Virginia citizen. (Irvington, Va.) 1891-1921, 1905-05-12
Miss
War1;ng,S
Escort
BY
OHIO
b.
SENCd
e.y,.sh.. la0.. ), o.A. 3. s..s.

Six shabbily dressed men lounged In
front of the fashionable hotel. Five.
evidently comrades. conferred together
in low tones; then one approached the
sixth man, saying guardedly, Are you
one OF us!''
The man smiled half satirically.
Nav; I'm de real ting, see?''
His questioner turned away I'm dis
gust
The man laughed softly, the low, en-
5oyable laugh of one who appreciates.
A tall young woman whose attire evil
denced wealth and refinement entered
the hotel vestibule.
One OF the five groaned softly.
"Who is she, Dyke?" eagerly ques-
toned another.
Miss Kate Warning of Denver.
Worth half million and eccentric.
Visiting Cousin Dorothy. And me in
this beastly tramps rigr'
Miss Warnings stately entrance into
the great dining room was arrested by
the head waiter.
'This way, madam" courteously. ct
VIII conduct you to the ladies' dining
room.''
MISS w uIluS SluuCcU ABOUT ner.
ut Is not necessary" calmly. 81 will
remain here"
Pardon me, madam, but ladies with
out escorts are served in the room at
the right. / will conduct madam
Miss Warnings calm glance survey
ed the small crowded room at the right
and then returned to the great, cool
room in which she stood, with palms
and ferns in profusion. She noted the
many vacant tables and the number of
ladies present
81 do not wish to go in there pre-
fer to have dinner served here" max
ing the statement TRANQUILITY with the
air of one accustomed to have defer
ence accordeS her slightest wish
1.-The rule is imperative, madam"
with courteous firmness. Ladies' with
out escort
Reserve that table by the window
with the ferns beside it, the third on
the left" And the graceful figure
turned to the outer door.
There was no hesitancy in Miss War
ing's voice or manner as she addressed
the group of shabby men.
"Will one OF you gentlemen do me
a favorT" clearly and unsmilingiy.
Six shabby head coverings Were off
In an instant, and six more or less
manly forms bent low before her.
THANK you ALL" gravely. 'T want
one Of you to act as my escort and my
guest. that may be accorded the privi-
lege"-the scarlet lips curled trlhe-
of having my dinner where I have
chosen to have it. will ask you.
please" turning abruptly to the one
who had designated himself as ''de real
ting"
"Oh. but began one of the I'M
chosen eagerly.
Miss Warnings face and gesture for
babe further words.
Il thank you all for your courtesy.
II this gentleman accepts
1T Is n privilege, madam" bowling
gravely.
"'De real ting is hep cried Dyke
vengefully when they were out of hear
Ing. "Did you observe his speech and
that bow? He's one of the fellows set
to watch us-'
Nonsense. Dyke! There isn't n man
In the class as old as he. He's seen
actual tramping, I'll stake n thousand
on 1t. Why didn't you tell Miss War
ing who you are?"
Aren't we under oath not to dis
close our IDENTIFY" demanded Dyke
hotly. Besides, look at mer'
II ordered table reserved" said
Miss Warning to ''de real ting"
II see it-third on the left"
He led the way with easy grace, a
light OF amusement cleaning in his
dark eyes at the evident CONSERVATION
OF the waiter, who hesltated slightly
before seating the serene young lady
and her strange escort.
Miss Warning ordered the dinner with
precision and discrimination.
II hope" she remarked pleasantly
when the walter had gone-"I hope you
approve my order"
There was not the slightest embar-
rassment in her manner or condescen-
sion in her speech-the man was her
guest
THE order is perfect, madam. and.
permit me to say admirably given"
Miss Waring smiled.
"Are all OF Boston's"-she paused
for an instant in search OF a word that
might not embarrass her guest-"sub-
merged. such Chesteriields as the six
to whom / spoke?"
1.-The Others are Harvard students"
Harvard studentsr' In momentary
bewilderment. 'Oh. 1 know. They
are doing penance."
That is the meaning, madam. though
not the term they use"
"Are your lightly. yet with an anx-
ious tone In the low voice.
II am genuine hobo"
She passed her cardcase to him.
You should know who is your host
ess," graciously. land / will ask the
name OF my guest"
He took out two cards. writing on
the back OF one and returning it TO her
with the case
She glanced at the writing: