The Ward County independent. [volume] (Minot, Ward County, N.D.) 1902-1965, 1913-06-26
A SMOKE. EATERS
Love
The Kiss That Came Before
the Introduction.
BY LOUISE MERRIFlELp.


Burke used to see her pass by the
engine house every morning on her
way to the paper box factory around
the corner on Thompson street. She
had never missed day all summer
long, and every morning little before
Z o'clock Tom Burke would stroll out
of the engine house carelessly, tip
chair back against the red brick wall
and read the morning paper attentive
ly until the paper box factory girls
came by.
CANT he the unsociable thing,
thought" Sue McManus would say,
with swift. laughing side glance at
the young fireman, when she went by
with a crowd Of girls. such an in
teresting paper it Is, to be sure! But
it won't be so interesting when Mar
gerry comes by"
Burke would color at the laughter
which always followed. color darkly to
the roots Of his close curled brown
hair. but never an answering glance
would he send after%he girls. All his
glances were saved for Margery
He could see her the first minute she
turned the corner Of Sixth avenue and
came down along Fifth street. She
always took the shady side Of the
street, and the engine house was on
that side. The other girls wore cheap
picture hats with flowing wells and
fancy waists trimmed with cheap lace,
but Margery was always in black and
white, short walking skirt and trim
white waist. freshly Numbered, he
knew, by her precious hands. There
was no picture hat on her bonny
brown hair. but little black sailor
with a swallows wing on one side and
bunch Of violets in a knot Of rib
bon.
1t was the style Of her that took
his heart and eye the first time he
ever saw her as she. came along the
street Even the street car conductors
would look after her and pass cor
ners absentiy. and every child on the
street would look up for smile and a
touch Of her hand 1t was just the
way she had, Burke told himself. and
she couldn't help it any more than an
angel could help scattering blessings
as it slipped by.
He had never spoken to her. He
didn't even know If she were aware
Of his existence. After she had passed
he would drop the paper and stare at
the red and black Chinese sign across
the street and wonder how he could
ever get acquainted with her. She
wouldn't flirt like other girls. He
could tell that by the way she held her
head up and went straight ahead. and
she never seemed to have any chums
among the girls. Sue McManus had
told him her name one day. Sue was
right in society and went to the fire.
mems ball and the firemen's picnic and
all the benefits just because she had
second cousin on hose cart uptown in
Harlem:
Sure, 1 know who she is" Sue had
laughed ut him over the question.
"She's forelady on the fifth floor over
the lacers. Those are the girls who
put in the lace trimming on the fancy
boxes. She's all right, but she's stuck
up because she has brother that's
policeman over on Mercer street-a
big tall young fellow. Maybe you
know him--Jack O'Ferrall"'
81 know him." said Burke. Hes all
right She has reason to hold up her
head over him."
Then he wondered how he could ap-
proach O'Ferrall Every day he used
to see him strolling down from Wash
ington square, his white gloves spot
less no matter what the weather was,
his coat without a wrinkle and smile
that won him the respect Of everybody
for they knew behind the smile were
handy fist and a quick brain. No,
Burke decided he couldn't tell OFFER
rail- that he was in love with his sis
ter just on the strength Of seeing her
walk by the engine house. He would
wait and let fate and the little blind
god Join hands over his love.
1t was hot August day when the
alarm sounded. and Burke jumped for
his place as the engine pulled out. 1t
had been dull all day. and he felt glad
there was to be some relief at last.
The true, natural born smoke eater
loves the first sniff Of smoke as an
actor loves the last strains Of the over
ture, the first low ripple Of applause
from out in front. 1t is the bugle call
to action, and Burke felt his heart
beat faster as the old engine began to
get up speed and Nell and Captain
swung into good, long stride down
the street under the elevated.
where is it?'' he asked his mate,
Rawley. 'Broadway?"
"No. Thompson street-Waller's pa
per box factory" answered Rawley.
Burke's square jaw set in hard lines
The fingers that We're bnttoning his
coat fumbled awkwardly. Wallers
paper box factory, and Margery was
up on the fifth floor! AS the engine
turned sharply into Thompson street
he could see the factory. halfway down
to Canal. Thick puffs Of smoke jetted
- ~ ar