The Monmouth inquirer., 1925-08-20
An Imaginative
Person
BY }. A. wALDRoN

= which one has yearned does not
necessarily bring satisfaction and
peace of mind. 1t is aspiration for
the unattainable that gives zest TO ex-
istence.
Melvin was a highly imaginative per
son. He worshiped beauty in all
things. and particularly in woman.
Melvin met Dora at a function
which, like so many functions these
days, was the occasion of feminine
display. Fashion has generous periods.
Melvin lost no time in paying court to
her, and they were duly married.
After a comparatively brief period
Melvin became dissatisfied with matri
mony. His fastidi0usness was n
cause. Mrs. Melyin's habit was anoth-
er. She was naturally indolent. Al
though she had maids for intimate
service she would appear at breakfast
with her personal preparation for the
day in an intermediary stage against
the effect of which her lovely arms
and neck and hair struggled in vain.
She was dowdy. With Melvin that was
fatal. His nagging, instead of %effectl
ing amendment to her habit, spoiled
her temper and killed her affection.
Their feeling being mutual. they sep
arated. There was talk of divorce, but
that was deferred. Mrs. Melvin was
left to her own devices. Melvin sought
distraction in journeys to the West.
where he had large interests. Yet the
vision of Mrs. Melvin in her most at
tractive state was always before him.
He was constantly looking for arms.
a neck n hair like hers, but his
search was in vain.
Coming East late one night, Melvin
boarded a through train which was
tagged for him at a way station.
Among all the pullmans there was but
one vacant berth-an upper. He was
dispirited. He had been very active.
The wait for the train had wearied
him.
Climbing to his berth, a slight open
ing in the curtain startled and en-
chanted him. He caught a glimpse of
d vision. Yes, more than a glimpse.
III WAdl lhC iHllld btS tVIE d0NAt APOh
the eye records at meeting with the
detail and fidelity of q camera.
A IA in the lower berth had APP
%parently become so absorbed In a book
that she took no note of time. She
was half reclining, facing the window.
with the electric light upon the page
she was d%evouring. From a dainty
boudoir cap a hint of the wonder Of
her hair escaped, and her neck and
arms fascinated Melvin. Her charms
even surpassed those of Mrs. Melvin.
Anything de mattah, boss?" asked
the porter. who was holding a ladder
for Melvin.
He had stumbled on a step. 1t was
deliberate. 1t gave him another frac-
tion of a moment for observation. The
charming woman did not move. The
page under her pretty thumb u
have been ~engrossing.
Melvin did not sleep for hours. A
line of light no thicker than a hair
was projected through some negli-
gence of the porter to Melvin's eye
from below. He watched it While his
mind wove a fabric. If this woman
should prove to be single he would
pay court to her. A divorce was but
a detail. If she were married. why
shouldn't he do the same? She was
his fatei
The light disappeared. Toward
morning Melvin fell into slumber. He
dreamed he was in a train wreck, and
awoke with a start. The train was still
in motion. He had an impression that
the lower berth was empty. 1t was.
He performed the acrobatic feats that
precede departure in seemly guise
from an upper and made his way to
the mems room. A surreptitious
glance between curtains into the lower
berth had disclosed feminine detail.
among other things a picture hat. He
was happy. She had not left the train.
Melvin met the porter, into whose
hand be slipped a coin. "Do you mind
telling me- he asked. 'the destina-
ton of the lady in lower seven?"
"She's fo' N'York.y In the ladies'
room now, sub"
AS he shaved, Melvin hummed an air
with the joy of a d%iscoverer. Slick
and dapper, he wen rearward to the
dining car. Then he had another idea.
Assisting his waiter to palm a dollar
he said c~arelessly:
"a lady will come in presently to
breakfast-a handsome woman with
wonderful hair. She will wear a large
hat. You can't mistake her. Please
reserve a seat for her opposite me"
"Ah right, sir" The waiter was moi
at first clear in his mind as to what 1t
might mean Then came the idea that
the lady must be the handsome half of
d bridal couple. Such persons, he well
knew. sometimes reveal themselves by
a studied carelessness. And this no
ton persisted with him. Moreover. a
dollar tip preliminary meant some
thing worth while subsequently.
Melvin took his seal facing ehe rear