station. As the train stopped Ralph opened the window and
glanced out on the platform. The hot air from without
rushed in through the open window as Ralph looked at the
hurrying groups of passengers. He had fallen into a reverie
over the invitation to a house party up the river that he had
been obliged to refuse but was aroused by a feminine voice
at his side, evidently speaking' to him. “I beg pardon, but is
this seat engaged ?” said the voice.
Ralph turned quickly around and looked into the face of
the prettiest girl he had seen for many a day.
“No, indeed, —in a moment, please,” answered Ralph,
and after quickly making room with his traps, helped her to
stow her baggage at their feet. She rewarded him with a
“thank you, very much” and then taking a book from her
lap, began to read.
The train again rolled on and Ralph, although trying to
read a paper, found himself studying - his new seat-mate
from around the corners of the “daily.” The girl beside
him dressed in a lig'ht, well-fitting, tailor-made travelling
gown and with a pretty summer hat, looked the pink of per
fection.
The paper “finished,” Ralph gazed out over the beauti
ful landscape, with its rolling fields, shady summer homes,
and quiet farming hamlets; while the girl at his side con
tinued to read. Somehow Ralph felt ill at ease and finally ex
cusing himself, arose and made his way up to the smoker.
IDveu there he was not contented but finally finished a cigar
that seemed to take longer than usual to smoke. As he
came back with a new novel, purchased from the newsboy,
he found the “late arrival” gazing dreamily out of the win
dow, the warm air blowing the loose locks of wavy hair
playfully about her temples. She was going to move away
from the window but Ralph said he preferred to sit next to
the aisle, as, thanking him, she resumed her position. After
a moment she again took up her book, while Ralph, remind
ed of his late purchase, began his novel.