The Topeka state journal., 1922-12-07
EOening Story
The Six-ten Train.
BY CLARISSA MACKIE

BY CLARISSA MACKIE
Jane drove the big car up the long
hill to the railroad station and backed
it sklllfully to the platform among
the hundred other motors waiting for
the express to come in David Perry
often came down for weekend at
the Woodlands suburban place, and
since his engagement to Jane had
been announced it was Jane who in
variably met him at the station
Sometimes there were other guests
for the Woodlands, or perhaps it
would be merely one of the family,
Sally, but they usually fell into the
background of unimpoFtance. David
and Jane and Joy rode together.
(Jane was looking particularly love-
ly this afternoon: she wore new
frock, and a soft Hopping country
hat that made frame for her be,
witching face.
''Six-ten's late" remarked the bag
gagemaster-station agent-telegrapher,
with a knowing look at Jane WOOD
land.
Jane smiled and dimpled. Peter
Hornbeak knew that the six-ten was
Dayid's train. She walked up and
down the long platform, stopping to
speak to a few friends here and there,
and then stood gazing down the line.
The train came rushing in, bringing
breath of excitement and hustle
from the big city. Jane saw DaVid's
towering form emerge from rear
coach, saw him assist woman-they
walked together-he carried her bag.
She wore a black cloth suit of ex-
swathed in a black lace veil. she
walked with q jauntiness= that put
James healthy stride to shame.
Jane stared coldly at the approach
ing pair.
The truth must be confessed at last.
Jane Woodland was of q. very jeal-
Gus nature, She loved David, and it
hurt her to see him pay any attention
to other women. He rarely did, for
Jane filled his world completely.
"A smaller gir! than land a lot
prettier," thought Jane bitterly as she
drew back hind q pillar. Tempta-
ton prompted jealousy to act. Jane
slipped around the station building,
away in the green twilight.
AS the road uncurlsd before her
she seemed to see those two figures,
the slender, pretty girl and David
walking together.
Suppose she went back and met
them-the girl l-light be some one in
the village whom Tavid had met, or
she might be a cousin.
David had no cousins.
She wondered what they would do
take Steve Brogan's taxicab per-
haps, but they certainly would not
have the effrontery to come to thel
Woodlands. Having come to this CON-
clusion, Jane glanced behind her and
saw them walking along the path be-
hind her. The girl wore gray silk
stockings and gray suede slippers.
The slippers must have been very
uncomfortable to walk in. Jane
thought of that as the car slipped
along the pleasant road. Then she
turned the corner that led home. AS
she turned the corner, she glanced
over her shoulder and saw David put
ting the girl into a taxicab. He
jumped beside her and they rode rap
Idly away in the opposite direction!
Jane did not eat much dinner that
night; she parried the explanations or
her family and listened for the tele-
phone bell. David woulG ring her up.
He usually did so after one of their
quarrels. She rather hoped he would
call her.
1t was 10 o'clock when the tele-
phone called her,
"Jane?" came David's voice.
T "Jane is speaking" she responded
coolIy.
"I must apologize; I came on the
six-ten, but did not see you, dear"
~ was there-I saw you-but you
were so absorbed" embroidered Jane.
Jane Woodland" he breathed
sharply.
''Well. you were busily engaged,
were you HOl.
''Yes, i'll a way. My grandmother
came down with me and 1 was going
to ask you to drop her off at my Aunt
Agatha's. Didn't you see? So we
walked along the road until a taxicab
your grandmother repeated
mother!" she added in scornful dis
belief
"Yes Now, Jane, that I have ex-
ffiS UOII eaD saa vOTIr fnisfaka
can't you?"
ct don't know what you mean about
my mistake. Mr.. Perry" she said in
her coldest tone.
stage?" he asked furiouslv- What is
the next move?"
For me to return your ring, which
I shall do in the morning" said Jane,
with her eyes full of tears, which of
course David could not see.
every WELL" he answered, and rang
off. =
The next day being Sunday, Jane
went to church and had the pleasure
of seeing David sitting in his Great
aunt Agatha's pew with the strange
girl beside him. Jane saw~that David
was very attentive to the slim young
thing in black and a grim despair
seized her.
She wondered if it occurred to Da-
yid that they-David and Jane-had
planned to be married in this very
church in September. Why, they had
decided upon the floral decorations,
the ushers, the guests. the music
everything bad been carefully thought
out. What happy times they had had.
too.
Slowly the congregation dispersed.
In the porch the woodlands fingered
to greet their friends. Jane would
have hurried on to avoid David, but
-Aer mother plucked her back.
Jane, my dear, wan to INTRODUCES
you to Mrs. Churchill, DaVid's grand
mother. Susan, this is my youngest
daughter" murmured Mrs. Woodland
with justifiable pride.
Delighted, my dear. David has
told me about you. Where is the boy?
He brought me to church in that