled, women first, as the first mate commanded; i; then the life preservers were handed to the remaining women on the deck. Evelyn was nowhere to be found on the deck. She must already have been taken in one of the 1ifeboats. John thought to himself.
 AS he turned to look through the crowd behind him he spied a figure disappearing in the doorway. John left his post at the 1ifeboats and hast ened after the figure. He followed Paul Ellsworth down below, deck by deck. until he came to the bottom. A grim picture formed in Johns mind as back into the steerage he followed him.
 It was true! So true that all the instinct of manhood came surging to Johns c1enched hands as he saw Paul snatch a life preserver from a wom- ans arms.
 He had just taken 1t from her and
The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1919-07-07
By Abner Anthony

the street, and he realized in flash that she knew.
 "So!" hissed Giulia. She broke into torrent of invective, and Ciotto quailed under it. Then she turned on Nan.
 Did you think with your big eyes and white face you could make him my sainted sisters memory that he would never marry any one!"
 Ciotto's courage deserted him. 0i- ulia had ruled him with rod of iron for years. If he could only have mar ried Nan before Giulia's return!
 "Of course, l don't want to marry her. Who told you such lie. Gi- ulia?" he said indignantly.
 Nan leaned weakly against the rail- ing. Every fibre of her being cried out against the insult. He had want ed to marry her, but he was afraid of that horrible old woman. And now every one would believe the lie! She dared not raise her eyes, and so she had not seen Grayson approach. She did not know he was there until he spoke.
 "Ciotto would never have dared to think of marrying Miss Syms. It would be a repetition of Beauty and the Beast! And don't let Miss Syms' future concern you. She'd already made up her mind to leave here to- night. hadn't you, Nan?" He had mounted the three steps leading to the musicians gallery and now he reach ed out his hand for the violin case.
 A great content stole over Mans heart. She raised her eyes and saw that he was pale and his dark eyes were glowing ominously. It was hard for him to hold himself in check and yet Ciotto would make a miserable antagonist.
 She did not know what disposition he would make of her future, but she felt that she could trust him.
 Come" she said, slipping her hand within his arm. And so they went out into the night together.
The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1919-07-07

For days after Evelyn seemed to for get that there ever existed such a per son as John Ramsay.
 Confidently, John was terribly in love with Evelyn, and her lack of in terest in him seemed to be wrench ing h1s heart of all it's natural glow.
 Then suddenly one afternoon the old but ever true law of compensation arose to its zenith for John.
 Luncheon had just been served and the guests were idling about, some coming up the companiouway from the dining salon and others at their cus- tomary places in the steamer chairs on deck.
 Evelyn was just coming along the deck with Paul Ellsworth. She stopped, the first time in many days. and the three began a merry chat as merry as John could possibly make himself be.
 wonder who invented this subma- rine scare they tell us about" Paul Ellsworth remarked as he struck a match and held it to his cigar.
 Never can tell," John answered. "They are about somewhere and"
 Just then like . shot from . pistol a
The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1919-07-07
By Elsie End;cott

shut the door, flung herself on the bed and covered her head with a pillow. Her mothers righteous wrath was ap- palling. Sometimes even the neigh bors heard it. After while she un- covered her head. There was quiet below. Now and then she heard her fathers voice with new note in 1t, and a feeble murmur that might have been her mothers. She sat up on the bed palpitating. What had happened? |? She was terrified. Had her mother thrown something, perhaps, and struck her father? Her dear, patient old fa- ther! She must see
 Fairly tumbling down the long flight of carpeted stairs she reached the sitting room door. Her mother sat on the couch, little less upright than usual, looking down her nose. Her father stood beside her, very flushed. but with all the mildness of his face suddenly congealed into de termination. He saw Helen and beck oned.
 Come here. daughter" AS she slid toward him he passed his arm about her and drew her nearer. Your mother and I've been having a little talk" he said. in his slow. gentle voice. "We've-we've come to an un-
The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1919-07-07
What Made Him Assert Him elf

horror. She left the room, holding the bottle at arms length, her nose turn ed the other way.
 Helen buried her face in the folds of gingham. Sobs and giggles came on the same breath. Poor father, "If only he dared assert himself, she thought. "If only I dare! I wonder what she'd do if we did. fear to contemplate it. But it's terrible to live like this. There's no peace in this house day or night"
 She reached into the pocket of her blue serge dress and took out a fold ed note which had come to her under cover of her father. Dear Helen," it said. I'm coming home'in a few days, and I want to see you. I'd like to have this thing settled. They've raised my wages and I can marry easy as not. And I want you. You know that. WILLARD"
 The sobs ceased and the smiles came. She kissed the letter passion 'ately. At that instant hand from be- hind grasped her shoulder and the let ter was snatched away. With a cry she looked up into her mothers accus- ing face.
 I've been watching you. tco. young
The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1919-07-07
An Intervention of Fate

her thanks. The ovation frightened her. but Cfotto rushed up and shouted, Encore. encore!" and she played again.
 Archer Grayson listened to a loQua- cious walters tale of how good for tune had come to Ciotto's, but Toma- go could tell him little of the violinist. she played well though she was such a little mouse of thing and looked frightened to death.
 It was while the soprano was war bling Rose. Here Is My Heart" that Nan discovered him. She was sitting back, half screened by the artificial foliage, and her curious eyes were wandering over the gayly-dressed au- dience when they finally met Gray sons stare. Her recognition was not as quick as his. His face puzzled her. and then in a flash she also recalled the incident. Her heart came up in her throat but he had seen that she was remembering and he dared to smile. Involuntarily her own lips curled upward and she smiled back at him. It was a wonderful evening! She played to an enthusiastic audience and she found the hero of her only romance. She wondered what he was doing at Ciotto's. Most of the men were in evening dress, but he was wearing a rough suit of tweeds and shirt with soft color.
 The next night he brought her some roses and sent them up to her by the boy at the door. She thanked him with her eyes and she pinned them on the front of her white dress, and Gray son was satisfied.
 Ciotto saw the flowers and the young man in rough tweeds, and he scowled. But he had to proceed wari- ly. for at the cashiers desk sat Giu- lia, his deceased wife's sister, and he had only been able to avoid matri- mony with her by vowing that he could not bear to put anyone in his adored Marina's place.
 Nan awoke a late passion in his
The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1919-07-07

across the room "Where's she?" he asked
 Helen swung round and looked at him. He was a stout, loosely put to- gether man, in large, untidy clothes. He had a mild, sweet face and eyes that would have been humorous if they were not so anxious
 "Where?" he asked again, putting a hand behind the best of his deaf ears. Helen motioned toward the kitchen. Then she ran to him, put her lips to his ear, and told him what had hap pened He nodded with an occasional "Um.'
 "She did, eh? Pshaw!" he said. He flumbled in his pocket. Here's some thing for ye. Willard's here and be wrote this in my office. I told him warnt no chance of his seeing you right off, so he better send you a line"
 She had just time to slip her treas ure into the neck of her dress as her mother looked into the room.
 Hal" You've come, have your" she said, glaring at her husband: "I was on the lookout for you. I've got something to say to you. Fletcher Will cox"
 Helen fled. In her own room she
The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1919-07-07

derstanding. She-we've been labor- ing under a mistake for a good while. It's mans place to be the head of his house and I've decided to relieve your mother of that responsibility in the future. She means well, but she's got her notions of right and wrong a little mixed. When the doctor recom- mends me to take a little whisky and quinine before meals I'm going to take it. And when you set your heart on marrying nice, clean, hard working young fellow like Willard Rudd you're going to have him. You can just step to the phone and invite him over this evening. Your mother and won't be in your way any. And while you're about it you can order a dozen rolls from the bakery. I'm sorter hungry tonight for hot rol1s."
 As Helen stared in amazement he stopped over and laid his hand on his wife's shoulder. Come, now, Sarah, act pretty and we'll say no, more about it You're sensible woman-sens- lbler than l be. for had no business to let you go on like this long as I have. By George, I didn't care for myself. but when it came to Helen his jaw set-"I had. to break boss rule or bust" he ended simply.
The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1919-07-07

arm and rushed her at breathless speed up the companionway to the top deck.
 Whats wrong?" Queried John per- plexed.
 Nothing wrong" thank God" tho captain answered. "It was only a United States submarine coming up to say how dye do, but fhe word alone spreads terror and the passengers got to the hfeboats without my orders"
 Late that afternoon, as the sun dozed on the horizon before going to rest, John and Evelyn were sitting to- gether on deck in a secluded little spot.
 Paul Ellsworth walked past, his head hung low. They ignored him en- tirely.
 "John," Evelyn breathed few mo- ments later. T never knew what white brick idealists were made of
 "Nor how yellow those bricks turn under the shadow of gold" he answer ed cleverly, but the look that flashed from one to the other was like searchlight into each others soul-as Evelyn remarked a few weeks later when she was Mrs. John Ramsay,
The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1919-07-07

ble place for it?
 Helen" began Mrs. Wilcox, omi- nously.
 Helen did not speak. It was the box of letters-those. innocent little notes which Willard Rudd had sent her fron time to time and which her father had contrived to get into her keepin 7 without her mothers knowledge. In all things Helen and her father were allies, aud he approved of Willard as much as her mother disapproved. Not that her mother had any reason for her disapproval except the fact
 Did you hear me speak to you HelenT demanded Mrs. Wilcox stern ly.
 ''Yes. mother. What is ft?''
 Mrs. Wilcox brought her hand out of her apron with jerk. In 1t was a brown pint bottle. the very contour of which was condemnatory, to say nothing of an odor which fingered about it Look at that!" she said. What do you think of your father now?"
 Relief followed so fast upon fea- that Helen smiled.
 "Do you dare to laugh at thing like thatr' went on Mrs. Wilcox in
The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1919-07-07

cry rang out down the deck.
 Submarine, submarine sighted, 1t is over there, see" shouted one man. breathlessly. Chairs we're vacat- ed with lightning speed. The people were frightened, drawn looks on their faces became frantic with fear. Wom- en and men were scurrying hither and tbither, trying all at once to get be- low to their staterooms for their va1u- ebles.
 Paul Ellsworth of all the men was most excited
 Wait" John Ramsay said in his de- cisive. commanding tone.
 Wait nothing" returned Paul tremblingly. I've got too much at stake to take any chance with my life" he added, as he rushed into the cabin.
 John was about to lead Evelyn up to the top deck, where the lifeboats were being prepared. when she scampered away from him and out of sight like shot.
 The ship was surely in distress. Ev- err passenger aboard knew within a t.w minutes there was danger. and their animal instinct was asserting itself.
The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1919-07-07

~HE great steamer swiftly blow
 her way through the treach-
 ero1s waters. but it was in Hhe early days of tho war when people looked on the U-boats as more of an Illusion than a reality.
 Evelyn Camille. one O. tho passen- xers. felt that she was Indeed for tunate, for had she not been selected for . difficult. task and at that par ticulnr moment was she not looking her best.
 How fortuna,. that I should look my best just now" Evelyn mused to herself as sho promenaded the deck with John Ramsay. whom she had known in New York.
 As they neared the end of the steam CT chair line running along the side of the cabin Evelyn threw herself care lcssiy into enc and John took his place next to her.
 Her companion to the left looked up with . merry twinkle in his eye, and as his gass fxed itself for more than fne ordinary moment on Evelyn's rosy 1acs John Ramsay hastened to intro Auce them.
 ~This is Miss Camille. Mir. Ells-
The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1919-07-07

~ OUNDS came floating down from the attic. ominous sounds
 they seemed to Helen Wilcox as she sat stitching upon the sewing Evidently things were un- dergoing a general overhauling. "She's been rummaging up there ever since dinner" the girl thought. 'I wonder what she's up to-" She sighed and bent again over the gingham apron she was making. Presently she stopped the machine and glanced up. Her mother had entered the room.
 Mrs. Wilcox was e short woman, built exactly like a pyramid. She wore . dark f'll skirt. .wbite waist. a gray knit jacket and aa apron Her dark hair was slicked of her high forehead into e damp wad on top of her head- She had piercing dark eyes
 which usually looked over a pair of eoyd bowed glasses. Her pr1m, pursed ID mouth was as sour as a pickled Dfum. She sat down upon the edge of . chair and looked at Helen over the glasses. She had something wound up an her apron. ths girl could see with . pans of apprehension. Had her mother found her little box of letters.
 which she had hidden away behind me woolen chest as the safest possi-
The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1919-07-07

1t gave her plenty of time for dreamE.
 In spite of the fact that it made hin. conspicuous. Grayson paused in front of the gallery to thank her for her rendition of "A Perfect Day." T wish I could stay longer" he added regret fully. but I've got to go back to work"
 "work?" Nan repeated. What kind Of work did one do at g o'clock7
 Yes. I'm helping to build the new subway" he explained.
 Nan called up vision of laborers in their overalls. There was always some one over them, boss. Was that Archer Grayson's occupation?
 She thought about him the rest of the evening. Ciotto also thought about him and the fear that he had a rival quickened his passion until he was all most ready to cast discretion to the winds, and defy Giulia.
 He had not failed to drop hints of the state of his feelings to Nan. He had made numerous references to dresses. jewelry, lessons from the best masters. all of which she might enjoy if she would only become his wife. What would happen when he put aside his reserve and came out boldly! She supposed she'd lose her place, and how could she face another winter without employment? She dared not hope for help from Grayson. They had known each other almost a year, but they had not spoken together more than oncee since their first meeting.
 But 1t seemed as if Grayson had suddenly determined to make up for lost time. The following night he came in early. Nan had just arrived and she was alone in the gallery, and they had almost fifteen minutes to- gether. She told him a good deal in that time, enough to make his heart very tendef toward her. He had a couple of hours off every afternoon, and he wondered what she did with herself from three until five. Did she ever go to the Metropolitan? She said yes a little guiltily. and the next aft
The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1919-07-07

A TAN grasped her bow firmly,
 IN closed her eyes 30 that she
 might not see the faces peertng up at her, and broke into the first notes of the prelude. An apprecia- tive hush settled over her audience. It was not often one heard such music at Ciotto's. Nan was an artist, as her fla ther had been, and only his premature death had prevented her from taking her rightful position in the musical world. But at eighteen one must eat, and the musical profession is over-- crowded; so a year after her fathers death. Nan was rather glad of her first engagement even though 1t was to play during the dinner hour at an Italian restaurant.
 The young man pausing in the doorway wondered what had come over Ciotto's. His eyes took in the freshly painted ceiling. the walls tables; and then as his astonishment grew. they lifted to the musicians gall lery and then he stood quite still, gaz- ing at Nan with his soul in his eyes.
 He recognized her immediately. A year before. when he had first start cd his work on the new subway, there had been an accident. He had been among the first of the rescuing squad b appear on the scene of the cave-in. and he had carried Nan in his arms to the street above. He had never for gotten the little white face lying against his shoulder. the shadowy vio- let eyes. nor the tremendous voice that had thanked him. She had not been hurt and she had gone of presently and he had not seen her again. And now to And her. playing the violin at Ciotto'si
 He wasn't capable of judging how we'll she played. and he was drowning slightly as he made his way down the room. Fortunately he was able to get . table that commanded a view of the gallery. and he joined in the applause which rose deafeningly as she finished.
 Mans face was white as she bowed
The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1919-07-07

ernoon she met him there, and they Fingered in the art gallery until 1t was so late that she was the last perform CT to arrive at Ciotto's, instead of the first.
 Ciotto reproved her. but she scarce ly heard him. He was seethins with jealousy. Fate had been kind to him. Giulia had been called to Brooklyn to stay with a sick aunt; she would be gone at least three days, If he could only marry 1eetle Nan" during her absence, he could steal a march on her, but he would have to hurry mat ters. And tonight. when he had planned to proposee the girl came in late with flushed cheeks and sparkling eyes, and the hated young man in tweeds was in his usual corner, and they smiled at each other.
 That night when Nan was putting up her music preparatory to leaving. Cfotto sent for her. Most of the diners had gone. and the proprietor was sit ting at a little able in a corner.
 "I havk ordered some supper. Sit down. I want to talk to you. Try tIis cocktail; it is a Ciotto cocktail" Re spoke quickly. He had only a slight trace of accent, noticeable when he was excited.
 Mans heart sank. She raised the cocktail to her lips but barely tasted the mixture. Then she faced him gravely.
 What did you wish to say to me, MT. Ciotto?" she asked
 He began with a preamble. He was a lonely old man. his children had gone out into the world to make places for themselves; his sister-in- law would go back to Italy (this was what he hoped to force her to dol, and he needed a woman in his home A little white rosebud of a girl with violet eyes and soft white hands, some one he could love and be good to.
 Nan came to herself with a start For moment she let her mind dwell on what it would mean if she accept ed him. An end to her financial wor-
The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1919-07-07

ries, for he was making plenty of money, and the possibility of a career. She was sure he would allow her to go on with her music. But she put that temptation aside. Success was worth striving for, worth paying for, but the price he offered was too high.
 Nevertheless, 1t would not do to re- fuse him too abruptly, and she began to play for time. He had taken her by surprise-she had not thought of marriage-and then she blushed.
 Conscious of all he had to offer. however. he took courage from her blush. Giulia was to be away three toomorrow to make up her mind.
 She managed to beg for another day of grace. but the third night Ciot- to demanded his answer. Giulia might return and he wanted matters settled before she could interfere.
 It was Sunday night. The place was crowded, but Nan played listless- 1y.
 The table d'hote was for dinner only, and about 10 o'clock most of the patrons had left. There were only two tables occupied, and Nan with the other performers began to put away her music. A messenger brought her word that Ciotto wished her to remain. He was in the kitchen, but he would be with her presently. Nan thought of flight but realized 1t would do no good. It would be better to have it over with. She was putting her violin in the case when a man came down the aisle. It was Grayson and he was in evening dress.
 'I couldn't get here before" he said, "but i Je stopped in to take you home"
 Nan's heart frightened. She was no longer afraid of the interview with Ctotto. She explained that she had to see the proprietor, but it would only take few minutes.
 Ciotto trotted up from the kitchen. He beckoned imperiously to Nan, and then he paused. Giulia swept in from