Greenbrier independent. [volume] (Lewisburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1980, 1919-03-28
The Runaway
Trunk
By JACK LAYTON



ThOSe trainmen are a lot of story
telling conspiratOrs." she said. "Now,
why did they say yesterday that my
trunk was on its way here. while to-
day they know nothing about 1t? 1
don't care SO much for the loss Of my
clothing as l do for the fate of the
|. eggs which grandma insisted upon
packing in for you. can manage with
your borrowed things. Aunt Stacia, but
how long Will five dozen, eggs-and ut
such prohibitory price-last in a
travelling trunk2
Nearly three weeks since came to
the city and my trunk still listed
among the 'c0ngeSted freight Clover
ton may be slow, Aunt Stacia. but
tell you we would not put up with such
things"
Aunt Stacia turned her mild eyes
upon her exasperated niece.
my dear" she replied, IL suppose
the men are doing their best, and it is
not as though you were running about
10 places where you would need pretty
dresses. My shirtwaists will do very
well Mt home. with just you and me-"
But this fact did not seem to console
the girl from the village. In Aunt
Stacin's neat guest chamber. Rhoda
1iattened her pretty nose against the
window pane as she stared down the
brilliantly lighted street.
1t was for occasions such as these
that Rhoda had labored over the light
blue Silk, now lying crumpled beneath
five dozen eggs In trunk which had
mysteriousiy run away. Even II the
blue dress were here. Rhoda reflected,
there would be no chance to wear it.
Aunt Stacia did not indulge in frivoll-
ties; and Aunt Stacia's acquaintance
ship with young men seemed limited
to those whOfdelivered her bundles.
mo use" sighed Rhoda. mo peep
into merry city life for me. AS well be
resigned to- my fate"
Rhodn decided to Ego after" her
trunk the next morning.
1t was after hasty luncheon in the
station fiat Rhoda approached the
glass door of an Office which looked rs
though its occupant might be endowed
with capability.
The occupant Immediately arose
from his desk, awaiting in evident sur
prise her errnnd.
You see" she naively explained, Il
do not mind about my dresses now,
not even the blue silk. I shall not be
able to get to the thcnter or any of
those lovely places the magazines tell
about. But Aunt Stacia does want
those eggs. YOU understand, before"
1nInrcfon1 r.Fo
charming man, and his eyes twinkled.
After II third percmptory Inquiry OF
some Jerry" ut the other end of the
wire he turned again to Rhoda.
Why he asked whimscally. ARE
YOU not going to be able to visit the
lovely theaters and restaurants as YOU
had planned7'
Aunt Stacia doesn't care to CO."
Rhoda answered.
But I should think" gently persist
cd the man-Rhoda liked his smile
that there would be any number of
Aunt Stacia's masculine friends ready
and eager To act the part of escort"
Rhodn sighed. "Aunt does not seem
To have any masculine friends" she
dOIefully replied.
Suddenly the office man frowned.
why he asked severely, did your
aunt. knowing you to be unacquainted
with this section of the city. allow you
TO go searching around freight yards
alonc?"
''Slic did not allow me-" corrccte d'
Rhodn. Il Just came"
Look here" the man announced
presently, II think we've located that
trunk III last i.ut to facilitate mat
trrS I'm going 10 ride around and at
tend to it myself Would you" he
hesitated-'Iikc to 60 with me and
identify your pr"pcrty?"
"Of course I'll 90" Rhoda agreed.
! lie was very kind" she told her
self. ns they flew along in his car. and
often RhOda's clear eyes sought the
snan's, gratefully. When she returned
py the circuitDus route of the street
cars TO Aunt Stacia's home the trunk
WINS there before her. And when, af-
ter the evening meal, she went to an
Swer The telephone. 1t was with
strange cxhi,arnting sense Of coming
Joy.
-hiSS i.h""" tIOWH VI CIOVertOn {! -
called deep voice. "Thls Is Mr..
Hammond OF the Z. N. & Y. Has
your trunk safely arrived?"
Yes. thanks to you" she told him.
! ~ wonder" continued the man,
pausing in strange dIffdence. Tf you
will ask Aunt Stacla If may come out
this evening. and-hnve u little ONE
LOT " no ended IauobiupIy
! Certainly not Rhoda replied.
WHY don't even know YOU"
every WELL" the man said sorrow
fully. "Siucc this afternoon I have
dared to looE forward to giving you
that desired peep into the theaters.
xr.al.ll LnI.l Lnn1, La mo s,.iz.ilouo