1935-12-17 — Page 33

CHINA MAIL CHRISTMAS SUPPLEMENT

A Ticket To Budapest

Continued from Page 18.)

cend upon her, as though cyni- cally asking her "What now?" What now, but London and the office, and never any more Buda- pesti Just one of the crowd at Brighton. But she thrust these thoughts aside. It was not like. her to be retrospective-anyway, it had been a wonderful experi- ence She hoped the rest of the journey would be tranquil, and that she would just fall back at her desk at the office as though she had been there always end had just dreamed for five minutes that she was transplanted in Europe

But was she being quite truthin with herself? Youth was too eager for the good trad- things of life to think quillity desirable at twenty-two-, Anyhow, she did hope that she did not get any noisy travellers in with her. As if in answer to her thought, the smiling guard thrust his head in the window, proceeding to open the carriage door, and to Esmeralda's tonishment the boy from the boat sprang into the compartment. see her,

23-

ed to make himself comfortable and settle his various belongings. Then, still without glancing round, be planted himself at the window opposite her. A fex moments had passed, with both with young people scanning eager eyes the bustling crowd on the railway station, when her

murmured. 48 companion

if thinking to himself:

"And I thought I was going

to enjoy myself.”

So he was English. ton; then 2 little devil of amusement sprang into the girl's eyes, and in a low-pitched voice, as though continuing a conversation, she replied:

"And didn't you?"

Immediately he turned, and the one word of amazement burst forth--

“You!" Then quickly: "Say, this is funny. Were you holi- daying in Budapest, too?".

"YES.** All her vivacity had returned to her. "And, like you, I thought I was going to have the happiest holiday of my life" A low laugh broke from her companion-

I

"Well, we are two of a kind. My name is Desmond Vane. You see, I've spent all my time cooped up, in an insurance office until three weeks ago. when was left some money. I always thought foreign travel was the best thing. I can't say I've en- joyed it so far, but perhaps I will yet."

A little answering smile play- ed about the girl's mouth.

THE tedious joumey across

THE

Europe passed unnoticed. They talked of the lights on the Danube by night, of days when the water was blue with ""the" sunlight and brown with rain.. and always it was "Do you re member the day?" Both loved the beauty of that gay city, and it was ever a delight to compare notes. She felt that rever had she known anyone in her life so well as she had Desmond in this short time, while Desmond guess- ed he had always known just what she would be like.

E girl awoke from her re-

man's voice.

"Oh! Esmeralda, do you re- member that day I first saw you on the ferry? What a glorious day it was! If only I had spoken to you then.

She looked at him inquiringly. “Why?”

But, continuing, he did not answer her question.

"Then, do you remember the evening I saw you again on the Corso. what a night that west If only I had spoken to you then."

Again Esmeralda "Why?"

echoed,

A purposeful, intent look came into the man's eyes—

"Can't you guess?" "No."

"I might not have had to get two tickets back to Budapest"

Immediately she was gathered into his arms.

And the old train knew as it jogged along, with its "Back to Budapest! Back to Budapest! A ticket to Budapest.”

(The End)

CHRISTMAS

Gifts

that will appeal to the

GOLFER

ARE

SPALDINGS

GOLF CLUBS

AND

“NEEDLED” TOP-FLITE

AND

"KRO-FLITE"

GOLF BALLS

IN ATTRACTIVE

CHRISTMAS BOXES

HER SPECIAL WEAKNESS

The postmistress of Plumpville was in bad odour. The villagers whispered that she tampered with the Plumpville packages; they murmured that she perused the Flumpville postcards. They didn't trust her.

A little boy entered the Plump ville post-office, bearing between . bis podgy fingers a large piece of rich Christmas pudding..

"My ma sends this to you with her compliments," recited the youth, “and would you please eat as much as you can?”:

The postmistress was delight-

"How very kind of your mother to remember me!” she exclaimed. "Does she know I have a special

weakness for Christmas pud- ding?"

"Yes, she does,” replied the youngster; "so she thought she'd give you some this afternoon be- fore she sent any off to her. friends, just to take the edge off your appetite?"

CHRISTMAS SEEDS:

“Do" you sell zi sorts of seeds?** asked seven-year-old Dorothy.

"Yes," replied the shopman.. “And do they always blossom?”” "Yea, miss.”

“Then I want some seeds which will grow into a tree like that one in the window with dolls,

'an' toys, an' sweets, an every-

thing!"

OBTAINABLE FROM:

LANE, CRAWFORD, LTD.

MAMAK & COMPANY

All Golf Club Houses

HONG KONG AGENTS:

GILMAN & CO., LTD.