The weekly times-record. (Valley City, N.D.) 1912-1922, 1913-07-10

mend 4 R0sEin sandwich with our
own special chocolate. The whipped
cream IL unusually dne today"
She eyed me with 4 severity to which
was not accustomed, aud acquiesced
without parley IN her suggestion. Be-
fore leaving me she placed on my ia.
bic the latest minor pset In green and
gold. 5.
1t was nearly 3 o'clock, and was
alone In the Asolanda. The attending
deltes IN their snowy gowns had van
ished behind the screen at the rear OF
the room. The food and drink with
which l had been promptly served
proved excellent. Even the minor poet
In green and gold had held my atten.
ton. though limitations Of Coventry
Patmore's odes bore me as a rule.
Near the street, half concealed behind
a mosquelike grill, sat the cashier.
reading. A bundle Of Joss sticks In a
green jar beside this young woman
sent thin smoke into the air. Her
head was bent above her book in quiet
attention. The light from an electric
lamp made glow Of her golden hair.
She was an incident Of the general
picture. a part of scene that contain.
ed no jarrlng note. A man who could
devise. in the heart Of the great city.
4 place 80 instinct with repose 40 lull'
ing to all the senses was not less than
a public benefactor.r ;, ..-
It was at this moment that tho ad.
venture-for It shall have no meaner
name-actually began. My eyes were
still enjoying the Rossetulike vision in
the cashiers tiny booth when 4 figure
suddenly darkened the street door just
beyond her. The girl lifted her head.
On the instant the lamp key clicked
as she exdnguished her light and the
aureoled head ceased to be- And COM
ing toward me down the shop beheld
a lady, lady Of years, who passed
the cashiers desk with her eyes In.
tent upon the rooms inner -recesses.
Her gown. * a new fas6lohaC,7 gray,
was of the severest tailor cut Her
hat was a modified fedora. gray like
the gown, and adorned with a single
gray feather. She was short. slight,
erect. and moved with a quick bird.
like motion. pausing and glancing at
the vacant tables that lay between
me and the door. She appeared to be
engaged in calculation Of some sort,
and she raised lorgnette to assist her
in counting the tables. The cashier
passed behind her unseen and vanish
ed. heard the newcomer reciting:
Zone, two. three. four. FIVE. six. sew.
en-" And at seven her eyes rested
upon me with look that mingled sur
prise and annoyance. She took step
toward me. and l started to rise. but
she said quickly:
II beg yonr pardon. but this seems
to be the seventh table,"
"Now that you call my attention to
It," l remarked. gaining my feet. Il
am bound to concede the point II by
any chance l am intruding"-
mot In the least On the other hand.
beg that you remain where you
are" And without further ado she
sank into q chair opposite my own.
I tinkled q tiny crystal bell that was
among the table furnishings. and q
waitress appeared aud banded the lady,
who had thus introduced herself to
my Acquaintance. a copy Of the tiny
card on which the articles Of refresh.
ment offered By the Asc!ando were
indicated within 4 border Of hand
painted Geld daisies.
"Never mind that" said the lady In
gray. ignoring the card. lyon may
bring me q caviar sandwich and .
cocktail. a pink one, provided-pro-
vided"-and she held the waitress
with her eye"you have the imported
caviar and your barkeeper knows the
proper frappe Of the spirit litter have
uamed."
"Pardon me, madam" replied the
waitress icily. "but you have mistaken
the place. The Asolando serves moth.
Ing stronger than the pure water Of
it, own fount Of Castalia. Intoxicants
are not permitted here"
'Intoxicantsg'' repeated the old lady
With asperity. do I look like Z per.
son given to intoxication1 dare say
your Castalia water is nothing but Gro.
ton whose flavor has been destroyed
BY Oscillation. You may bring mo
the sandwich I have mentioned and
With It 4 pot Of tea. Yes. thank yos'
lemon with the tea"
AS the girl vanished with the light
tread that marked the service OF the
place again made as to rise, but the
old lady lifted her hand With a delay
ing gesture.
fray remain. 1t Is not unlikely
that we have friends and ideas IN COM
mon. and as you were seated at the
seventh table 1t is possible that some
ordering Of fate has brought us to
gether."
She took from me In the hand which
she had now ungloved the copy OF my
minor poet, glanced at it scornfully and
tossed It upon the floor with every
mark Of disdain.
"What species Of mental disorder
does this place represent" she de-
nanded.