Evening star., 1914-04-20
THE EVENING STORY.
At the Cigar Desk.
Copyright. 1919. by ". wernerl

ant-fsced man middle aged. dressed like
a countrvuan. but with eyes the sharp
ness of which was far from being coun-
triiied Every DAY he bought several =
cent cigars. one at time, which he
chewed instead of smoked. With wits
sharpcned by three years behind cigar
case. Kitty finally concluded without vaTi-
ity that the end her acquaintance
Kitty was nearly as pretty as tine beau
ties who twirled fans and red roses upon
the lids of cigar boxes But there was
an inlpersonal tinse to J. F. Ault's cau-
tious reaching for intimacy that puzzled
her.
IF he's from the farm how can he
look so citiGed?'' She demanded "f
larry Atkins the night CLERK.
Harry didn't know nor care His mind
~s@s mostly occupied with silk socks
end cravats.
And if he isn't from the farm. why
does he wear such farny clothes
Maybe he's detective, Ndwned
f;arry. pairing his finger nails.
Kitty unused and decided that Harry
for once had said something Ten min
utes later J. +. Ault stopped beside the
glass case
"Tiresome job for a pretty girl like
Sou," he said gently
'Uh-huh. said Kitty absently- She
had just discovered that she was short
." cents. some Que Hau Slot ott-CHtiS'H
You ought to be
II know" brusquely. with my beauty
and lovely WAYS I ought to BE- iollinS in
an electric brougham and feeding a Ros-
ton terrier. Hut lm here.
Mr.. Ault leaned upon the case so that
lis face was close klsy jerkad back as
far as the marrow >ace would permit
like breathin>~pace. she SAID
Mr.. Ault's retreat was quick Dare
say" he replied, tolerantly. 'you get tired
talking to every pest who comes by.
I'm not crazy bout my job. but it's
better than launching over sewing ma
chine or sitting in a department store
basement
j. r. huIt looked at kittys clean pink
and white face and trim. glistening brown
hair. II guess You see about every per-
son that comes here, he hazarded,
I'm in from II to II carelesslv, 'and
my eyesight's good
II understand friend of mine was
nere "A few weeks ago" absently- Il
wonder If he said when he'd be back.
Tall thin young fellow.
The absent manner was too carefully
sihsent. ktty's eyes narrowed. There
vas Il tall. thin fellow here once. pertly.
aut don't remember what he looked
ike"
J. F. Ault laughed. 'If You saw this
nap you'd remember him. all right He
looks like he was clipped from the cover
Of a magazine. His hair is black and
turly, his pants are creased: he wears his
lair clipped close. because he despises
curly hair. His fingers" bitterly. ARE
long and white, he can reach two octaves
on the piano
What's his name: or-don't you
know
The suddenness of the second question
trst Jared Mr.. Ault's aplomb. Then he
Laughed second time. Il guess you're
not simpleton." he confided genially.
VIII you help me?'
Depends judicially. What do you
want me to do"
Help me get my hands on him. His
voice rang crackingly like a. whip
And II he sees You first you won't
Is that it?" asked Kitty.
You've got the right slant on the situ-
alton. Now, he can't very well come here
and you not see him. You're pretty
girl. Oh. I'm not singing taffy. I'm
explaining 1t won't be hard for you TO
make a date with him..
don't fancy the proposition Kitty
said. as her face flushed
'I1l make it worth your while, He
sound? And here's hundred down" He
tipped a yellow wad on the case Think
II over" Ihen he strolled into the dining
room
AS his coattaiIs disappeared there STEP
ped through the swinging doors opposite
tail. thin, young fellow. with close
clipped. black hair. who tossed his suit
case to one bellboy, handbag to another
nodded gayiy at Atkins. pinched the ear
of a third bellboy, and strobe with BEAM
ing smile and outstretched hand to Kitty.
I'm back
"Oh. you are.' said Kitty, indifferently,
not to saw cold1y.
His joyous smile faded. well. if that's
the way you feel he said, bitterly, 'I
needn't have Gomez.
What do you want me- to do?' politely
asked Kitty Garry your suit case to
re elevator or treat you to a cigar?''
We'll. for the exploded reproach-
fulIy.
Say Mr.. Brinton. Harry Atkins call
d lansuidIy. there's friend of yours
here Wants to see YOU Aut's his name.
les eating dinner.
Mr.. Brinton looked shocked. Kitty was
ratchins.
Il can give you the same room you had
'efore.' said Atkins.
II have Just remembered said young
Mr. Brinton. thoughtfully. that / can't
with my luggage? They brought it.
wondering And Kitty wondered. He
looked steadily at her. Kitty. for very
good reason. am going TO take the 12:lo
'rain to Mexico. he remarked. Got a
rrackerjack job there. Will YOU come
along? You said three weeks ago that
nothing held you here but landlady and
"a lob you were tired of.
Did T. pertly inquired Kitty. why
don't YOU stay and meet Mr.. Auit?'
Don't want TO- We had a misunder-
standing. And very rapidly he arranged
for place and time OF meeting and was
gone Just as Mr.. Ault, toothpick in
mouth. stroiled out of the dining room.
We'll. how about it?" he inquired,
genially
Nothing doing snapped Kitty. And
tossed back the bill,
Atkins called over. Say. that chap
YOU were looking for was here. And !
told him. but he was in hurry and
Couldn't wait. He made a date with
Kitty" snickered Harry. First time I
ever knew YOU TO fall for soft talk he
jeered at her,
"Aht' Mr. Ant was relieved. Bully
for you Like a rhump he muruured.
II thought that clerk was ordinary wit
ted and told him when | first came.
Here He laid over another bill Kitty
pushed il back Her cheeks We're red.
He looked at her curiously
What's he done?' she demanded. hotly.
That, my dear, is none of your busi-
ness. I'll stay here till time for YOU TO
meet him" And Mr.. Ault settled him
self. with several cigars. in chair where
he could keep an eye on Kitty and on the
door She was kept busy almost TIL IL
O'Clock. When she put on her hat Mr..
Ault was at her heels. Together they
passed out to the street and she turned
north walking rapidly. She was silent
Ault followed suit She walked from the
brilliancy of the business part into the
lesser glare of the adjacent streets, then
into quiet dim residence streets. then
through another lighted patch of smaller
stores then on
say we could have taken n cab ''
AuIt finally complained
Kitty shrugged her shoulders and walk