The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1913-09-13

ladies. Wouldn't you like a nice young lady to take
out to dinner this eveningY Miss Asher, now, is a
very nice young lady; she will make it agreeable for
you"
"Why, she doesn't know me- - said Plat, wonder
lngly. 'She doesn't know anything about me-.
Would she go9 I'm not acquainted with her."
would she GOT" repeated Zizzbaum, with uplift-|
ed eyebrows. "Sure she would go. I will INTRODUCED
you. Sure, she would go.''
He called Miss Asher loudly.
She came, calm and slightly ~contemptuous, in her
white shirt waist and plain black skirt.
"Mr. Plat would like the pleasure of your COM
pany to dinner this evening" said Zizzbaum, walk
ing away.
"Sure, !" said Miss Asher, looking at the ceiling.
I'D be much pleased. Nine-eleven West Twentieth
street. What time?'
"Say z O'clock
"Al right, but please don't come ahead Of time. I
room with a school teacher, and she doesn't allow
any gentlemen to call in the room. There isn't any
lparlor, so you'll have to wait in the hall. I'll be
At half past Z Platt and Miss Asher sat at a table
in a Broadway restaurant. She was dressed in a.
plain filmy black. Platt didnt know that it was all
a part Of her days work.
With the unobstrusive aid Of a good waiter he
managed to order a respectable dinner minus the
usual Broadway preliminaries.
Miss Asher flashed upon him a dazzling smile.
"Maynt [ have something to drink" she asked.
why, certainly" said Plat. Anything you
want"
"A dry Martini, she said to the waiter.
When it was brought and set before her Plat
reached over and took it away.
What is this9' he asked.
GA cocktail, of course"
II thought it was some kind of tea you ordered.
This is liquor. You can't drink this. What is your
first name9'
ITO my intimate friends, y said Miss Asher, freez-
ingly, sit is Helen"
"Listen, Helen, - said Plat, leaning over the table.
For many years every time the spring flowers bios
somed out on the prairies I got to thinking Of some-|
body that I'd never seen or heard Of. I knew it was
you the minute | saw you yesterday. I'm going back
home tomorrow, and you're going with me. I know it,
for l saw 1t In your eyes when you first looked at me.
You needn't kick, for you've got to fall into line
Here's a little trick I picked out for you on my way
over"
He flicked a two-carat diamond solitaire ring
across the table. Miss Asher Tipped it back to himI
with her fork.
Don't get fresh, !" she said, severely.
I'm worth a hundred thousand dollars" said
Plat. I'm build you the finest house in west Texas. n
You cant buy me, Mr.: Buyer said Miss Asher
sFif you had a hundred million. I didn't think I'd
have to call you down. You didn't look like the 9TH
ers to me at first, but / see your all alike
All whoq" asked Plat.
All you buyers. You think because we girls have
to go out to dinner with you or lose our Jobs that
you're privileged to say what you please. Wen. for
get it. thought you were different from the Others
but / was mistaken"
PLAT struck his fingers on the table with 4 gesture
sudden, Illuminating satisfaction.
EsI'v got it,, he exclaimed, almost hi fouslyL
3he Nicholson place, over on the north side. There's
arbig grove of live oaks and q natural lake. The old
house can be pulled down and the new one set fur
Their back.
ssPut out your pipe, ! said Miss Asher. ssI'm sorrvI
to wake you up, but you fellows might as well getl
wise, once for all, to where You stand. I'm suppoeedI
to So 70 dinner with you and help jol1y you along sol
you n trade with old zizzy, but don expect to find
You n16anto ten me-. = snid PISf1 <<flat 4o5 <5|
cut this way with customers* &nd <161 1I-thex 81