Evening star., 1912-07-14
CHAPTER III.
The Man Without a Smile.

CHAPTER III.
The Man Without Smile.
twilight, when hunger drove Cynthia and
Crittenden to offer themselves to the
critical consideration Of the person pre-
siding over the destiny of one of the sea-
side hotel restaurants near New York
At first glance this head waiter was
inclined to treat the applicants with an
access of hauteur approaching disdain
and presaging neglect They were as
modest Of manner as of attire, If that
were possible; and to this large and die
tatorial person. who in the winter months
was accustomed to lording it over the
money-spending clientele Of one Of the
largest establishments on Longacre
square they conveyed a cursory impress
sion of belonging to that class OF casual
strays who infrequently drift into su-
perior restaurants and dine unhappily
with difhdence for their sauce and the
red ink figures at the foot of the i'm
pending bill dancing before their appalled,
eyes.
But because he was really an excellent
head waiter, If harassed by and impa-
tient of the demands of a heterogeneous
crew of guests characteristic of summer,
he indulged in second, if hasty, glance.
And Immediately his manner was mod
Grated by q very perceptible thaw
He was able to see that beyond ques-
ton madame was a lady of a caste to
which the best he had to offer would
prove nothing startling. while the gentle
man accompanying her was the Mr..
Bruce Crittenden, whose recent total and
in hi
cles he had once frequented and adorned
was only just ceasing to be a matter Of
debate. From his present appearance
Franz would have been inclined to dag
nose the cause Of Crittenden's troubles
as collapse Of the financial system
Though other things We're being whis-
pered); but that was none of his con-
cern. He was himself a human being
not devoid of human sensibilities, in the
number Of which gratitude had its place:
he could not be unr1indful Of the several
notes of legal tender which had. in time
gone by, found their way from Mr.. Crit
tenden's pocket to his own.
He bowed. then, with precisely the
proper shade of respectful recognition.
and allotted them desirable table. one
not too conspicuously placed, yet not too
far from the orchestra.
While Franz stood by, attentive to take
Crittendens order, Cynthia settled her
self in her chair with luxurious move
ment suggesting an incarnate sigh OF
content. She was little tired and glad
to rest. A throng of new impressions be-
seged her fancy; of the boat trip down
the bay and through the Narrows. with
the clean salt breath Of the Atlantic re-
invgorating every wearied fiber of her
being: of the landing in the tawdry sea-
side city Of tinsel. paint and plaster.
weird and extravagant as the nightmare
of scene painter: of fluent throngs of
people amusement mad. seeking the bub-
BILE sensation at the barker's mouth; of
thousand smells of food and animals
humanity: of deafening roar Of blend
ing dissonances-shrieks, cries. yells,
groans, windy roaring OF megaphones,
brassy blaring of bands, crashing and
motor horns-as wild and wrong as a
symphony composed during delirium by
an apostle Of the new music; of their
flight therefrom to lonely spot Of sand
and sounding waves; stronger than all
else. Of Crittenden's constant sympathy,
courtesy and quiet humor.
'Is this normal-does it go on this way
all the time?" she had. asked in con-
sternation.
THE summer through" he answered
And this Is q quiet day-Monday."
1T all seems SO strange to me-" This
in apology for her slowness to compreI
hend the spirit of her native land.
You'll get used to 1t. Unlike the Eng
hsh. We take our pleasures raw-and
If Crittenden's choice Of a diversion
seems curious it had none the less proven
effective: it had diverted. Cynthia had
forgotten, temporarily.
And this hour was the best Of ALL
After the waiter had departed with his
carefully considered order. Crittenden
rested his forearms on the edge of the
table. Joined his hands and watched the
woman his own eyes thoughtful.
He wondered. speculated idly about her.
Than this he could do no less nor more.
their bond Of understanding debarring
him from any inquiry the least intimate.
Probably he was never to know more of
her than he did now. In few brief
hours they must say good night, good
bye. A slender chance that they would
ever meet again. Only another day, two
at most, and he would have dropped
completely out of the scheme of things
that thus far had concerned him. Heaven
alone knew what was to become of him!
With a slow movement OF her head,
recalled to herself. Cynthia looked back
to him. Her smile deepened insensibly.
out of sheer friendliness, as their glances
met
Against the background of the dusk her
face. framed in its blushing russet hair,
shone like a cameo of pale. tinted ivory.
The soft lights overhead lent her eyes a
world Of shadowed mystery, infinitely en-
hancing their allure.
"Tired?" he asked, solicitous.
"A little she conceded, amending
quickly. mot very"
You were SO quiet he explained.
Was L? Pure animal enjoyment, l
presume: contentment lulling thought to
sleep. Still, 1 was thinking-wondering
If you, too. would now forsake Su-
zanne's."
Why, too'?'' he asked Are you go
ing to desert?"
Perhaps didn't mean myself.
I was thinking OF the other man who
went away with the inventor Of occupa-
tions. Did you notice that he never re-
turned?"
which,
She described the man whose bearing
she had thought suggestive Of the sea-
Crittenden readily recalled him.
'Yes, l remember. That's SO. too: he
hasn't been back. Wonder why? Per-
haps his neW-found occupation is much
the same as mine"
Then you may never lunch at Su-
zanue's again, you think?"
CTo be continued tomorrow.)