The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1911-12-13
BY MARTHA MCULLOCH WILL
IIAMS

| IIAMS.
| Copyright, 1911, by Associated Lit
erary press)
| Edison frowned as the girl took tho
| vacant seat opposite him. He dined
at Harney's oftener than he could
we'll afford because the place was so
much man-size. Women came there,
Ito be sure. but either in family par
ties, or properly escorted; that Is to
say, for the most part. He had once
+ or twice before seen the lone female
1 in search OF a meal. but only ONCE or
twice:
| This afternoon the lone woman WAS
particularly upsettjng. He had come
rather early-the day had been blis-
ltering--intent upon getting his pet
table. Just beside the fountain. There.
3if anywhere, one caught a breath OF
/ breeze, moreover the water play made
/ the air fresh, and the big skyiight
| overheard WAS sure TO be open The
Tiny table was hardly high enough for
two. Why had he not seized upon
/ In with him? Then he might have
smoked his cigar. slipping his coffee
the while. at peace with all the world,
! All this flashed upon him between
lines Of the sporting extra. In which
he affected to he buried. But even a
double header at the local park could
! not last longer than through the in
the regular dinner. ordering what he
chose The woman would be sure to
go right through all the courses else
affront masculine appetite with Iced
tea and chocolate eclairs.
A covert glance told him his table,
mate had not the chocolate eclair
complexion. Her skin was fine and
firm. Her hair looked alive--fine
tendrills dropped on her brow and
about the nape OF her neck. She was
sq1uietly gowned. In a soft sheer gray
something balrnost entirely lacking
trimmings. The lack recommended
her to Edison He was Illustrator.
with aspirations toward real art.
Good lines-aud she knows enough
not to spoil them he commented
linly. noting the while that the sleeves,
neither too tight nor too loose. re-
Iveaied something rare--a pair OF per-
feet dimpled wrists. Neither gloves
nor bangles marred them Indeed
tho lack of superfiuities throughout
was refreshing. Edison began to feel
that after all Fate had been kind
kinder than he deserved. Here was
Just the type he had been vainfy
seeking for a week--the girl In Ora
hams novel. about whom the author
himself was SO particular.
He wondered If he could recall her.
II he had dared he would have
sketched her outline unon his cuff
She did not seem to be watching him.
Yet he was aware she knew pretty
much what he did. She had answered
graciously enough the few common
places he had ventured without In
any way inviting their continuance.
Evidently she had come Tor a dinner
of herbs. Her meal began with canta-
loup and ended with sliced peaches
a double portion. In between there
were green corn and a crisp salad
And by way Of finale coffee. for which
Harney's was rather famous
The two came to coffee at the same
time though she had eaten deiicately
wit ha refined elaboration. Edison
fingered his cigar a thought irreso-
lutely. She smiled and said---the
first time she had spoken unnro-
voked: Light It. please--if you can
say honestly IT is good. Otherwise.
please wait until I get away"
Il wonder Y you really know
good cigar!" Edison answered. smil-
ing the least bit.
She nodded confidently. My father
thought me observation-disclosures men
and tobacco" she said. 80 T have
an inconvenient belief that neither
J. doesn't the belief make you
rather solitary?'' Edison hazarded.
She shook her head--Edson went on
Possibly. then. you are woman's
woman---
Another head shake interrupted
him. II am--mostly--a human be-
ing" she said. II have a she'll, Of
course-for f-protection-but most
times I leave 1t at home"