Arizona republican., 1911-07-27

Marston looked at the small tin sign
| -"Maison PerdreaIN (which he had
| not before perceived. lie had not
| noticed it because 1t was fastened in
| conspicuously beside the basement
| door. He was standing before one of
the smaller French restaurants that
| dot that part of the town-restaurants
that cut no figure in Where To Dine"
And It suddenly occurred to him that
he had never seen the inside of real
French restaurant, such as one reads
about in the papers.
"Oh, all right" he said carelessly.
I'll have TO get something before |
go looking for job. How much?"
Forty cents" replied the French
man.
Evidently, my friend" cried Mars
ton with emotion, you think you are
talking to a member of the PittsbUTg
nobility. II so, wake up. | was hold
ing down an eleven dollar job and pay
ing fifteen cents for my lunch. Now
| amt holding down any job at all"
The Frenchman caught his arm.
Can you explain me this letter?' he
cried holding out en- oblong envelope.
Then l give you a dinner for fifteen
cent"
From the envelope Marston took out
letter, which he read carefully. Then
he handed it back.
You can't read eet?" asked the
Frenchman anXiOusly.
"Sure l can; it's from a lawyer"
"Well?" asked the Frenchman, more
anxiously still.
Marston stood watching a page Of
John Keats curl into a sudden flame.
1t viii cost you a dinner" he said
firmly.
The Frenchman nodded agreement,
and Marston began to explain the let
ter, which concerned the playful man.
ners OF Mr.. PerGreaux's chickens:
which gallant birds, escaping from tho
coop in which they had come from
market, were in the habit of dropping
into the flower-garden next door. After
hearing which the Frenchman heaved
deep sigh and took his guest within.
The interior of the "Maison Per
dreauX', which was large basement,
was very dim and very shabby. IL had
something of the chill of a seaside
cave, and the battered tables and still
more battered sideboard seemed like
driftwoOd flung ashore after a storm.
But the soup was excellent. and the
trim little French waitress who served
it did her best TO explain the menu in
pantomime.
She was a slim little creature Of
about twenty, with dark hair and eyes
and a wonderfully smooth skin. But
I, 81 e.bn hol
been crying; which Marst0n wisely de-
cided was no business of his.
Marston was quite entranced by the
air of mystery surrounding the Mai
son PerdreaUx." lie forgot the wait
ress and her eyes; aud was therefore
all the more unpleasantly reminded
when. as she beat ever the table, a
tear splashed down upon his hand.
He wiped away the tear with his
napkin and shool; his head warningly.
Come now, None of that" he cried.
IL amt sentimental. And l amt a
geranium that needs watering, either"
But his protest was entirely IN
needed. An ancient doorbell changed
in the passage, and tall man, in a
light spring suit, became visible
through the window curtains.
A flash of Joy TRANSPORTED the girls
face. She gave a cry, upset glass of
water, and ran to the door.
Mr.. Perdreaux came forward to re-
pair damages. "She no mean harm"
he explained. Jules come; she for
get ev'ryting."
Marston nodded. with his mouth
full. He looked about the quaint old
fashioned room-at this time of day
quite empty-and 4 feeling of entire
satisfaction took possession of him.
Going to be married." Marston
asked.
The stout Frenchman explained that
Marie was his niece. and she and Jules
were engaged. Jules earned good
money; he was barber on Seventh
Avenue, with q shop Of his own. But
he dressed extravagantly, and was al
ways in debt. He even borrowed from
Marie And lately there had been
quarrels. And Marie had been ne
elected.
Marston listened carelessly, his mind
intent upon a thousand plans for the
future. And then Marie came in, her
face aglow. She ran to her uncle and |
began to talk, gesticulating so rapidly |
that Marston felt himself becoming |
giddy. But her uncle was far from |
being giddy; on the contrary. he |
seemed distinctly self-possessed as he |
drew bill from his pocket and handed |
it to Marie. Next minute she had run |
to the door, and Perdreaux had come |
grumbling to Marston's table.
"She get no more money for one |
mont" he explained in a tone of dis |
gust Jules borrow everything. Him |
no good, that fell"
Marston was working through tho |
bill of fare with grim determination, |
and as he worked his thoughts were |
busy-busy not with Marie's affairs, |
but with those of the occupant of a
certain hall-bedroom in the Bronx.
When he finished his dinner he was
going to make it his duty to see that /
the occupant of the hall-bedroom was
provided with a better position than
the one of which John Keats had aided
in depriving him.
Presently Marie reentered. her face
radiant 8 With a nod she ran to the
back of the room, and from hook
took down a hat and a spring Jacket.