The Clio messenger. (Clio, Mich.) 1907-current, 1922-02-23
PART lll-Continued.


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-windOw
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 mQ-
mentS the clerk waited until he should
state his wishes. This was new
clerk. who had just relieved the other.
well. Well," he said AT last.
"Ill take II now" Noble responded,
gently.
"What'll yon take now?"
THAT ticket
What ticket"
1.-The same one | wanted before"
Noble sighed.
The clerk gave him piercing look.
glanced out of the window and saw
that there were no other clients. then
went Ia desk at the farther end of
his compartment. ana took up some
clerical work he had i'm 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. us 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 no;iceably
enliyening TO the dullest eye. She was
preceded by n brisk porter who ear
ri2d two travelling bags of Il rich sort,
rs well as sack of implements for
the game of golf; and she was warm
In dark furs against which the Vastly
clump of violets She wore showed
dewy gleamings of blue.
AT sight Of Noble Dill. more than
penSive al the ticket-wndow, she hest
tated. then stopped and observed him.
Here was q coincidence, in Il mild
way, for as il happened she was her
self the most observed person in all
that place. She was yelled in two
wells. but she had been seen in the
train without these. and some of her
fellOw-trayelers. though strangers 10
her. We're walking near her in Il hypo-
critical way, hoping still not To lose
sight of her, even yelled And although
the Surroundings permitted the most
meager information Of her features,
what they did reveal was harmfully
plquant moreover, there was sweet
ness to the figure n disturbing grace;
and nothing DISCUSSES such an air Of
wearing that many viOlets as II daily
pCrquiSite and matter Of course.
1t was Julia'S fortune (th0ugh her
father had other ideas concerning the
mntter) 10 be the poSSessor of n 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 her 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
.apse. He shook. and had no voice.
~ just this minute got off The
Irain," Julia said. Are YOU going
away somewhere"
NO" he whispered: then obtained
command of huskiness somewhat
greater In volume. I'm just standing
here
81 told the porter TO get me taxi
cab" she said. III you're going home
fer dinner TT drop you at your house"
- Pm +" His articulation
encountered unsurmountable difficult
ties. but Julia had been with him
through many such trials aforetlme.
She said briskly. I'm awfully hungry
and want 10 get home. Come on-if
you like
lie walked wnveringly 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 ineffabIe aud poisonous.
I'm so glad | happened to run
across you" she said, as they began
TO vibrate TREMENDOUSLY In unison with
the fierce little engine that drove them.
81 want to hear all the news. Nobody
knows I'm home. didn't write or
telegraph to soul; and I'll be
complete surprise to father and every
-. lL-...A Irran.rr lnrr .nInnrnnf a