Confound 'current rumors' anyhow,
and yellow papers too!"
"I beg your pardon," said a low contralto voice.
The girl in the fur coat was standing at my shoulder. I turned, lifting
my cap, wondering what under heaven she could want. I was not much
pleased to tell the truth; a goddess shouldn't step from her pedestal
to chat with strangers. Then suddenly I recognized a distinct oddness in
her air.
"Would you lend me your paper," she was asking, "for just a moment? I
haven't seen one since morning; the evening editions were not out when I
came on board."
Her manner was proud, spirited, gracious; she even smiled; but she was
frightened. I could read it in her slight pallor, in the quickening of
her breath.
My extra! What was there in the day's news that could upset her? I was
nonplussed, but of course I at once extended the sheet.
"Certainly!" I replied politely. "Pray keep it." Lifting my cap a second
time, I turned to go.
Her fingers touched my arm.
"Wait! Please wait!" she was urging. There was a half-imperious,
half-appealing note in her hushed voice.
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