New Ulm review. (New Ulm, Brown County, Minn.) 1892-1961, 1914-07-15


ner, her words, even her dress which
would not permit me to class her
among the homeless.
my God. girl! And-and l actually
believe you are hungry"
Her eyes uplifted to my face dumb
with agony, her hand grasp upon the
rail Tightening. Then she pitifully
endeavored to smile.
IL am afraid am, just little
l Strengthened up, with shoulders
flung back. It was my time to act.
Then that settles it. You are com
ing with me. There is a respectable
all night place over there on Desmet
street. l ate there once week ago.
Well go together
She drew back, clinging helplessly
to the rail, her eyes on my face.
"Oh, you must not. p
My hand touched her arm.
Yes, but shall,"tl insisted almost
sternly.
Feeling my determination she made
no further resistance, and l half sup
ported her as we moved slowly for
ward through the mist. her face turn
ed away. her arm trembling beneath
the firm clasp of my fingers. AS we
advanced l became conscious that my
own position was an awkward one. 1
had no money of my own with me-
not cent other than those two $500
bills handed me by Vail. The useless
ness of attempting to pass one OF
these was apparent. 1t would be bet
ter to plead lack of cash and put up
some security if the man in charge re.
fused credit. At whatever cost the
girl must have food.
The all night restaurant through the
glass front revealed lunch counter
and a number of cloth draped tables
awaiting occupants. a few of these
were in use. single waiter catering
to the guests. A woman was scrub
blng the floor under the cigar stand.
While a round faced. rather genial
looking young fellow stood leaning
negligently against the cashiers desk.
Rather doubtfully glanced uneasily
up and down the deserted street and
then into the still averted face of my
chance companion. had no desire
she should comprehend my dilemma.
Would you mind waiting out here
on the step moment?' l questioned
awkwardly. attempting to explain,
only until make sure who are in
side. There are some fellows am
not friendly with. and l am not hunt
ing roughhouse with girl to look
after. You won't care for just min
ute. will you?"
mo" YEARLY; Il won't mind"
You'll promise not to go away?"
She shook her head. her eyes staring
duly in to the mist.
No; won't go away. Where could
go?''
Scarcely satisfied. yet feeling obliged
to take the chance. | stepped within
and advanced across the room toward
the man at the cashiers desk. He
glanced up curiously as I approached
and spoke low so as not to attract the
attention of others. To my good luck
he was an ex-army man and willing
to trust me for two meals. When re-
turned to the girl she was waiting
motionless, her back to the window,
and when spoke followed me in with
out word. l led the way to the Sc
cluded table behind the screen, seated
her and took the chair opposite With
out questioning her wishes l ordered
for both. the girl sitting in silence, her
face bent low over the menu card, a
red flush on either cheek.
What will you have to drink?" l
asked as the waiter turned aside. ''Td
rather like cocktail to drive the wet
out of my system. Shall make it
two?'
She glanced up quickly from under
shading lashes, her eyes, big and
brown, meeting my own.
II prefer coffee That will be quite
sufficient
ordered coffee, too, and we sat
there waiting without further speech,
she nervously lingering the card, her
eyes yelled by lowered lashes. l glanc-
ed cautiously across at her, conscious
of my cheap clothing and vaguely
wondering why my usual offhand adj
dress had so suddenly failed l felt
embarrassed, unable to break the 81
lence by any sensible utterance. My
eyes rested upon her hands, white,
slender, ringless. They were hands of
refinement, and my gaze, fascinated
10y the swiftly recurring memory of
other days, arose slowly to a contem-
plation OF her face. 1t was a womanly
face, strong, true, filled with charac-
ter. not so apt, perhaps. to be con-
sidered pretty as lovable-a face to
awaken confidence and trust; a low,
broad forehead, shadowed still by the
wide brimmed hat and the tlossy
brown hair; the skin clear, the cheeks
! rounded and slightly flushed by ex-
citement; the lips full and finely arch
ed; the chin firm and smooth. She
suddenly glanced up questioningly.
"You-you do not at all understand
my position, do you?' she asked tim
idly. Il mean why l should be home