Part 1 (2/2)

The girl removed the entire handkerchief. The other eye proved to be the same admirable blue--a blue half-way between the shade of her corduroy suit and that of the jacky's costume in the ”See the World--Join the Navy” poster that served as background to her woe.

”I don't mean to be rude,” she explained more gently, ”but--I'm crying, you see, and a girl simply can't look attractive when she cries.”

”If I had only been regularly introduced to you, and all that,”

responded Mr. Magee, ”I could make a very flattering reply.” And a true one, he added to himself. For even in the faint flickering light of the station he found ample reason for rejoicing that the bit of cambric was no longer agonizingly pressed. As yet he had scarcely looked away from her eyes, but he was dimly aware that up above wisps of golden hair peeped impudently from beneath a saucy black hat. He would look at those wisps shortly, he told himself. As soon as he could look away from the eyes--which was not just yet.

”My grief,” said the girl, ”is utterly silly and--womanish. I think it would be best to leave me alone with it. Thank you for your interest.

And--would you mind asking the gentleman who is pressing his face so feverishly against the bars to kindly close his window?”

”Certainly,” replied Mr. Magee. He turned away. As he did so he collided with a rather excessive lady. She gave the impression of solidity and bulk; her mouth was hard and knowing. Mr. Magee felt that she wanted to vote, and that she would say as much from time to time. The lady had a glittering eye; she put it to its time-honored use and fixed Mr. Magee with it.

”I was crying, mamma,” the girl explained, ”and this gentleman inquired if he could be of any service.”

Mamma! Mr. Magee wanted to add his tears to those of the girl. This frail and lovely damsel in distress owning as her maternal parent a heavy unnecessary--person! The older woman also had yellow hair, but it was the sort that suggests the white enamel pallor of a drug store, with the soda-fountain fizzing and the bottles of perfume ranged in an odorous row. Mamma! Thus rolled the world along.

”Well, they ain't no use gettin' all worked up for nothing,” advised the unpleasant parent. Mr. Magee was surprised that in her tone there was no hostility to him--thus belying her looks. ”Mebbe the gentleman can direct us to a good hotel,” she added, with a rather stagy smile.

”I'm a stranger here, too,” Mr. Magee replied. ”I'll interview the man over there in the cage.”

The gentleman referred to was not cheerful in his replies. There was, he said, Baldpate Inn.

”Oh, yes, Baldpate Inn,” repeated Billy Magee with interest.

”Yes, that's a pretty swell place,” said the ticket agent. ”But it ain't open now. It's a summer resort. There ain't no place open now but the Commercial House. And I wouldn't recommend no human being there--especially no lady who was sad before she ever saw it.”

Mr. Magee explained to the incongruous family pair waiting on the bench.

”There's only one hotel,” he said, ”and I'm told it's not exactly the place for any one whose outlook on life is not rosy at the moment. I'm sorry.”

”It will do very well,” answered the girl, ”whatever it is.” She smiled at Billy Magee. ”My outlook on life in Upper Asquewan Falls,” she said, ”grows rosier every minute. We must find a cab.”

She began to gather up her traveling-bags, and Mr. Magee hastened to a.s.sist. The three went out on the station platform, upon which lay a thin carpet of snowflakes. There the older woman, in a harsh rasping voice, found fault with Upper Asquewan Falls,--its geography, its public spirit, its brand of weather. A dejected cab at the end of the platform stood mourning its lonely lot. In it Mr. Magee placed the large lady and the bags. Then, while the driver climbed to his seat, he spoke into the invisible ear of the girl.

”You haven't told me why you cried,” he reminded her.

She waved her hand toward the wayside village, the lamps of which shone sorrowfully through the snow.

”Upper Asquewan Falls,” she said, ”isn't it reason enough?”

Billy Magee looked; saw a row of gloomy buildings that seemed to list as the wind blew, a blurred sign ”Liquors and Cigars,” a street that staggered away into the dark like a man who had lingered too long at the emporium back of the sign.

”Are you doomed to stay here long?” he asked.

”Come on, Mary,” cried a deep voice from the cab. ”Get in and shut the door. I'm freezing.”

”It all depends,” said the girl. ”Thank you for being so kind and--good night.”

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