The Holly chieftain., 1921-12-08
PART llI-continued.

when with dragging steps he came out
OF the station. He looked hazily up
and down the street, where the corner
lamps and shop-windows now were
lighted and, after dreary hesitation,
he went In search of a pawn-shop, and
found one. The old man who operated
1t must have been philanthropist, for
Noble was SO fortunate as to secure a
loan Of nine dollars upon his watch.
Surprised at this, he returned to the
station, and went back to the same old
bench.
A little after six o'clock a Changing
and commotion In the train-shed out
side, attending the arrival OF a.
Through express" stirred him from
his torpor. He walked heavily across
the room to the same ticket-wind0w
he had blocked before, but there was
no queue attached to 1t now. He
rested his elbow on the apron and his
chin upon his hand, and for some mo-
ments the clerk waited until he should
state his wishes. This was a new
clerk, who had just relieved the other.
"Well! Welt" he said at last
"Tll take 1t now," Noble responded,
gently.
"What'll you take now?"
'.That ticket"
.'What ticket?"
1.-THE same one / wanted before"
Noble sighed.
The clerk gave him a piercing look,
glanced ont of the window and saw
that there were no other clients. then
went to a desk at the farther end Of
his compartment, and took up some
clerical work he had in hand.
Noble leaned upon the apron Of the
window, waiting; and if he thought
anything, he thought the man was
serving him.
The high, resonant room became
clamorous with voices and with the
mingling echoes Of footsteps on the.
tiled floor, as passengers from the ex-
press hurried to the street, or more
gaily struggled through, shouting to
friends who came to greet them; and
among these moving groups there
walked youthful fine lady noticeably
enliyening to. the dullest eye. She was
preceded by brisk porter who car
riad two travelling bags of rich sort,
as well as sack of implements for
the game of golf; and she was warm
in dark furs, against which the vasty
clump Of vioiets she wore showed
dewy gleamings of blue.
s At sight Of Noble Dill, more than
pensive at the ticket-window, she hesi-
tated, then stopped and observed him.
Here was a coincidence, In mild
way, for, as it happened, she was her.
self the most observed person In all
that place. She was veiled In two
wells. but. she had been seen in the
train without these, and some Of her
fell0w-travelers, though strangers to
her, were walking near her in a hypo-
critical way, hoping still not to lose
sight of her, even yelled. And although
the shroudings permitted the most
meager information Of her features,
what they did reveal was harmfully
piquant; moreover, there was a sweet
ness to the figure, a disturbing grace;
and nothing disguises such an air Of
wearing that many yiolets as daily
perquisite and matter Of course.
1t was Julia's fortune Though her
father had other ideas concerning the
matter) to be the possessor Of per-
sonality distinctly pleasing to the
masculine eye, and Of this the fair
Julia was probably aware In any
event she was quite conscious OF the
stir which hep passage through the
throng created.
So the coincidence came about that
this observed lady stopped and OBJ
served Noble, who In return observed
her not at all. being but semiconscious.
"Noble!" she said.
He stared at her. His elbow sagged
away from the window; the whole
person Of Noble Dill seemed near col
lapse. He shook, and had no voice.
Il just this minute got off the
train," Julia said. Are you going
away sOmewhere?"
mo- he whispered; then obtained
command of huskiness somewhat
greater in volume am just standing
here"
II told the porter to get me taxi
cab" she said. ''If you're going home
for dinner I'll drop you at your house" I"
Il Pm II His articulation
encountered unsurmountable difficult
ties, but Julia had been with him
through many such trials aforetime.
She said briskly. I'm awfully hungry
and l want to get home. Come on--if
you like"
He walked waveringly at her side
through the station. and followed her
into the dim interior Of the cab, which
became fragrant of violets-an ema-
nation Mt once ineffable and poisonous.
"I'm SO, glad happened to run
across you," she said, as they began
| to vibrate tremulously in unison with
the fierce little engine that drove them,
~ want to hear all the news. Nobody
knows I'm home. didn't write or