The Washington herald., 1913-10-18
WHY NOT7
NJ J. o. LOIzEAUx.

ened himself moment, and through the
unfinished easement of the house he was
| icarpentering on. breathed deep Of the
fall air. 1t was sweet to him. He pushed
back his cap and ran his fingers through
his soft black hair. Murray came along
\ beside him, pausing a moment
'"ralkin' breath7 oh-say-ain't It q
peach Of a dayl Amt glad amt q
guy in an ofice bumped up over q pene
Wouldn't II be herce? Dan nodded. his
eye on the street, where q group OF
young girls were going home from their
work in stores and factories.
'Those-girls have to slave" answered
Dan. his glance singing out a fair. deli
cate little girl more quietly dressed
than the others And that little one
in gray-doesn't look up to work" He
began work again, but Murray con-
sidered him.
why don't you marry herr he asked
bluntly.
TORY stared and flushed. setting his
| jaw.
IT don't know her-just noticed her. Il
amt the marryin' sort, guess Haven't
| very much ahead as II is-just q patch
Of land and shack I'm building my
SELF
"You can take care Of her and your
| self easier than she can look after her
| self. Marry her. man. why not? mar
ried a girl to take care Of her-and she
makes a little heaven for me. You're
shirking" Murray went away whlstling.
but as Dan Torrey put away his tools
his mind ran on the little slender girl.
He put on his coat and swung out
| into the street. tired and hungry-too
hungry to wait for the supper at the end
OF long car ride. He would eat down
town. Stin in his working clothes. he
went into n place OF the cheaper sort,
where he would not feel out OF place.
II was a crowded little hole, and men
and women were sitting close, eating the
coarse but plentiful food. He looked
about for a place and saw none. Yes.
there was one-a small table for two,
where, with her back to him, a girl was
sitting. He hesitated, then went over and
sat down opposite her.
With a shock. he saw that 1t was the
little, fair girl In gray. She looked up
with a half-frightened glance, then went
on with her supper. II she had ever seen
the good-looking young workman. she did
not remember II.
While he waited for his order he found
himself furtively studying her. She was
little too plain for beauty, q little too
thin, with an anxious look In the deep.
steady gray eyes He wished he could
cau a smile 10 neF IaCe, SO ne JOkeo Win
the waitress-his Irish Joking, irresistible.
Like a fash the girl laughed. her facel
lighting. Then she flushed like a rose
and thereafter kept her eyes on her
plate
But for an accident she would have
left without speaking; but Dan had his |
chance with her. Her order had been
meage- enough; and as she finished she |
reached into her little purse and ished |
rrrNN tue N nd
watched her step to the cashiers desk
near by him.
The girl in the cage coldly pushed back
one of the coins
mo good" she said, worn too much"
TITS all I have with me-" the girl |
stammered. 81 thought It was all
right Can't 1 pay you next time ]
come in?"
The cashier gave q queer smile and
called the manager. pushing the dime
to him silently.
mo good" he said. looking keenly |
and not too courteously at the girl.
'It's all I have with me-" she stam-
mered II will come in ana pay you to-
morrow. Ny names Annie Morrow. I
clerk at Strath's."
The man hesitated and then Dan was
on his feet. anger In his eye.
Here" he said. 'T know Miss Nor
row. She's all right Take this. She can
pay me next time she sees me. 1t might
happen to any of u.s." he said with his L
Irish smile winning her.
'T can't let you" she said clearly.
''NonsenseI' he said. carefully steering |
her away from the desk and to the door. /
"I see you every day. I work on that
new building at Tenth and Shaw, you
know. You can pay me some time when
you see me. I'd like 70 murder that
cashier. Perhaps / will," he promised II
happily as he opened the door for her. II
She gave him a deep look Of thanks.
Thank you-but you're asstranger-I
shouldn't let you III
"Good-bye," he said. IT'S all right"
He went back to his unfinished supper, II
wishing he could fight something for her.
The injustice of girls struggle with the
world came upon him.
A day or two later, as he was leaving
work, he saw Annie Morrow pass and
look shyly In his direction. He knew she
wanted to speak to him. and would not
let it ee thought she was aeeesting him.
He walked straight up to her, took of
his cap. and then walked on beside her.
She had dime in her hand-he knew he
must take II because she wanted TO give
1t to him, but II seemed foolish and
ridiculous to him.
Look here" he said, I'm Dan TORY.
I work for Bradford & Street-rm a
I'm not marrtsd, and I'm de-
cent, and you needn't be afraid Of me.
Those people in that eating place didn't
think I knew you'll want you to come
now to supper with me to let them see
.hen you need never go there again. You
xnow I'm all right-don't you?
She met his clear gaze, blushed again .
n the way that charmed him, and nod
led her head. She thought a moment
'T'll-go-this once" she said. It was
ike her not to mention the matter after
hat. He ordered her as good a meal as
he place afforded. and then went out
With her on the street. They were by
hen deep in pleasant. friendly talk. She
lad told him where she roomed-a cheap i
,ut. decent place. that she had no par
,nts. Neither had he. That she was
lfraid Of the city. No, she didn't so to
he theater-never to dances She knew | |
10 one that she was not-afraid to 60
NTH.
Tht evening ended by his taking her
o a good vaudeville. and then home.
She felt safety and sweetness and good
Intention in him, and Dan giowed with
zeal. The girl had found a
riend. -
A month or two passed kpd the two
,egan seeing much Of eacH other. Dan
epaired his little three-room house on | L
he lot far out, and she worked at the /
tore. and the relaxation OF going out II
With him and being less lonely brought II
more color 10 her face. All the TINA III