Evening star., 1926-12-06
THE EVENING
STORY
Maria Gst3 a Mar.

word that her brother Tom was sick
and needed her. and as she was sure
of having plenty to do when she got
to him it seemed good to be able to
sit for few hours with folded hands.
There was baby crying across the
aisle. That didn't make for peace.
Maria thought, but then 1t was no
harder for her and the other passen-
gers than for the babys mother
pretty, too. but pathetic. Maria
didn't like to see 'em married and be-
come mothers so young. She herself
had never married because life
wouldn't let her. There had always
! been such lot of folks for her TO do
for-flrst her parents. and then her
sisters children, six of them, and now
| Tom.
She leaned forward now and spoke
to the harassed girl across the aisle.
Let me have the baby. Mebby
| twill be quiet in my lap"
The lap was so broad and cushiony
| and the large old face under the
shabby black hat was so lovable and
sincere that the girl first smiled tim
| idly. then arose and. balancing her
self awkwardly, brought the baby. AS
Maria received him the girl sat down
, in the small space left unoccupied by
the older woman's bulk.
"Upty-daisy." Maria tickled the
baby and beamed upon him while he
with round eyes. discovered her. He
was a great. pink. healthy lump with
no reason apparently for being peev-
ish. Going far?" she inquired.
Into the next state-to Peckville."
Your mans there, l SUPPOSE"
NO, nv folks. I'm going to visit
them" the girl spoke family.
Makes it hard for you travelling
alone" Maria said. "Now I remem.
Der when brought my sister Lizzie's
children home with me after she
died" She was interrupted by ths
baby, who had decided he didn't like
her and was getting black in the
face trying to make her understand.
Guess we aren't going to agree af.
ter ALL" Maria said. She studied
him earnestly. Il believe there's
something he wants" she decided.
The girl flushed.
murmured.
TRY him with a drink" suggested
Maria.
The train had stopped at a small
station and the girl made her way 70
the water cooler. Maria watched her
as she unfolded paper drinking cup.
filled it and held ii to the baby's lips.
He struck the cup away angrily. and
a stylish, good-looking young man
who was coming aboard picked 1t up
and restored it to the girl politely.
The man then sauntered down the
aisle till he came to the seat the girl
had vacated. where he sat down and
began to read a newspaper which he
had taken from his pocket.
The train was again in motion, and
the girl had difficulty in making her
way back with her unruly infant. She
shook her head sadly at Maria. and
hesitated about sitting down. as she
saw that somebody was in her seat.
At that instant the young man
glanced up, saw her, OWNED the rea-
son for her being there and arose
with apology. The girl smiled. they
exchanged a few words. then he went
on to the smoking car and she re-
sumed her former seat.
Maria had folded her hands for the
second time, and was settling herself
for little nap when she was aroused
by a fresh disturbance across the
aisle The girl was looking for some.
thing in a distracted kind of way.
Anything wrong?" Maria asked.
"My purse Is gone" the girl gasped.
I'm sure I must have left it on the
seat"
"Maybe. It's slipped off on the floor"
suggested Maria.
But the girl had looked there. She
had looked everywhere. Her face was
pallid, beads of sweat stood out on her
upper lip and her eyes were dark with
panic.
TT held s5o-all the money I've
III,
The conductor had entered the
explained what had happened. de-
scribed the young man who had taken
the seat.
"Oh, 1t couldn't be he'd do such
thing. He was so polite" cried the
girl.
That's the trouble, he was too
polite" Maria said dryly. Made me
think of Slim Johnson back home.
ANY hopes of getting him. conduc-
tori"
Probably not. He's jumped off the
train, you see," replied the conductor.
He went on to find out what he could.
Maria sat down beside the girl, who
was holding the crying baby help
lessly.
"oh, if he'd only just stop" the girl
moaned.
what does he want. anyway? He
wants something" Maria said. Babies
don't cry for nothing. I've handled
enough Of them to know that.
He wants his father" Suddenly
the girl collapsed, sobbing on Maria's
shoulder You see I've didn't get
along very well, and I've come away:
I'm never going back to him. never"
Maria patted her shoulder.
Does he know you've LETT"
"No. I got ready and came after
he went to work this morning I left
him a note. He'll find 1t tonight; he
doesn't come home to lunch. The
money was his-but I've lost 1t, and
I can't go on without it. My folks
aren't any too we'll Off"
"In that case" said Maria sternly.
they'll be tickled to see you coming
home with baby. See here. You go
back to your man-before he hnds out
you're gone. have a good hot supper
for him Likely he's forgot all about
your difference by this time. We're
coming to a station now, and you get
off and take the first train back. Now
mind what I say"
Before she finished speaking she
saw that she had prevailed. The
train stopped and Maria helped the
girl to the door There she thrust
something into her hand-a roll OF
bills.
"Don't you lose It," she commanded
| firmly.
She went back to her seat and
looked out Of the window. The g1rl
was waving. making the baby wave:
Maria waved back. Then she opened
her little handbag and looked into It
thoughtfully.
"Im out s5c-but maybe it's worth
| it," she thought.
With a sigh she folded her hands
for the third time. and this time she
| went to sleep.
THE END.
Convrirht 1Q26O