The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1912-03-13
By TEMPLE BAILEY.
Copyright. 1912. by the Associated
Literary Press.)

Literary Press)
1t was at midnight that Margrave'
coming out of his office after several
hours of nerve-racking work over
some legal papers, faced the iiiu-
mined square.
The air was warm and sprtnglike.
with the hint of summer that comes
now and then in March.
In one block and down two Mar
grave knew of a. little place where
one could get chop and salad. he
was hungry and he turned his steps
northward. anticipating the savory
odors which would greet him when
he opened the door.
But he WAS not destined 10 open
that door for many days to come, for
AS he turned the first corner some
one said breathlessly: Can You tell
me" and stopped.
Margrave uttered an exclamation.
"When--where?" was all he could
say.
Let me CO." said the girl. and be-
gan to walk rapidly away from him.
Margrave followed her. 'kath-
crime" he cried, let me speak to
you'll"
But she went on and on, blindly.
II must talk to YOU he said. land
shall not leave you. That police
man at the corner is wondering al IL
Is Don't make 1t any harder for me
or for yourself than 1t must be-.
She slowed her pace somewhat.
Il don't know what you have 10
say to me-" she said. with Il strange.
subdued note of ficrceDess. hut /
suppose / shall have to hear you
Margraye was trying to think OF
some place that he could take her.
where she would not be subjected to
criticism. The little cafe would not
do, II was too Bohemian. A taxic7io
whizzing by. with bags beside the
driver. gave him an idea.
I'VE can have supper in the lunch
room at the railroad station ne
said Its open for belated travellers"
(Which way" she gasped. and as
he turned her face and pointed down
the Koiden-lighted lane of u narrow
street. she said regretfully, 1T was
there / wanted to go. l was about
to ask you to- tell me how to reach
1t. when l saw that It was YOU"
But how do you happen TO be out
this time of night?' He had known
her as the carefully chaperoned
daughter of wealth. She had always
seemed so safe in the conventional
II am out every night" she said,
bitterly. II do hair dressing. When
father died. and mother and I were
left without anything. thought
could earn money. And tried to put
my accomplishments to use. tried
to write and 10 teach music. and
found that there We're others WHO
could do It SO much better. And
found. too. that there was more money
in artistic hair dressing than IN any
thing else. and so--behold met"
She flung out her hands In a ges-
ture that brought back the memory
Of happier days.
Most OF my work 10 uptown. and I
rarely venture 70 far down. take
the trains In and out. But tonight l
must have boarded the wrong chr.
For am In an utterly unfamiliar sec
ton of town, and i couldn't find a
policeman to ask. and somehow you"
iooked-different from most OF the
men ] met
He shuddered as he thought OF the
that fate had kept him late at the
office.
They had reached the big station.
and found. ~ Margrave had prophe-
sled. that they could get something
to eat at the lunch counter.
Perched on the high vools, Kath-
crime laughed for the first time. IT'S
like one OF our old time larks.
Frank" she said.
He blessed her for that informai
Frank"
You're going to have pancakes
and maple syrup and some OF those
little broiled sausages that they are
famous for. You need something sub
stantial."
She wouldn't have admitted to him
for moment how hungry she was
and how restful 1t was to he made
TO do comfortable things.
Il should probably have ordered a
cup Of consomme. n you had left It
to me-" she told him, ''but the pam
cakes are temptation"
There was no one In tho long room
except themselves. q tired conductor
snatchinE q hasty bite. and weary
and bored waiter.
Now tell ma MarGrave insisted,
where you are living. II you knew
how have searched for you.'
Her serious eyes were turned upon
him. Here IN tho great gloomy half
lighted lunch room her beauty shone