The Washington herald., 1907-04-05
THANKS TO THE METER
BY JAMES CLEGG.

Please. have you a quarter
The girl from across the hall held out
tiny hand, in the palm Of which we're
displayed three nickels and a dime.
Keenly conscious that there was a hole,
most comfortable and satisfactory
hole, In the elbow Of his smoking jacket,
Digby held out his own hand. unclosing
his fingers to display the desired coin.
Did you know that 7 was coming
after it," she said. with a laugh. Digby
had never heard her laugh before. 1t was
low, ripping laugh. almost as attrac-
tive as her smile. He wondered how he
could improve his opportunity. Ever since
she had moved in he had wanted to know
the Girl Across the Hail. Had his mother
been home, it would have been all sim
pie. but he had been keeping bachelor
hall for nearly three months.
Did you know I wanted the quarter
she repeated. Digby pulled himself to-
gether.
Il am a seventh son.. he declared sol
EMMY. Il know that you want the
quarter. I can see you returning 10 your
apartment. 1 can see you climbing on
NAitAA anu tAOhBAii6 TIC Yum AtiNN AAAN 6tA@
meter. I can see the light growing bright
again. Great is the automatic meter.
when you have a quarter
Yes. when" she cried THE other day
we only had a check, and no one could
cash it.
Say no more" he commanded, tragi-
caIly. Il know the rest"
I'm very much obliged" she said
gratefully. you are sure you won't
need one?r
Not at ALL" he assured. AS though
10 prove him false, the gas in his hall
grew dim. 4 have more change" he ex-
planned. and it's all right"
He watched her Tegretfully as she
slipped back into her own apartment. lie
had planned many brilliant encounters in
which he would hold her inthralled by
his Wit. and they would live happily ever
after. Instead he had never been so dull.
and perhaps he had lost his chance.
The gas had gone out as he closed the
door and limped into the kitchen. He
knew very we'll that It was useless 10
search for quarter. He had found the
one he had just given up only after a
search. He would have to fail back on
candles There were half a dozen in the
dining-room and by lighting four he man
aged to read after a fashion.
But he had scarcely settled himself 10
his reading when the doorbeIl rams again.
He wondered who II might be now. as
he made his way down the dark hall
The Girl Across the Hall stood there
again.
''You fbbed." she said. reproachfuily.
you said you had another quarter for
yourself. You let me drop yours In our
meter, and We can see across the shaft
that you're using candles
I rather like them" ne assured, but
she would have none Of It,
You were just going 10 drop the coin
in the meter" she cried, THAT is why
you had it in your hand"
In the face of deduction he was dumb
The girl went on:
Il know you can't go downstairs TO
get change because you hurt your ankle
1t wouldn't be any use, anyway. It's
Sunday and only the drug store is open
and they are all out of quarters. ] was
down there just before I asked you for
one. Mother says you must come IN our
fiat and read You may smoke all you
ike. We don't mind it in the least"
Il am very comfortable" he protested
The opportunity ne had longed for had
come and he was too bashful TO avail
himself of il. In the end. the girl, in her
masterfui little way, carried her point.
Presently he was installed in the pleas
ant parlor and was telling motherly Mrs.
FallOws all about his trials without his
mother.
1T must be so lonesome for YOU" she
cried. why didn't you come to Us long
agO?"
i've wanted to" he admitted frankly
Sometimes I've seen the light and I've
been SO h0mesick. We only moved here
just before my gTandmOthers illness took
mother West, and ] never got acquainted
with any one. All of our friends live on
the other side of town"
I'VE come from the country, where we
are used to being neighborly." she eX~
planned. Il want you to feel that you
are welcome here any time"
There was a sincerity In her tones that
brought a genial glow 10 Digbys heart,
and the girl Che knew now her name was
EtheD seconded her mother with a glance,
That night was but the beginning of q
new life for Digby. The following even
ing he brought home a box of candy as a
return courtesy and was invited 20 spend
the evening. so gradually he fell into the
habit of dropping in after dinner. There
were trips 10 the theateT. little excursions /
on Sunday. and even when he had word
from his mother that she had decided to
remain West for the summer, he did not
offer objection.
The more he was with Ethel the more
deeply in love he became. He had never
known many women, and this charming
girl was the first he had ever loved. Of /
ten he would declare to himself that he |
would propose. but each time his courage
failed him
Then one night came the climax, The
gas began to flicker and burn low and
Ethel left the room to drop in the coin |
that would turn on the flow again He |
heard match strike ia the kitchen, |
where the gas had not been lit then |
came an explosion, and he rushed down |
the narrow hall.
In some fashion the meter had sprung |
aleak and the lighted match had caused |
the ignition of the gas. Ethel, her light /
gown abiaze, came staggering blindly |
toward him. He had his coat OF before |
they met and threw it about her should |
ers. forcing her to the carpet that the /
blaze might not be able TO gain Roadway /
toward her face. The gas in the apart |
ment had been extinguished and he was |
forced to work in the dark. but he beat |
out the flames with his hand and then |
rushed into the kitchen TO check the flow
of gas.
II was easy to extinguish the flames |
there and shut of the gas AZ the inlet. |
Then he opened the doors from their |
o-,.. 90 Ia