West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1909-12-30
the printed legend of the dental ''par.

the printed legend Of the dental "psr-
lors"
Rarely did the arch sprite adventure
need TO beckon twice TO Rudolf Stein
er. his true follower. But twice Il had
been done. and the quest was on.
Rudolf walked slowly back to where
the giant negro stood by the case of
rafting teeth. This time as he passed
he received no card. In spite OF hIs
gaudy ana ridiculous garb the EthIo-
plan displayed a natural barbaric dig
nifty as he stood. offering the cards
suavely 10 some. allowing others TO
pass unmolcsted. Every half minute
he chanted harsh. unlntelllgible
phrase akin TO the jabber OF car con-
ductors and grand opera. And not
only did he withhold card this time.
but Il seemed TO Rudolf that he receiv-
ed from the shining and massive black
countenance n look OF cold. almost con-
temptuous. disdaln.
The look stung the adyeuturer. He
read In II silent accusation that he
had been found wanting. Whatever
the mysterious written words on tho
cards might mean. the black had Sc
lected him twice from the throng for
their recipient and now seemed 10 have
condemned him as deficient In the wit
and spirit TO engage the enigma.
Standing aside from the rush. the
young man made rapid estimate OF
the building I'm which he conceived
that his adventure must lie. Five sto-
ries high II rose. small restaurant
occupied the basement
The first floor, now closed, seemed
to house millinery or furs. The sec
ond floor, by the winking electric let
ters, was the dentists. Above this n
polyglot babel of signs struggled to In
dicate the abodes OF palmists. dress
makers, musicians and doctors. Still
higher up draped curtains and milk
bottles white on the window sills pro-
claimed the regions OF domesticity.
After concluding bis survey Rudolf
walked briskly up the high flight of
stone steps into the house. Up two
flights Of the carpeted stairway he
continued and at it's top paused. The
hallway there was dimly lighted by
two pale Jets OF gas, one far to his
right, the other nearer to his left. He
looked toward the nearer light and
saw within its wan halo green door.
For one moment he hesitated; then he
seemed TO see the contumelious sneer
OF the African juggler OF cards. and
then he walked straight to the green
door and knocked against IL.
Moments like those that passed be-
fore his knock was answered measure
the quick breath OF true adventure.
What might not be behind those green
panels! Gamesters at play. cunning
rogues batting their traps with subtle
skill, beauty In love with courage aud
thus planning to be sought by IL. dan.
ger, death, love, disappointment, ridi-
cule-any OF these might respond to
that temerarious rap.
A faint rustic was heard inside. and
the door slowly opened. A girl not yet
twenty stood there white faced and
tottering. She loosed the knob and
swayed weakly. cropping with one
hand. Rudolf caught her and laid her
on faded couch that stood against
the wall. He closed the door and took
swift glance around the room by the
light OF pickering gas Jet. Neat but
extreme poverty was the story that he
read
The girl lay still as II In n faint.
Rudolf looked around the room excit-
edly for a barrel. People must be
rolled upon barrel who-no. no; that
was for drowned persons. He began
to fan her with his hat That was
successful, for he struck her nose with
the brim of his derby. and she opened
her eyes. And then the young man
saw that hers. indeed, was the one
missing face from his hearts gallery
Of intimate portraits. The frank gray
eyes, the little nose. turning pertly
outward; the chestnut hair, curling
the right end and reward OF all his
wonderful adventures. But the face
was woefully thin and pale.
The girl looked at him calmly and
then smiled.
Painted, didn't II" she asked weak
ly. "Well. who wouldn't? You try
going without anything to eat for
three days and seer
"HimmelP' exclaimed Rudolf, jump
ing up. "Wait till come back"
He dashed out the green door and
down the stairs. In twenty minutes
he was back again. kicking at the
door with his toe for her to open 1t.
With both arms he hugged an array
OF wares from the grocery and the
restaurant On the table he laid them
bread and butter. cold meats. cakes,
pies. pickles, oysters, roasted chicken,
bottle OF milk and one OF redhot tea.
''Thls Is ridiculous" said Rudolf
blusteringly, Ito 60 without eating.
You must quit making election bets
OF this kind. Supper is ready" He
helped her 10 n chair at the table and
asked. "Is there n cup for the tea p
"On the shelf by the window" she
answered When he turned again
with the cup he saw her. with eyes
shining rapturously. beginning upon n
huge dill pickle that she had rooted
out from the paper bags with a wo-
mans unerring instinct. He took II
from her laughingly and poured the
cup full Of milk Drink that hrst," ("
he ordered, "and then you shall have
some tea and ther n chicken wing. II
you are very good you shall have a
pickle tomorrow And now. n you'll
allow me 20 be your guest. we'll have
supper"
He drew up the other chair The tea
frightened the girls eyes and brought
back some OF her color. She began to
eat with a sort OF dainty ferocity like
some starved animal She seemed 10
regard the young man and the aid
he had rendered her rs n natural thing
not as though she undervalued the
conventions. but as ono whose great
stress gave her the right TO put aside