The Liberal democrat. [volume] (Liberal, Kan.) 1911-1924, 1914-04-03
He Was DIFFERENT
BY RUBY DOUGLAS.


but for some one obstructing the en-
trance.
The conductor handed Billy nickel
in change, but Billy pushed on inside,
saying, "Two--Pm paying for two"
There was no other passenger
whose fare was unpaid, but detail
did not bother the conductor, and he
murmured something about the fact
that he should worry and went on ma
king change and registering fares.
Billy's one eccentricity, the only
thing that made him different from
any other good-looking, prosperous
young man was this habit he had &C
CURED Of always paying for two.
Sometimes he was considered "a little
bit non compos mentis, but this was
not often. In every other way he was
perfectly regular.
Never to pay one fare, never to buy
one theater ticket, never to order one
meal was Bits eccentricity. If he was
with companion there was no need
Of displaying his mania. But alone;
he always exhibited 1t.
Billy had conceived the idea when
he was not more than voting age. In
a moment Of introspection he discov-
cred that he was just like every ether
man Of his age; he was scarcely an In
dividual, he was so perfectly normal.
To be sure he had much to tolerate
in the way of chatting from his friends,
but even that made him topic Of
conversation. Fortunately, Billy had
the money to pay for companion on
all his jaunts.
For more than three years he had
been airing his eccentricity and today
as he sat on the Crosstown car 1t
came to him suddenly that 1t was a
rather foolish way of trying to be dis
tincdve among his fellow men. Was
his brain so shallow, we're his talents
80 meager that he must depend on so
senseless a habit to make him stand
out as q man with personality? And
yet, he argued, 1t gave him many a
moments good fun.
At an odd little eating house behind
building on the cross street, Billy,
this day, halted, alone.
Coffee Cup Inn," was the sign over
the door and 1t was place frequented
by persons who had little to spend on
what they ate and yet were choice in
what that little paid for A few news
paper reporters, few art students
from the academy nearby, few mu-
sicians and now and then group Of
girls who would be Bohemian and
with Bohemians mingle, we're the
patrons of the shop.
Billy slid back the great walnut
door and sought table for two IN IN
obscure corner of the dimly-lighted
room. A waiter handed him a card
detailing the menu and left him to his
selection.
Today" declared Billy, II will not
only pay for two, but will order for
two and have it served. Perhaps" he
added, in his mind, 'Tm really getting
cracked as the fellows say. 1t might
get to be monomania-this dual
stunt of mine And even that thought
is paradoxical If I'm not careful I'll
be a long-haired genius myself-a hui
morist, perhaps"
With this comforting prospect, Billy
selected two luncheons and ordered
them, letting the waiter infer, as he
told him to set this and that dish op-
posite, that there was some one else
to join him.
10 MN about IN attach hfd Rrot
oyster and immense it in the cocktail
sauce that accompanied the shell fish
when young woman sat down oppo-
site him. She was reading manu-
script and had not noticed that the
table was set TOR some one; neither
had the waiter observed her-waiters
in the Coffee Cup Inn being too few to
have much time to stand around for
mere observation.
Presently the young woman folded
the manuscript = apparently having
finished it-and looked casually at
Billy. Then, as she sought place
for her bag and gloves. she observed
the half dozen blue-points before her.
"oh-really, l beg your pardon"
she exclaimed, rising.
| Billy, too, arose. "Don't-the place
is not oecupied-nor will 1t be unless
you occupy til"
The girl was looking about for an
empty table. There was not a place
in sight. But you have ordered for
some one" she said, perplexed
Mono, assuredly not. Sit down.
/ will explain and-people begin to
look at u.s." Billy demonstrated, STEP
ping to the other side of the table and
assisting the girl to remove her coat
1T is the only way to be inconspicu.
Gus now" he urged
The girl sat down. Billy had eaten
one oyster. She took up her fork
VERY well-but. assure you, It Is
most irregular"
Billy laughed and the girl knew that
she liked him, regularity or no regu-
larity. II have no argument to refute
that statement. he confessed. 1T is
irregular-qulte, but you are in no
way to blame. There is no other seat;
the luncheon is ordered-and partly
served. You sit before 1t; you are ex.
pected to eat 1t and-there you arel"