Richmond Palladium (Daily), Volume 34, Number 123, 11 March 1909 — Page 3

ET 'em off first! Let 'em off! All aboard! Step lively, please! Both gates! Step lively!" chanted Patrick Hennessey, subway guard, with the rich brogue of his native land.

The early morning crowd poured into the cars to the right and left of him, as he stood at his post with his hands on the levers ready to close the doors. And then, right at the tail of the . crowd, came Katie, her hair roughened and her cheeks rosy from the crisp wind which was blowing through the streets above. "I3 this an express," then?" she asked breath- r lessly, as the door shot to behind her. "It is, sure," answered Patrick, looking at her " o earnestly that he almost forgot to call the next station. "Faith. I'm glad of that." she said with a sigh of relief, and a look out of a pair of Irish eyes that made Patrick think of County Kerry. "I was afraid it was late I would be at the restaurant." he explained with a frank glance at her compatriot. "I go on duty at eight o'clock." "Do you so!" exclaimed Patrick. It seemed to him the most interesting piece of information that be had ever received. That glance had set his Inflammable Irish heart oh fire. "Pass up to the cintre of the car! Don't block the door!" he snouted as the crowd surged in at the stations. "Not you, darlin," he added, fervently under his breath, with a sidelong look at the rosy-cheeked Irish girl. "For the love of Hiven, stay near me with your pretty eyes and your rid cheeks!" And then he said aloud to her with formal politeness, "Perhaps you would be acquainting me with what station you get off at, and then I could be tellin' you if kwe reach there before eight o'clock." "Fourteenth Street," she answered. "We get there in time, then, that is, if you don't be havln far to walk," he added, with an admiring glance. ' "Oh, no," she laughed. "I work at Casey's restaurant in Third Avenue, just beyont." "I mind the place well," put in Patrick eagerly, "and i am after hearing that It is a good place, too." . 'V" - ' ' "It is so." "Only the other day, when I was passin, I says to myself, 'I'll stop in there for a bite some day,' " he went on cunningly. "Sure, then, do," she encouraged. "And ask for Katie Doran's table, for Casey takes notice when we do bring in a new customer, and he gives us a' percentage if he comes steady." "Faith, then, you'll be makin your fortune off ' Patrick Hennessey," he put in boldly, "for I'll be that stid4y!" Katie shot a glance at him. "Grand Central Station! Fourteenth Street next!" shoutejd Patrick, suddenly alive to his duties as the train slowed up. When . the doors opened, the crowd of hurry- . lng commuters pressing into the train carried Katie with it well up fhto the car, and Patrick saw no more of her until she tripped .off the train with a glance at him in passing that made him think that the clamorous Fourteenth Street Station was 'the finest spot on the line. "Faith,' there's a fire in my heart that's crackling with love for you," he murmured, looking after her as he regretfully closed the doors and shouted, "Brooklyn Bridge next! Change for City. day long Patrick's v train went its roaring way up and down under the streets of Manhattan, carrying , hurrying multitudes hither and thither, and Patrick called ; the stations as usual, only "Fourtenth Street" had a new sound to him because he knew that Katie Doran was "just beyon In Casey's restaurant. ; All day long,, he figured over what he would say to her when ; he went to Casey's for his evening meal, but he never once thought of what he would cat, for love, swift and sudden, was working its own sweet will on Patrick. His working hours came to an end at last. It was dark when he turned from Fourteenth Street Into Third Avenue,' and Casey's illuminated ' sign shone invitingly a little way up from the cor- ' iter. . , Patrick walked briskly to the place. The windows on each side of the door were emblazoned with the words "Casey's Restaurant" done in a gilt scroll, and behind the glass were pyramids of charlotte-russes - and ' monuments of shiny red apples set in a field of pfes and flanked by placards inscribed with the words, "Home Cooking." . Patrick paused uncertainly In the door and looked past the desk of the haughty lady cashier down the long narrow room, trying to find Katie among the hurrying waitresses. Yes, there she was, at the fifth table on the left, and she had seen him. ' She was nodding and smiling! - Patrick's heart ' was in his mouth as he . walked down the room.

"Good evening, Mr. Hennessey," said Katie, industriously polishing a section of the marbletopped table, "will you be so kind and. take this place? I thought belike you would forget Casey's before night," she added archly.. "It was not Casey's I was rememberin," answered Patrick with an ardent glance. "Oh, was it not, then?" she returned with a- toss of her head and a slight blush. "And what will you have to eat, Mr. Hennessey?" she went on hastily, handing him a bill of fare. . " .. Patrick waved it away. "And would you mind ordering my dinner for me yourself?" said he.; "I don't so much care what I ate, just so it takes a long time," he added with another glance. . ,. "Faith, then, you are easy suited," she laughed. " 'Deed and I'm not," answered Patrick stoutly, "but sure and I know when I am suited," he added looking straight at her. "Do you so?" put in Katie with another toss of her head and another blush for good measure, as she turned toward the kitchen. . Patrick watched her as she walked lightly down

Finally she came over to Patrick's table "Can I serve you to anything, Mr. Hennessey?" she asked demurely. "Thank you, Miss Doran, I am well helped." he answered gloomily. "Don't be lettin' me keep you from your friend," he added with a jerk of his head towards the other table. "Sure, I will not then," returned Katie with a toss of her head, and, putting the check for the dinner at his elbow, she went back to Jerry's table and the two talked more gaily than ever. Patrick pretended not to notice them, and tried to eat his mince pie, but he could not do it, although It was certified as deep dish and home made. Finally he could stand it, no longer, and taking advantage of one of Katie's brief absences in the , kitchen -he snatched up his check from the table, paid, the lady cashier with, the far-off manner, and bolted from the room.v V ' The next day Patrick performed his duties with ; a heavy ' heart and winced, every time he called

"Fourteenth Street. Even his "Step lively" had no snap to it. : - ' - - - -: - ' "I might have known there was no chance for , v me," he said to himself gloomily. "Of course," an angel like her would be bespoken." " Patrick ' vowed a dozen times during the day that he would never go near Casey's again, but ' -when night came he found himself turning the corner of Fourteenth Street into Third Avenue. "Why would I be after lettin' a spalpeen like that drive me away?" he demanded of himself scornfully. "It is a fine place to ate in, and there are other . tables in "the room besides Katie Doran's!" - But when he opened the door of the restaurant and saw Katie's trim figure at the fifth table on the left, he went to her as straight as the moth to the flame. "Good evening, Mr. Hennessey," she said with

That brought Patrick's air castles tumbling about his ears, and he went forth from Casey's in deep dejection. The next day was a hard one for Patrick, and he carried a sore heart with him on his trips up and down the subway. Late in the afternoon, just as he had closed the doors at Fourteenth Street on the up trip and rung his two-bell starting signal, a couple came running frantically across the station platform. They were coming so fast in their eagerness to catch the train, that, before she could stop herself, the girl, who was in advance, had flattened her little nose against the glass panel of the door.' Patrick looked up and saw the disappointed face of Katie Doran, and the detestable Jerry Just behind her. ; He gave them one glance, and then he did something grossly against the rules of the company. ' He slid the door back a foot, whisked Katie aboard, then closed it sharply in the face of the astonished Jerry, and the train thundered away into the tun

nel, leaving him gaping on the platform.

' "It's ashamed of myself t am." at tfie way 1 acted,' he said with a contrite air. "but I tool duty at the end of this trip and if you will only; stay on the car till then, I will take you across to where you wish to go. and I'll apologise handsome to to your friend. Sure I do be owing him that much aminds for my my mistake. Katie tried to frown, but the dimple showed signs of becoming unruly. - Before Patrick could say more, the train gave a series of jerks and got under way. " He sprang to his post and called "Grand Central. Seventy-second Street . next!" as it rounded the curve and swung into the station. Then he leaned swiftly towards Katie, his hands on the levers. "Say that you will." he entreated. "He will never find yon In that crowd." he ' added, nodding towards the hurrying throng on the platform, and as the train slowed down for the stop. "Sure, and It's you have, a way with yon, lfr. Hennessey!"-said Katie with a bubbling laugh.

5 "And anyway, I don't see what else I can do," sho

"Mercy me!" gasped Katie, and she squeezed her v added tnougntrauy. face against the glass and vainly tried to look back , And so It canie to pass as the express tore north-,

at Jerry. f r .J.;1 ''Why ever did you do that?" she demanded, turning a pair of flashing grey eyes on Patrick. "Sure I thought you wanted to get aboard the train," he . responded, with all meekness, ."and 1 was trying to help you." "And so you did, but you left my escort." "Did I now?" exclaimed Patrick with a fine air of innocence. "I was thinking that I saw someone just beyont, but I didn't know that he belonged to you." .' '- . i - ' "No more I said that he did!" returned Katie, sharply. , . .; ,. . ;': At this moment - the' train began slowing down and finally came to a standstill. Katie peered out

the room. "It's the neatest little figure in 'all New York she has, the darlin'," he murmured, following her with admiring eyes, "an' she walks like she lived on Fifth Av'nue." While she was gone, a good-looking young fellow came and took a seat at the next table. After glancing around for a moment, as if searching for some one, he called to a passing waitress, "Mag

gie, where is little Katie tonight?

i, ucv w uiuo uaiic luuigui. . DUl 1 vein away nu "Little Katie, Is it?" muttered Patrick, glower- looking up at her.

a bewildering smile, "I am 'glad you enjoyed "your dinner last night well enough to make you want to come back." "Good evening," answered Patrick, sitting down at her table, his heart thumping with joy, for she. was smiling at him and he had her all to himself. There was no Jerry in sight. "Yes, sure, it was a fine dinner," he remarked appreciatively.

but I went away hungry all the same," he added,'

lng at him. "For two cents I'd punch his head.

the impudent young-" At this moment Katie , returned with her dimpled arms full of dish . "Hello, Katie!" hailed the newcomer. "It's fine you are tonight with your new apron!" "How are you, Jerry?" she answered with a beaming smile that it hurt Patrick to see. Then she busied herself In arraying the savory dishes on the table. , "Oh, Katie.' called Jerry, "I am that hungry! I have been driving the team all day in the wind. If you, will get me something extra good to eat, I'll tell you a fine secret," and then, as she passed his table, he said something to her in a low voice, and she went off to the kitchen with a conscious .laugh. Patrick's heart was sore within him, and he ate mechanically whatever came first to hand. After a time Katie returned with Jerry's dinner, and, while she was putting 'it upon the table he told her something in a low tone which appeared to please her very much, and then he added something that made her blush and laughingly protest.

You did?" she inquired.

"Yes. hungry for you." he put" in boldly " "I was not on the bill of fare. Mr. Hennessey."' she returned with a toss of her head, but there was just the suspicion of. a dimple at the corner,' of her mouth. "Sure, no not on'mine atleastrretorted Pat-: rick. "I was at the wrong table," he added meaningly. . : , .. . ,' "Mr. Hennessey," said Katie.with dignity, JI do not like the way you refer to my " " At this moment Jerry himself walked past the table, greeting Katie with the familiarity of one assured of a welcome, and from that moment Patrick's dinner was as ashes in his mouth, . It was a bad start, but still he persevered and went to Casey's night after night, and as time went on It was frequently a dead heat, whether he or Jerry received the most of Katie's smiles. ' Patrick was beginning to have some hope, when, one Saturday night, just as he was going away, he heard Jerry say'eagerly to Katie, "I will come for yon tomorrow afternoon when you go off duty, and then he added something in a low voice that made Katie blush, and Patrick distinctly saw him give her hand a quick, squeeze.

into the dark tunnel. "Sure, it's blocked we are; what is the matter, Mr. Hennessey?" "I don't know, at all," he responded, "but good luck to it, whatever it is." he added to himself, "for it gives me a chance to talk to her." "Now, I can't get up or down, and there is Jerry back there on 'the platform and me here!" she exclaimed in perplexity. "Sure you saw him plain enough, Mr. Hennessey." she declared. "Why ever did you do it?" she demanded In a severe tone, but withal there was again just a suspicion of that (dimple at the corner of her month. Patrick gave a , swift look around. The persons nearest them were 'a group of Italians who were busy jabbering their disgust at the delay. They couldn't understand him anyway. "Faith, then. I couldn't help it," he answered boldly. '.'It was just my heart reachIn' out for you on a sad dint, and before I could stop myself you were In the car!" For a moment the dimple had its way, and then was sternly repressed. "Sure, and yon are the Impudent one! she said with dignity. "I will get off at the Grand Central and wait for Jerry, that is if your train ever reaches there." she added with a toss off her head. ' "Oh. it will start again after a while," said Patrick contentedly. "But how will he know that you are getting off at the Grand Central? He will never see yon in the crowd there Is there." "Sure, what win I do then?" questioned Miss Doran. puckering np her pretty brow, "for we were going to take the croastown car at 125th Street and go over and have supper with some friends of Jerry's, and it's dark by now. and and I haven't any car fare, not expecting to need any. i Then Patrick had a brilliant inspiration. '

ward, passing the local stations in a roar of haste - to make up lost time, that .Miss Katie Doran sat sweet and demure in a seat near the door of the car, and Patrick feasted his eyes upon her from his ; post on the platform. "Sure, she's sn angel!" he murmured, "and If Jerry gets her. It's fight for her he will have to. for I'll never give np trying till they reach the church door and At this moment there came a blinding flash! The lights in the cars suddenly went out, and a pungent odor sifted through the air.. Here and there a m woman's cry came out of the darkness. There waa a sound of breaking glass, and a confused noise of feet. Patrick 'felt someone seize his arm and Katie's voice said, "Oh. Patrick, what Is the nutter?" "Get behind me, Katie! Don't move or scream! he commanded, and there was a note In his voice that she had never heard before. "Get back there, all of yez!" he cried, and his voice came out of the dark like a trumpet. "Don't, rash this door! There is no danger! Nothing bnt a fuse Mowed ont! Get , back!" There was a, woman's sudden cry of pain and a struggle. "Yon would trample a woman. ' would you, you brute! " came in Patrick's voice, . "Take that, ye spalpeen!" V l' , "Oh. Patrick," exclaimed Katie, seising his arm ; in the darkness, "what la it?" j v;' V "A brute 'was walking over a woman." ho an- -t swered, "but he has stopped now." he added grim"ly. Then he called out cheerfully to the passengers. "Yous can all see, even If It Is dark, that nothing Is going to happen.. Please don't be blocking the door. Just sit aisy now, until they get things fixed. - Twill not be long." I A few moments later the cars were again flooded with light, and the passengers settled back relieved and a little ashamed at their needless panic As the train proceeded on its way. Katie sat very quietly in her place, but once Patrick surprised her glanc

ing at him with a look In her face that he had never, seen there before. When the trip was over and Patrick had been relieved from duty, he said to Katie, his heart thumping, "And would yon like to be walking a few .blocks before we take the car again? lis a fine night." C "Sure, and I think it would be pleasant after all the excitement." she responded demurely, placing a little hand on the arm he held out. "Katie, were you frightened?" he asked softly as they walked along, for the band on his arm was trembling Just a little.- Y . ' , ."No, not with yon looking after me." she responded. : . '.' . Patrick pressed the hand a little closer to his aide. - ::, . - ''Sure It's a brave man yon are." she aald, admiringly. "You talked , to- them like a Hon, I would never be frightened of anything when yon were by." , ' T" " ' ;- ' "I wish't I might always have the Job of keeping you safe,", he murmured with his heart in his mouth. ' " , ':. "Do yon so?" she breathed, and It seamed to Patrick that her hand nestled a trifle closer into the hollow of his arm. . . "Yes, I 16ve yon. my darlin," he whispered, all on fire. "Have I any chance at all?" - "And wherefore not?" she asked softly. "But Jerry!" he demanded, a sudden trouble la his voice. 'Jerry, Is It. yoa silly boy! Jerry Is my own cousin, and he was taking me today to see the girl he is engaged to." t "But what was he saying to yon at Casey's that made yon blush so?" asked the bewildered Patrick, i "Sure, he was telling me about his girl, what else? And and then he was asking me why I didn't go and and do the same," she ended, her void trailing off to the merest whisper. "And will you?" asked Patrick, seising her hands. . . "Yes. sure," she .. answered gently, raising her eyes to his.

THE GOSPEL OP PA?J. A SONG OF THE NEW TEAR. By Charles Buxton Going.

I shall be part of the flood and of the Part of the daisied field, the Tsssktmi

Sleep with the snow, wake la the Spring's desJreT"

Grow In the grass where the winds of run.

And of the prairie and the

I shall be part part of the drifting shower. Sigh of the forest, boergeeslsg of the tree.

Song of the bird, and hash of twilight

I shall be fa i cjfrtr?rtae star The night's grett 12 nTst crt Cm I shall he part of all g3 Oat areEarth unto earth aad'Xj to Ufa anew!