New Britain herald., 1924-01-17
THE STOLEN BARN

IL was two minutes past twelve Only very little after midnight But, all the same, mystery and ad- venture began to settle upon the city. Already the streets looked de- serted. apart from few couples too absorbed in themselves to matter more than sidewalks and lamp posts It had been very hot all day, so hot that I had gone out seeking coolness rather than adventure, Rut the night was nearly as hot as the day and I had spent the last two hours in state Of semi-collapse in the Paddington Recreation Ground. l had sought for taxi in vain, and now, feeling exhausted. l was wait. ing for an omnibus. Thus my thoughts were directed upon myself rather than upon my surroundings; the foreground of my mind was oc- curied by the sodden state of my col lar, by a violent aspiration 10 the cold bath would find at home. No doubt, for that reason, failed at first 10 observe that my watch was shared by a young girl. And when I did observe her, I registered cssu- ally that she was dark and pretty. She did not interest me. IL was sc hot that she might fall down in a fit if sheltked; [ wouldn't have the energy 10 help her up.
 However. after s moment my ad. ,entnrous habit Of mind was ani- mated by the discovery that she was walking ID and down very fast. That anybody, for no obvious reason, should walk np and down in this torrid air suggested iunacy or crime, My interest developed as the girl passed me. wheeled yicioGsly upon her heels, tramped hy again. She was paying no attention to me Her pretty little nose was held high in thr air; her small barc hands were c'erehed on the handle or parasol. With which occasionally she gave the pavement iab.
 Now women are always interesting, hpi they are al their best in two cor. ditions. tears and temper. When in tears. they want 10 tell everything. when in temper. they can't help it. So kcpt my eyes fixed fixed upon her while still she went up and down. tHF hltl HUI tfsppNls OFn NflFf while. l came 10 the gloomy realiza- tion that the young lady was angry because the omnibus did not come. What a come down, So much dis torted passion, just for missing omnibus. Reason enough. perhaps, 1T a missed omnibus means a siy-nile walk in temperature recalling that Of the Gulf of Mexico but how dull. If was at that moment that kindly policeman. as he ssuntered rast. remarked to me: No good waiting. sir. The last went at irn to twelve"
 What" shouted the girl furious.
 Where are you going to-" ] asked.
 "Pimlico."
 ''ft's long way" said the heat having evidently made me idiotic.
 She surveyed me with infinite com tempt. refsctinE. no doubt. that [ was just like a man, as is the habit Of women when things do not hap pen exactly as they like At that moment there appeared at the top of the street. coming toward us. taxi that peacefully craNled along Ex- cited by this heavenly vision. [ re- solved to leap into if and go homo, but the sight of the little drawn face moved me go said. Cant ] give you a iift7"
 She took one step back. elaring at me. evidently suspicious: Where do you liNe:" sine asked
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 'I expect you're telling me the tale shs remarked in matter of fact tone. "suil. I've got 10 fetch