Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1921-01-22
THE DAILY NOVELETTE,
Such a Little Hiqhbro,c
BY j. STUART LANE

Eric Freeman eyed his passengers
speculatively that first morning on his
new suburban run. How many of them
were regulars with whom. In the course
Of time. he would strike up friendly
acquaintance? How many werc
grouches? Spoilers? Any possibilities
among the last group worried him not at
all for he was instinctively honest, but
ne regarded them all with healthy
contempt as professional snitchers.
on the second run. almost at the end
OF tho line. there got on a girl carrying
leather music bag with a roll Of mu-
sic under her arm. Very easy to look
Npon. he regarded her furtively for some
blocks. Mentally. he decided she was a
peg or two above him. IN u manner Of
speaking. Certainly. he numbered no
music teachers among his acquaintances
Now It chanced that very shortly a
friend of Eric's boarded the car, where
upon Eric. not above addressing the girl
over his friends shoulder. opened fire.
Lo, Jack'" he greeted his friend.
Wen. boy, guess this is about the last
place YOU expected to see ne Had a
little trouble with the governor. NO
more college for me, he says, not right
on anyhow Got to show what's In me,
nrSS Little lark with the boys. you
know and me made the goat"
lie needn't have winked SO lmpprCent-
IDLY Friend Jack had done the same
sort Of thing too often not 10 he hep to
tTtC.s little game Of boosting his stock
YOU don't say. exclaimed that in
di.on diyiauai sHnmpathStteany; Had to hand
"Er--yes--" said Eric quickly. then
thought best to drop the subject.
IN the days which followed the girl
win the music bag grew to be steady
patron or Eric's car Little ny little,
thcy grew TO pass the time Of day with
one another, TO comment on the weather
and the high cost of living. Then early
one morning, Eric. somehow or other. he
never Knew whether it was hy sheer in
Splrauon or unusual courage on his part,
screwed himsel up to the point of want
ing to know if she ever went for a walk
Of Sunday afternoon
10 his delight she said she did. and
before Eric could believe his good for
tune. ne was her promised escort for the
tCIlowms sunday. During his snare
hours OF the next few days Eric made
several trips 10 the public library. issu.
nv forth each time with q new volume
under his arm. And every volume dealt
with music in one form or another, from
the art Of arpeggtos 10 the biographies
O. band masters
She won't ftnd out first Off what a
duh am i'll her line" he promised him
self with assurance.
Now, AS a rule. Eric had only the dav
run. but Thursday evening a Chanrs
came his way 10 do overtime on an ex-
ira car thrown in for the theatre crowds
To his utter surprise, his music girl
came aboard down town and when the
end Of the run was nearly reached she
was still aboard. Not until the car had
begun to empty. however. dd Eric gel
his chance to talk 10 her, =
Vending his way down the aisle he
bent toward her and was Just on the
point of replying to her information that
she was spending the night with an aunt
who lived out that way when he felt a
cod ring pressed against his neck and
q hOarse voice in his ear Informed him