The Washington times., 1911-01-31

~ AVID had ceased cooking his
own meals since he had moved
j from his basement room, and
had become a boarder at the
Pan-American Cafe When he, Rogers,
and Tom appeared at breakfast next
morning the Mayor, pale and impatient,
Yet striving to look composed, hurried
over to their table
1 want to see you as soon as you're
through eatin'," he whispered in David's
ear
"All right" said David.
The Mayor kept an impatient eye on
David, and when the breakfast was
done he was at David's side. hat in
hand.
I've got a key to the Liberty Assembly
Hall. Let's go over there" And max
ing excuses to Rogers, he led David out.
The big ballroom, scattered about with
the debris of the previous nights pleas
ure, had in the cold light morning a
look of desolation which even the mural
cascades and seas and mountains could
not dispel. The room was fit setting
for the despairing face the mayor
turned upon David when the hall door
was locked behind them. Fhe mayor
did not speak for several seconds, held
his gaze straight on David; then he
shouted, his mask of self-control flung
aside
well, you see me! What d'you think
O. me?''
What's up?"
IT'S all up! I've gone and done it"'
Done what?'
"What!-Tve done it!-I'm engaged"
There was frantic hopelessness in the
Mayors voice and in the Mayors face.
You don't say so!" David calculated.
Il did say soi'
at the Mayors desperate appearance.
Engaged! You don't look it!''
"A-a-h! Quit your, kiddin'!" roared the
Mayor fierceiy. This his amt nothin to
10 which one?" David queried, with
the required gravity.
Carrie Becker. l know she'd get me.
Oh! she's a slick one all right! Say.
five dollars an hour, get busy!'
He began to pace wildly to and fro
across the room, then let himself drop
with a groan into a chair beneath an
Alpine cascade, so that 1t seemed as If
the water yere splashing on his polished
head.
1T was last night-in this d hall
in that d. corner there-that 1t hap
penedw' he burst out to David, who had
taken a chair beside him. The hall was
all fixed up fancy. TheIe was line O.
them green, shiny, greasy-looking per-
Petuated palms across each corner.
What's anybody want hall fixed like
that for?-ain't the old way good
enough, I'd like to know?
Them palms made little holes. with
settecs inside, that the women could
rope you into. CoZy and invitin'? Oh,
sure! And about how many unmarried
females in the bunch 6'you think missed
irwin to lead me in? Nary a blamed
one. But was wise to their little game,
and I says to myself: None of them
palms for miner
II balked every time they led me
that way-till that last dance with Car
rie Becker. I was prancing along with
her in nv arms, comfortable and think
in nothin' about danger. when she says
her shoes united and won't / fasten it.
I'll bet nv hat she undone it herself,
and on purpose!
We'll, in I went behind her, doubled
myself Up and fastened her shoe. I held
out nv arm to her. but she said she
was out O. breath, and didn't want to
rest a minute, and she throwed me up a
even II II has been workin' forty years.
Right there's where I ought tive run,
but didn't. ! set down.
"The window was open, and outside
was a new moon. Well, she leaned over
close to me-you know how they do it!-
ard began to talk about that maan. 1t
looked like a niece O. pie-crust a man
leaves on his plate. ] knew it was time
for me to be movin'. and I started up
good and quick. But lust then her hand
happened to fall on mine-accident, oh,
sIre-and what do you think l done?
Did run? Mo- I'm a fool! set down.
And it was good-bv for ME.
when woman gets hold o my
hand she's got hold O. my rudder, and
she can steer me just about where
she likes Outside was the moon;
there behind them palms, playing goo
goo music was the orchestra, and