The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1922-09-01
A M E ETING
Chapter III


1t was the one decision Dora had
ever made against the open opposition
of her aunt, and the silent depression
of her father, which acted as strongly
as all the other influences to keep her
tied down.
She made ready to go-the making
being to pack her very few possessions
into a shabby old trunk and put a
nightdress and waist into a funny little
black bag that had been her mothers,
and old fashioned then.
She was to take an early morning
train to Albany, change to an express
and arrive in New York early in the
evening. Gloria had written it out so
she had no trouble.
Her father saw her off-the rest OF
the family being too busy to pay her
that parting courtesy. Gladys had de-
cided, since she was married woman,
that she should go in for bridge and
five hundred and afternoon parties,
rather than the guessing games and
the more childish amusements of for
mer days. A card party was to happen
that afternoon and Gladys was busy
spending the morning making refresh
ments for it. Gladys had no maid
Norris City, in fact, was quite out of
the way and most unsophisticated in
its outlook upon life.
Aunt Maude was to finish up" early
and go over and help. Uncle Peter
was out at the farm part of the time
so it was left TO Jim to see her to the
station.
And Jim was the last thing she saw
of the town as the train pulled out.
Or rather, the last one.
A quiet voice behind her said,
Hello, Dora and she turned with a
start at the sound. 1t was voice
that was going through her mind and
her heart almost every waking hour.
Morton stood by the seat-in fact,
quite casually, sat down. He handed
her large white package.
Chocolates, he explained awk-
wardly "Send-off, you know. Sorry
you're going-I mean I'm glad
"Oh, thank you. I mean, are you?''
was as intelligent an answer as Dora
could make.
I'm going down-just to the next
station, got business there" Morton
felt his presence needed explanation.
Nice we can both be on the same
train| mean, it gives me a chance
to say goodbye"
Dora was not stupid In spite of
her inhibitions, her feeling of inferior
ity to everyone, her great constraint
with Morton-she knew from his voice
and his manner that he had no bust
ness in the next town, and was doing
this to say goodbye to her. 1t was his
one way of showing her he was sorry
for everything that had passed.
The next town was a village OF
80 minutes down the line. He wanted
to know whether she knew how tc
change at Albany, she showed him the
letter of direction. He explained in
greater detail, and then there was q
sudden silence between them. When
he went over this line before, and
changed at this point, he was on his
honeymoon with Gladys.
He shook hands goodbye. scarcely
touching her fingers. She watched him
from the Misunderstanding out of the
village and heading down the road
towards Norris City again.
But she understood the awkward at
tention. Morton knew he had hurt hel
and was sorry-and generously glaC
she was going to happier surround
ings. 1t made her feel sad, yet tina
sort of sadness was rather precious.
The chocolates were all she had tt
eat that day, for she had not the cour
age to go into the restaurants near tn
station in Albany. She sat in the wait
ing room and read until her trail
came. Then, half in terror for fea
she had gotten on the wrong one
there were so many-she huddled u
by the window to get her first glimps
of the river.
The Hudson fascinated her so sh
forgot TO be frightened. But whe
the train reached the station in NeV
York, and everybody rose as one pei
son and began scramblng towards tn
door, she was weak from nervous e.
element and terror.
Suppose Gloria forgot to meet her
Suppose frankie were i'll so sh
could not come!
She could see nothing at the pla
form except people hurrying along
one direction. There was no one {
meet her-but there was no one I
meet anyone else. Porters in red cap
were flying about, Porter, lad!
porter"
She turned white face to benigl
ant old negro i ma red cap.
All alone, missy? Oh-das all RICH