Republican news item. [volume] (Laport, Pa.) 1896-19??, 1901-10-17
DESTINED BY Fate.


distinguished looking, sitting opposite,
glanced up with assumed lazy indif-
ference and resumed eating.
The waiter was busy whisking
about his napkin, preparatory to being
paid.
Some more coffee, please" said the
girl, "I'll remain little longer"
The man disappeared, shortly re-
turning with the order.
She began to sip her coffee very
slowly Her table companion had am
pie opportunity of studying her. What
he saw was this:
A broad, smooth forehead, with
dark hair clustering in rebellious
curls around her temples; pair of
deep gray eyes, with long lashes; a
short, straight nose; dear little
mouth. and rather square Jaw, which
showed resolution and determination.
The hands, small, well kept and shape
ly, were devoid of rings.
Let me see," he mused, "the hat
cost one and siXpence three farthings,
and is home trimmed, very neat, and
suits her. The blouse was four and
eleven off the peg, and the lace round
the collar could be bought at any
cheap milliner's for seven three far
things the Dozen"
Waiter, one omlette aux fins
herbs" he said suddenly, to the man
who hovered round like a phantom
bat
He vanished like lightning. A few
minutes later the proprietor strolled
ur to the table, glanced suspectingly
at the girl, coughed once or twice,
then said:
1--WE shall be closing very soon, ma
dam. Are you expecting a friend?"
yes" was the answer. Il won't
wait much longer"
The waiter appeared again and add
ed the coffee to the bill.
"7hank you," said the girl, 'you
needn't stand here
The waiter withdrew Hillyard
smiled and began his omelette, which
had been brought him.
Pardon me, but | believe | am
right in saying that you haven't got
BILL" put in Hillyard at last, in a low
tone. THE manager, l fear. is of the
same opinion
For a moment her eyes flashed in
dignantly; the mouth quivered.
How dare you speak to me like
that?" she said. what do you take
me for?"
/ take you for what you area
lady, he answered gently.
The answer fabbergasted her for a
moment She could not meet his scru-
tinizing gaze.
pray allow me the favor of adding
your bill to mine, he continued calm
ly. You must admit that you are in
an awkward corner, and that your
friend is myth"
The waiter. somewhat agitated.
drew near again.
Curacao" he ordered sharply, and
the gentleman with the napkin disap-
peared with remarkable celerity.
Really" stanmered the girl, II
don't know what you mean"
81 mean what | say" he answered
firmly. 81 will repeat it again if you
wish. l don't believe you have the
money with"
She motioned him to desist.
Flush! hush. You have 70 right to
say that. Don't, please don't"
Her earliest entreaty compelled him
to stop.
"You cannot deny that am right"
he demanded, in a manner that plain
ly showed he would have a direct an
swer.
Her face vert a deep crimson.
eyes, you are right" she replied at
length, but with a great effort. 'It
was very, very wrong, | know, but |
was $3.50 hungry, and l thought that
-"
THAT it was possible you would
meet with good Samaritan" put III
Hillyard. accurately divining her
thoughts. "a very risky game to play
Suppose you had not met me-what
them"
She laughed uneasily.
''But you see, l did meet you"
Yet you seem very reluctant to al
low me to add your bill to mine"
The color famed her cheeks again.
at must be loan she declared
empnatically. Il came in here in
sheer desperation. You don't know
what it is to be poor, and oh, SO hun
cry"
Eyes, l do he answered quietly
Il am so sorry" she whispered
gently. 81 did not know. | had NJ
idea. l never thought
Pray don't apologize" he inter-
rupted, again assuming his lighter
vein. IF you are really sorry, you
will pass me your bill"
Believe me-" she replied gratefully,
handing him the flimsy bit of paper
Il am truly grateful. Fortune has
not been too kind to me of late
Nor to me- said Hillyard. Dame
fortune is tickle jade, and has to be
treated accordingly. Woo her too
much she often turns and rendS you