The northwestern bulletin., 1922-09-30
Playing the
Game
By JESSIE DOUGLAS
r syndicate.)

Sarah Lee never knew how heavy
a suitcase could be until she began to
tug hers across the confused station.
She set it down breathlessly and won.
dered how fong the train would wait.
May I help you? Going to st.
Louis?
Sarah Lee knew better than to an
swer any man who spoke to her, but
something about the broad shoulders,
the bronzed face, the resonant voice
of this stranger was different. She
could trust him.
"Yes, l am going to st. Louis. 1t
is kind of YOU"
She had to take very big steps to
keep up with him, and when he had
iswung first her and then her suitcase
up the steps of her compartment she
said shyly, "Oh, thank youl"
She peered into the narrow strip of
glass between the two seats, straight
ened her very new hat, saw that her
blue eyes were bright as flowers and
sat very demurely looking out into a
black world Of which she could see
nothing. She was really early. She
would have time to wait and--think.
1t was kind of brother Ted to offer
her home now that she was all
alone. But she wished with all her
heart that he had married some other
kind of wife, or at least that Jennie
liked her better. ST. Louis was just
7 a big, strange city. She crowded back
tear by shutting her eyelids very
tight and saw when she opened them
that something had happened.
The man with the broze face and
the gray eyes and the unforgettable
voice was In the compartment ahead |!
Her heart began to hammer very hard.
She wondered
4 She was still wondering when some
one came rustling down the aisle; a
girl with her arms full of roses and
cheeks with that same rose flush. She
stumbled before the man In the COM
lpartment ahead and gave stifled ex-
tclamation and dropped her armful of
roses. 1t was very prettily done.
Sarah Lee saw him stoop and gath.
er them up, saw the interchange of
thanks, saw the deepening Of a dimple
in the Rose Girls cheek and felt a
fierce little demon Of jealousy smite
her.
From under her trim little sailor
she watched them go up the aisle to-
gether-the Rose Girl and the man
with the armful of'roses.
Sarah Lee slipped into her berth as
soon as 1t was made up, while she
addressed scornful remarks to herself
that did not seem to take away the
little ache about her heart.
But next morning she could laugh
at the whole thing. Just because a
man had a nice mouth and the kind
Of eyes that seemed to understand
and crisp dark hair was no reason
why she should be little idiot
Sarah Lee was really surprised
when he stopped beside her compart-
ment to say good morning, privilege
which she permitted since he had car
ried her bag. He told her his name
was Jasper Waite. Sarah Lee did not
tell him hers; she knew at the other
end of the car girl with rose cheeks
was waiting for him.
She was right.
She turned just once to see them
laughing together, Jasper Waite and
the Rose Girl and then she put them
ont of her mind.
There are so many things to do on
a train, just as there are In life. The
old lady opposite had lost her glasses
and they must be found. And the lit
tie mother who had compartment No.
6 was so tired after being awake with
baby all night.
Sarah Lee may not have understood
how to talk to young men, but she did
understand babies. She cuddled the
little downy thing In her arms while
the young mother nodded or into a
Inap.
BY mid-afternoon she had whole
circle of admirers-n0t young men,
nor even a young man, the kind
whose laugh drifted down to her from
the end Of the car; but circle of lit
tie girl admirers who demanded atten-
Ition.
Sarah Lee had found a new, an en-
ltrancing game All they needed were
scissors and an old magazine.
"Now, you see, this will be the kitch-
EN-" Sarah Lees voice was charming,
the old lady across the aisle de-
cided, "and well need refrigerator
and kitchen stove"
'T've found parlori''
"And dining roomw
The tow-headed little girl was cut
ting tables out of the advertisements,
while the chubby little girl was cut
ting Tiffany lamps.
"And we must have living room r.
Sarah Lee cried.
1 MAY play"
EYES," Sarah Lee said without look
ling up, "you can take these scissors
and sit down here beside me-"
Then she turned the color Of a scar
let poppy when she saw that she was
looking into the eyes Of the man with
bronze skin and the unforgettable
voice.