The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1930-03-13
Alice in the
Subway
By JANE OSBORN
Observation-Disclosures
(Copyright.l

L L seemed to be holding a perpetual
competition for the "Drettiest girl" or
1.-THE most beautiful girl" In this COM
petition he was sole Judge and the
contestants were girls he CHANGED to
meet or to see anywhere. 1t seemed
to be game that interested him i'm
mensely and that made even ride in
a crowded subway car something Of
an adventure.
Thus he was engaged one afternoon
when the offices of the business Sec
tiOn had just poured forth their girls
on their way homeward. This time
the laurels were awarded without de-
lay. The girl who stood opposite him
in the vestibule Of the subway car
was so fresh of face, so gracefully
proportional, so brown of eye and
golden of hair that she won with fly
ing colors. In fact, she was perhaps
the prettiest girl he
Then the surprising thing happened.
The pretty girl quietly stepped over to
him.
You're John Laurence, aren't
you?" she said.
1t was surprising because be- wasn't
John Laurence.
You bet l am, John Laurence's
my name all right"
You don't remember met" she
asked, with disappointment.
81 remember your face-couldn't
ho kI,1
name has slipped me-"
"Alice," she reminded. 81 used to
sit in front of you in school. You used
to walk home after school, too, and
carry my books"
$50 l did, so did. You look just
the same. Let's see, how many years
ago was that?"
"Ten, wasn't IT." she figured. "We
were fifteen then and we're twenty
five now"
Enormous satisfaction swept over
the man. He was thirty-two.
Il guess. look a whole lot older
than you." he flushed.
well, maybe, but then ! suppose
you have worked pretty hard. heard
you had graduated from Harvard and
had gone in business" she said.
Sand I'd really like to see you again
and talk over school days." She put
her hand out. "Come and see me
some time. live exactly where l did
ten years ago. l am getting out here
tonight to see friend"
And there the man stood glued to
the side of the car. When he came to
his senses and tried to follow, the
subway door promptly slammed in his
face.
Jim Kelly took time the next day
to drop in at the Harvard club in
town and find from there something
Of one John Laurence. He found that
he operated a factory, some sixty
miles out of the city. The next day
was Saturday and Jim took q two
o'clock train.
He found John Laurence, and was
not flattered at having to consider
himself his double. To be sure they
were of the same build and coloring.
Their features were similar, though
John Laurence looked his junior by
ten years.
1--WE come on rather curious err
rand" he began in grandiose man.
ner. "You see, happened TO meet a
little girl-a chance meeting, but we
got rather well acquainted. She gave
me her address written on card and
somehow lost it. Now didn't want
to disaproint her. Being man of
resources | tried to work on what
clews had. She spoke of having gone
to school with John Laurence-said
that she thought We might be cousins
because of some slight family resem-
blance.
$50 | happened to be out here to-
day and thought I'd drop around and
get you to give me her address. l
can't remember her last name, but her
first name is Alice. Size said she lived
exactly where she did when she knew
you. She said she hadn't thought of
you once for ten years until something
in my face reminded her distinctly of
you"
Something in the last remark
brought the color rising to John
Laurence's face.
II thought you'd give me the ad-
dress. l have other ways of getting,
it, but"
you'll have to use your other
sources, then" said John Laurence.
"And l wish you good afternoon"
Jim Kelly did not feel entirely
thwarted by this rebuff, and two weeks
later when he CHANGED to see the
charming Alice in he subway one eve
ming he felt that the had been peculiar.
ly blessed.
"This time I'm going to get your
address, little lady," he said.
Then he noticed the circle of dia-
monds on her left hand. Perhaps
she had draw her glove off on pur.
pose.
"Does that ring mean anythingT
asked Jim awkwardly.
1T has the most wonderful meaning
in the world. You know the time !
saw you first l thought you were John
Laurence, and 1 guess l didn't give
you ct ance to say. you weren't. A
few days later. the real John Laurence
came to see me. He was very good
friend of mine and now, now we're
iy,l- hot