The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1901-01-19
AT the RESTAURANT
BY Lola Mitchell.

0S<SSSScS<SSSScSSSSSSS SSSSSsSsSSSSSSSsScSSSSSp
1t was o'clock, and the lights glow
cd brightly against the outer darkness
seeming to send forth an invitation for
all who passed to enter.
A woman sat Mt one Of the little tn
bles, waiting for her ordc- to be filed,
when a man entered and. all the rest
being taken, was motioned into a chair
opposite her. For moment the wom-
an flushed, and the man bit his lip and
hesitated, as men do when fate has
played them an unpleasant trick, but
as he sat down her sense of humOr
came to the rescue and she laughed, a
low, ripping laugh, like the song Of
birds and the music of dancing waters.
To be sure, they had not met for
three years, and she had come to the
city to secure the divorce which she
knew he was all too anxious to grant,
and yet what a joke it was that she
should spend this first evening In a res
taurant tete-a-tete with her husband,
for such he still was
Hearing the slight sound OF her
mirth. the man looked up, flushed and
embarrassed, but bowling formally.
She was surely handsome woman,
Of that rare type that improves after
the thirtieth milestone is passed. and
he found himself noticing, with touch
of pride, the admiring glances cast
upon her.
1t was a table d'hote dinner, and the
woman glanced over the menu.
Chicken soup. Harry was always
fond of it," thought she. 81 wonder IL
he still puts in an extra bit Of saltT'
And she glanced across the table, only
to meet a pair Of questioning eyes, and,
blushing, bent resolutely over her plate.
The courses followed. Over her roast
pigeon there fell a most unreasonable
tear. Once, in the olden days, she had
been i'll, and he had gone out with his
gun to shoot a bird for her. thinking
that 1t might tempt her tickle appetite,
but the gun had exploded, and when
they brought him home his hand was
wrapped in bloody bandages. She
wondered If the scar showed. but did
not dare look again.
AS for the man, there was n tighten
ing at his throat as he sat and watched
her while dish after dish was taken
away, scarcely tasted.
She used to make biscuit just like
those. and once when he had found her
in the kitchen and kissed her, with her
hands in the pan she had powdered Ills
face, laughing as he had heard her for
|, an instant that evening.
What foolish children they were.
But what folly was that which prompt
ed them 10 quarrel and her to go back
TO her mother? Three years ago! lie
had grown very old in that time, very
weary Of life. and he wondered IL she
had been happy.
At the table back Of them a little
child laughed. and both faces grew
troubled. There had been baby once
In their home, but after the angels took
it everything seemed to go wrong lie
looked up again, but she was dividing
q piece of chocolate cake and apparent
ly had not noticed the sound.
Carefully she slipped her fork into 1t.
That was an old trick Of hers, and she
always did II so daintily that one for
got If 1t were correct form or not.
Sometimes she used to slip a morsel
thus impaled into his mouth. and then
he gave her a kiss in payment. What
II she should now?
How much happier they were when
they were childish and used to love
each otherlo Used to love each other!
Why had they ever stopped loving?
Surely she seemed dearer tonight than
ever before. His own little wife, for a
week longer at least, and who could
tell? Something might happen to bring
them together again. If 1t only would,
then he could stay at home and give up
the Cuban trip. At homel How pleas
ant the sound of the wordsl He felt a
thrill of JOY that the house had remain
ed Just as it was when she went away.
linen lie lDOhtu USANSS NHN -
BILE. all his soul in bis eyes, yearning,
eager glance in which were commin-
gled the fires Of youth and the full
strength of manhood.
She was still poising the bit Of cake
on her fork half meditatngly. Sudden
ly she looked uD, with the old daring,
mlschieyous smile, and reached the
dainty morsel across to him. Bending
down, he took it between bis lips, and
then rising, as II to 60 to her, he said;
"You know the penalty for that,
Katep
She put up her hand and blushed.
"Not here; not herew she exclaimed.
"Where, thenT he returned.
"Lets go home" she replied eagerly.
"Never to leave itY' he responded.
"You forgive meY"
81 was to blame, DEAR" she answer
ed. And they went out together.
AS they left the room an old man
near the door chuckled: Honeymoon
ersl But who'd "a thought 1t at first"
What to Eat
what Half a Crown Did.