The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1909-02-25
NOT ON THE MENU.
by w. II. Keller.


tinued hum and murmur of low
pitched voices, all the interminable
sounds of the restaurant surround
cd him, but he sat quite still, with
his chin resting In his hands, staring
at the empty chair opposite to him.
The sight OF pretty women, we'll
groomed men, all the bright, lively
scene around him did not entice him
from his reverie even for moment.
At last Travers nervously drained
the cup to the last drop, and then,
YEARLY passing his hand across his
forehead, he assumed his former at
titude. Dreamily he fixed his eyes on
the chair. and then began talking in
n sort Of breathless whisper, rs If to
some one seated therein:
Mamie, Mamie it's so good to
see you again. Let's see, It's been
three years, almost, since that last
time when-but we won't think of
that now. wen just be happy. Tell
me, is your life happy. is he good to
Won? If he isn't-Oh, II ! had only
cared less what people might say, II
7 could have forgotten my miserable
nride. we'd run off some place and
been married ip spite OF your uncle
and his money, wouldn't we? Yes,
know"
After time, Travers knew not
how long, he pulled himself together
and looked up. He glanced at what
had been the empty chair, rubbed
his eyes and looked again. A GIRL In
n light opera cloak smiled across at
him.
Eyes, Bobbie, I'm real" Then.
anxlously, as he continued rigidly
staring at her. "Bobbie, don't you
know me?"
Travers had become very pale. He
sat, ,tensely grasping the arms Of his
chair, mutely drinking in the picture
before him.
He half rose out of his chair and,
crushing both her hands In his,
raised them almost to his lips, then
realizing that many curious glances
were being cast In their direction. he
released her and sank back.
DO you know, L" he began,
hesitatingly.
"Yes?" she murmured. leaning
forward, her eyes never leaving his
face, you we're saying?"
DO you know, was Just thinking
of you-wondering where you were.
what you were doing, whether-you
were happy or not: tell me, you are
happy with him, are you not?"
with him! With whom7"
"Why. your-husband."
my husband! have no-why.
Bobbie, I'm not married."
YOU'RE - not - married. But
Saunders, what about Saunders7
You know. after I left thought you
would"
"Yes. yes, know you thought.
you thought - oh, Bobbie, you
thought too much-you had no right
to think that would marry him.
You thought you would go away and
let me enjoy my uncles bounty, but
you had no right to think that I
wanted"
But Nan. / did II for the best,
don't you see?"
She stopped and drew back. GRIM
soning. the tears creeping into her
voice and her eyes.
It was now Travers' turn to lean
forward. Tremblingly he reached
into his breast and pulled forth a
tiny lace handkerchief. crumpled and
dark with pocket CRIME. Unfolding
it, he spread 1t out before her.
why, that's mine," she Quavered.
ITS the one you stole from me at
the Martin dance and then wouldn't
give back"
Yes, that's it. And I've kept It
with me ever since-always. But"
a thought striking him. Your
mother?"
At this she seemed suddenly to re-
member her position. Sitting a sob
she caught at her cloak, and, hastily
rising, looked across the room.
Travers reached over and gently
pushed her down.
You're not going Just yet" he
said. quietly. mot for all the mothers
in the world"
II don't know why came over
here, Bobbie," she murmured. ner-
vously twisting the handkerchief
around her finger. "Mr. Saunders
took me to a table over there and
then went out to look for mother.
who was coming behind with Mr..
Burdick; and when looked around
and saw you / was SO glad l didn't
even stop to think, but just"
Saunders" he interrupted rough
ly, 81 thought"
Yes" she said hurriedly. "he
never seems to give up. It's impos-
sible to make him understand that
we can only be friends. and mother
won't understand" Closing her eyes
wearily. Between them both al
most go crazy sometimes"
Hang Saunders and his whole
crowd" he choked out, grasping her
hands and kissing them again and
again, this time utterly oblivious to
his surroundings. II lost you once.
three wears ago Nan Weatherby.