Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1925-12-09
An Imaginative
Person
(Copyright.)
BY J. A. WALDRON

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 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 fastidiousness was one
cause. Mrs. Melvin'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 effect
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.
q neck and 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 way station.
Among all the pullmans there was but
one vacant berth-an upper. He was
dispir1ted. He had been very active.
The wait for the train had wearied
him.
Climbing to his berth, slight open
ing in the curtain startled and en-
chanted him. He caught a glimpse Of
vision. Yes, more than a glimpse.
for what the mind has long dwelt upon
the eye records at meeting with the
detail and fidelity Of a camera.
A woman In the lower berth had ap-
parently become 20 absorbed in book
that she took no note Of time. She
was half reclining, facing the window.
with the electric light upon the page
she was devouring. From dainty
boudoir cap q 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, bossr' asked
the porter. who was holding q ladder
for Melvin.
He had stumbled on q step. II was
deliberate. 1t gave him another frac-
ton Of q moment for observation. The
charming woman did not move. The
page under her pretty thumb must
have been engrossing.
Melvin did not sleep for hours. A
line Of light no thicker than 4 hair
was projected through some nsgli-
gence Of the porter to Melvin's eye
from below. He watched 1t while his
mind wove a fabric. II this woman
should prove to be single he would
pay court to her. A divorce was but
a detail. II she were married. Why
shouldn't he do the samel She was
his fatel .g .H 5.-t
The light disappeared. Toward
morning Melvin fell into slumber. BE
dreamed he was in 4 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 he slipped coin. do you mind
telling me-" he asked, "the destina.
ton Of the lady In lower severn
"She's TO- N'York. In the ladies'
room now, subj"
As he shaved, Melvin hummed an air
with the Joy Of a discoverer. Slick
and dapper. he went rearward to the
dining car. Then he had another idea.
Assisting his waiter to palm dollar
he said carelessly:
"A lady will come In presently to
breakfast-a handsome woman with
wonderful hair. She will wear large
hat. You can't mistake her. Please
reserve a seat for her opposite me-"
"All right, SIR" The waiter was not
at first clear In his mind as to what it
might mean. Then came the idea that
the lady must be the handsome half Of
a bridal couple. Such persons, he we'll
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 seat facing the rear
Of the car. He felt that he might be-
tray his anxiety and defeat his plan
II he should face the door through