The Lake County times. [volume] (Hammond, Ind.) 1906-1933, 1906-06-21

You don't mean TO say that You are
going to be my first customer" she
gasped. THAT would spoil it all. I j
shan't let you in yet"
Il have no desire to patronize this
feature" he said Jelly. MY aid shall
be given in a more seemly manner"
Mrs McEwan has charge of the
booth where bachelor luxuries are set
forth. There are some stunning sofa
cushions and smoking jackets. Do you
know her, or shall introduce your
Il have sent in check" he said IF
l annoy you here l shall be glad to
take my departure .
He moved on. but it was hard to
keep away from the spot, and pres
emily he found himself again in the
vicinity of the booth.
In the meantime a crowd had gath
cred, and each seemed to be waiting
sheepishly for some one to break the
ice 1t was several minutes before
Tom Meeker paid his dollar and passed
through the curtains to an accompani-
ment of advice from those less bold.
There was a strained silence for a mo-
ment, then a mans laugh, and a second
later Meeker appeared.
Did you get il, Tom?" demanded
some one.
Il can prove it to you" he laughed.
"only promised not TO tell. Better go
in and see for yourself"
The inquirer paid up his dollar and
went in, and presently they were
Oh bn
moved away He could not stand there
and see the men crowding up to pay
for the privilege of kissing the girl he
loved, and he realized for the first time
now that he still did love Kitty and
that she was breaking his heart.
Several times he sought to leave, but
each time something held him back,
and he made his dismal rounds of the
hall, now making purchase at some
stall, now rousing himself with start
to realize that he had drifted back to
the vicinity Of the booth.
lie knew that he was the subject of
| almost as much comment as was Kitty
/ herself, and he resented the remarks
| he knew were being made, but he
/ courage to approach the booth
/ 1t was not until we'll toward the
/ close of the evening that Tom Meeker
ran across him. Had your kiss yet?''
he demanded. "say, it's great, isn't
H?"
II have no desire to purchase ca
resses, said Preston sti11y
ATaoI-or Io0Ivo5 IN ~, c,,,.fr
You can't afford to miss this" he
said. "Ill stand treat Come on
Preston resisted, but Meeker was a
giant in strength and fairly dragged
him across the hall to the booth The
crowd had dropped away, for most of
the visitors had paid their dollar, but
there were still number about as
Meeker came up with his victim.
THUG PrestoRs going to get his
he announced cheerfully. HE SAYS
he's opposed to kissing, but I'm going
to stand treat He threw a dollar
on the table and pushed Preston
through the curtains.
Kitty greeted him with smile.
Come for your kiss?" she asked brisk
ly. I thought you couldn't stay
away
Il had no desire to come" he said
severely. THAT young fool Meeker in
sisted upon making an ass of himself
by forcing my presence
Nov, that's too bad that you should
be compelled TO let another man pay
for your kiss she laughed. 81 had
hoped that / would get dollar from
you"
Preston regarded her curiously. She
had caught up a tiny jar and was rub
bing some red paste upon her lips
How will you have yours" she de
manded, full or cornerwise?"
Il tell you | don't want any, he in
sisted.
you've got to have one" she laugh
ed. "Since you have no choice I'll give
you full face"
She caught up a card and pressed il
to her lips, leaving an indistinct red
dish imprint ''Aou must not tell any
one the joke she commanded. There
are still some 1 have not sold yet. It:
the latest English fad. you know, bu
its not half SO bad as it sounds"
why did you let me make such
fool OF myself?" he cried.
you needed a lesson" explained
Kitty. Il think it was good for yol
to worry { title. Now, if you'll Civ,
me ring give you real kiss"
He handed her the ring and she of
fered her lips. He started back
You'll have to take that red stuff off
he suggested.
Kitty smiled up at him. Don't yo1