Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1926-07-04

engaged to be married, but "a
Il the last moment she told hin
gently but positively that al
was over between them. In conSe
quence, he thought that his life wa:
ruined, and when he next went OF
duty his brain was still SO befogged b,
his troubles that he sold the same
space on the Seaward Express to two
different people.
One of these was a young man ant
the other was a girl, and they entered
the crowded car from opposite ends anC
a rived simultaneously at the only va
cant seat. They smiled politely, ant
together they said. in effect. I'm
sorry. but l think this is mine
Then they both smiled with ever
greater politeness, and said. in con
cert, Are you quite sure?" They
compared tickets.
But that's most extraordinary"
said the girl, bewildered, Il bought
mine yesterday at half-paSt 3. Wher
did you buy yours?"
AS a matter of fact, his own inter
view with the added agent had pre-
coded hers by several hours, which he
could easily prove by the time stamp
Furthermore, he had Just heard a
conductor remark that all the Sea
ward PullmanS were booked solid. and
that even in the day-coach there was
only standing room. But Haviland
was fundamentally a cavalier. and
beSides-oh, even so much besides
the girl was exceedingly pretty. There
fore he lied as a gentleman should.
X X X X
FOR the remainder of the after
noon Hayiland either stood in the
or oil dor
suit case in the smoking compartment
where he was constant menace to
navigation. He had no regrets what
Soever for what he had done, but
long before the train reached Seward
he did indeed regret that Seaward
wasn't nearer New York.
On the station platform he encoun.
tered her again. She was Just about
to climb into one Of the hotel motor
buses, but at the sight of him she
turned back.
You didn't wait long enough for
me to thank you properly" she said
with mild reproach, but it was ever
so kind of YOU, ana I'm ever so in.
debted to you"
why, not in the slightest" said
Haviland, innocently. The seat was
yours anyway"
But did you find another"
"Oh, easily
Her glance to him held a trace of
suspicion. but to his relief she didn't
pursue the subject further. Instead
she said hesitatingly, Are you spend
ing the season here? At the Inn? Be
cause if YOU Are"
"Why. 1 certainly hope So" said
Haviland with faint smile, "but--'
The bustling head-porter interrupted
them. Now then, lady. Only one
place left. Will you get in, please?
Gentleman goes in the next bus right
behind"
At the Inn. Haviland was personally
received by the manager and invited
into the private office. where he re-
manned for 10 minutes and was not
satisfied with the results. He was
then shown the room which had been
saved for him, and was satisfied still
less. In fact, he intimated that he
didn't know whether he'd take it or
whether he wouldn't.
"Well, of course. Mr.. Haviland,' -
said the manager. I'VE understood
your wire to be perfectly definite, but
that's neither here nor there. We
want to keep you, and we want YOU
to be comfortable but that's
absolutely the best room I've got to
give you. So let's do this: why don't
you stay day and try it. at our ex.
pense? After that If you don't like
it. we simply call it quits. Is that fair
enough"
"Why, splendid" said Haviland.
"Only I warn you l don't expect to
like it"
He dressed leisurely and came
down to dinner-not in the main
dining room. but in a much smaller
one behind 1t. And as he approached
the door from the left a girl ap-
preached it from the right. and they
halted and stared at each other.
why" she said. I'm afraid you've
lost your way, haven't you?"
what are you doing here?" said
Haviland.
"Why, 1 tried to tell you-I'm not