The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1902-12-07
The Fight Of McTerza. By Frank H Sp

McTerza. and. pushing her girdle down
eoldly walked front, half perched on
stool, and looked listlessly out the
window
Cool" ventured McTerza. as he
stirred lump of sugar hopefully into
mis- purchase. Kate made no comment
on the observation.
could I have little c-c-condf.nsed
milk. inquired McTerza prese ntly.
This se-sc-crean1s looks pretty itch.
he added, stirring thoughtfuily as he
spoke at the poe of mustard, which
was the only liquid in sight.
Kate Mullenix glared contemporary
at him. but she passed out a jug of
cream-and t was cream. From the
defiance o. her face as she resumed
her attitude she appeared to expect
a protest about the cold coffee. None
came McTerza drank the stuff very
slowly. blowing it carefully the while,
as if it was burning him up. 1t vexed
Kate.
How much?" asked McTerza
humbly as he swallowed the last drop
before it froze to the spoon and fished
for a dime to square his account.
Twenty-Five cents" He started
slightly, but reached again into his
pocket and, without a word, produced
a quarter. Kate swept it into the
drawer with the royal indifference of
a circus fakir and resumed her stool.
''C-c-cOuld 1 get another c-c-cup?''
asked McTerza, patiently 1t looked
like a defiance; however, she boldly
poured a second cup of the cold cof-
fee and McTerza tackled it.
After an interval of silence he spoke
again. do you sell tickets on c-eoffee
here2" She looked at him with a ques-
tioning insolence. y mean, c-cOuld a
fellow buy chance-or get into raf-
fe on the h-h-h-hot tank?" asked Nc
Terra, throwing a sad glance on the
live coffee urn, which steamed costly
beside its silent companion.
That tank is empty snapped Kate
MuIlenix recklessly, for in spite of her
self she was getting confused.
IF it is suggested McTerza. peel :
ing gravely underneath at the jet OF
gas that biazed merrily. you ought to
draw your fire: you're liable 10 b-burn
your c-c-crOwn sheet
What's the matter?" demanded Kate
angrily; is your coffee cold?''
oh, no. he responded, shaking his
head and waiting for the surprising
disclaimer to sink ia. Not exactly
cold; it's just dead
I'VE don't serve Reading men here, -
retorted Kate defiantly
Oh, yes, you Co." responded Nc
Terra, Frightening at once. You serve
them like t-t-tramps." Then, after &
pause: Gould 1 get cigar?''
Yes
How much is that kind?"
Fifty cents!" snapped Kate. CLAN
cling into the street for some friendly
striker to appear.
L want a good one
That's a good one
Fifty cents a BIB bOx?''
Fifty cents apiece"
Give me small one, please"
He put down dollar bill as he took
the cigar. She threw a half back on
the case. At that moment in walked
two Of our boys. Curtis Rucker and Ben
Nicholson. McTerza had a great
chance to walk out. but he didn't i'm
prove it. Rucker and Ben were Reds.
both of them. Ben, in fact, was an old
terror at best. Curtis Rucker, was a
blackish, quick young fellow, fine as
silk in a cab. but a devil in a strike,
and what was more. a great adm1rer
of Kate Mullenix, and the mink knew
1t. As McTerZa bit off the end of MS
cigar and reached for the gas lighter
he noticed that her face lighted Won
derfully-