The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1911-11-20
You want re dinrair?" he asked.
( have vair' 500. soup and entries


Marston looked at the small tin sign
Maison Perdreauav-which he had
not before perceived He had not
noticed i, because It was fastened in.
sonsyicucusly Beside the basement
eoor. He was Standing before one of
The smaller French restaurants that
dot that rart of the own-restaurants
that cut no figure IN Where To Dine.
And it suddenly occurred to him that
ne had never seen the inside of real
French restaurant, such as one reads
about il the papers.
On. all right" he said carelessly.
II have fo-Eet something before l
go looking fora Job. How much?"
Forty cents" replied the French
man.
Evidently. my friend" cried Mars
ton with emotion, YOU think you are
taking to a member OF the Pittsburg
nobility. II SO. wake up. 1 was hold
ing down an eleven dollar job and pay
ing hIteen 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 an oblong envelope.
Then give you 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
trenchman anxiousiy.
Sure can: it's from lawyer
"Well?" asked the Frenchman, more
enxicusiy still.
Marston stood watching a page of
John Keats curl into sudden flame.
1t VIII cost you dinner" he said
firmly.
The Fren cli11an nodded agreement,
and Marstoa tegan to explain the let
Ter. which concerned the playful man
ners OF Mr.. perdreaux's chickens;
winch gallant birds. escaping from the
coop IN which they had come from
market, were in the habit of dropping
INTO the f1ower-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. 1t had
something of the chill of a seaside
cave, and the battered tables and still
more battered sideboard seemed like
driftwood flung ashore after 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 slim little creature of
about twenty, with dark hair and eyes
and a wonderfully smooth skin. But
her eyes looked red, as though she had
heen crying; which Marston wisely de-
cided was no business of his.
Marston was quite cntranced by the
air of mystery surrounding the Mai
son Perdreaux." He forgot the wait
ress and her eyes; and was therefore
all the more unpleasantly reminded
when, as she bent over the table, a
tear splasbed down upon his hand
He wiped away the tear with his
napkin and shpok his head warningly.
Come now. None of that" he cried.
Il amt sentimental. And amt
geranium that nssd4.watering, either
But his protest was entirely un-
needed. An ancient doorbell changed
In the passage, and a tall man, in a
light spring suit, became visible
through the window curtains.
A flash of JOY TRANSPORTED the girls
face. She gave 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'ryt'ing."
Marston nodded. with his mouth
!ull He looked about the quaint old
room-at this time of day
quite cmpty-and a 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
we're engaged. Jules earned good
money; he was a barber on Seventh
Avenue, with shop of his own. But
ne dressed extrayagantly, and was al
ways in debt. He even borrowed from
Marie. And lately there had been
luarrels. And Marie had been ne
elected.
Marston listened carelessly, his mind
intent upon thousand plans for the
-Gture. And then Marie came In, her
face aglow. She ran to her uncle and
began to talk, gesticulating so rapidly
hat Marston felt himself becoming
siddy. But her uncle was far from
being giddy; on the contrary. he
seemed distinctly self-possessed as he
irew bill from his pocket and handed
It to Marie. Next minute she had run
% the door. and Perdreaux had come
5rumbling to Marston's table.
She get no more money for one
mont" he explained in a tone of dis
gust. Jules borrow everything. Him
10 good, that FELL"
Marston was working through the
bill of fare with grim determination.
ind as he worked his thoughts were
ousy-bnsy not with Marie's affairs.
1ut 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
he occupant of the hall-bedroom was
provided with a better position than
he one of which John Keats had aided
n deDriving him.
Presently Marie reantered, her face
-adiant With a nod she ran to the
Jack OF the room, and from a hook
ook down a hat and q spring jacket.