The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-03-15
PR. LAXwORTHY came to q
standstiii in the centre Of the
narrow London pavement. Al

though he was certainly not
mar given to casual gallantries, II was
Il, nns that he was engaged In watch
NO young woman now disappearing
b,,ugh the swing doors Of a small
.s,,nrant on the opposite aide Of the
FRO. AS soon as she had finally
,as..d out OF view he turned and fol-
pvcd her.
Tie ncighborhood was an unsavory
No. and the restaurant one Of the
malc., and meanest Of its class. The
rusi.r blinds behind the glass door
rhlrh MIR. Laxworthy pushed open were
,D,J and torn. The restaurant itself
H.. N .cntilated. dirty and noisy. The
xounr woman was sitting at a table
h,ldins the menu in front Of her face.
AIR Iaxworthy. whose presence the
younr woman was attempting to ig-
more. tapped with his finger upon the
menu
come, come. young woman" he ex-
rlamed. little testify. Il have seen
mite enough Of the back Of that solled
hill Of fare. In any case. II Is OF no
Interest to either you or me. because
A. are going to lunch elsewhere
Very slowly she lowered II and looked
nm at him. She was thin, and there
vas an expression In her eyes which
Mr. I.axworthy had seen once or twice
before during his life associated with
different people and which he did not
a,ely shabby. She seemed thinner about
the neck and the fingers which still
held the bill of fare were almost
emac lated
How do you do, Mr.. Laxworthy?"
she said with an attempt at her old
manner Il am sorry that did not
recognize you at once
Rubbish" Mr.. Laxworthy replied
irritably You not only recognized me.
but you tried to avoid me. You ought
to know by now that I am not man to
be avoided. Put on your gloves again.
please. and come with me. We are
going to lunch somewhere where the
odor OF other peoples meals is not quite
% insistent.
Waiter" he continued. addressing a
miserable specimen of his class who had
Jus, shambIed up. Il am depriving you
Of a customer. Here is recompense.
Now open the door for U.S."
The girl followed her companion
meekly enough out onto the pavement,
but when he called taxicab she pro.
tested.
Il cannot go anywhere to lunch with
you" she declared. IL am not pre-
pared"
Mr.. LaXworthy was either in q very
had humor. or else ne had come to the
conclusion that kindness was not the
weapon by which he could easiest at
tain his ends.
Get in and don't be foolish" ne or
dered Il can't assure you that I have
no idea q going to the Ritz or the
Carlton. Look at my own muddy boots
and shabby hat. I've been tramping
about Soho myself for two hours
What have you been doing here"
she asked
Mr.. LaXworthy almost pushed her
into the vehicle. gave an order to the
driver and seated himself beside her.
Looking for adventures" he an
swered tirtly. Il don't believe there Is
such a thing left In London. ! have
spent he proceeded. with the air Of
one relieving himself of a grievance, "a
most unsatisfactory and unpleasant two
months. My young friend Wing has
got married. l don't know whether you
Remember my other friend. Mr.. Forrest
Anderson. but his brother has left him
four hundred year. and he's gone
round the world on tour. Not thing
TO do, not thing to occupy a man Of
my peculiar tastes"
Where are we going now?" she
asked a little timidly.
Young lady," Mr.. Laxworthy de-
cared. If you would get out OF that
habI, II asking questions We should
get ON better We are going to Victoria
Railway station
What for?"
God bless my SOUL" Mr.. Laxworthy
exclaimed. What do you think we are
gong there for. Do you imagine
want To- take you down to Brighton
Tor tn day, or elope with you to the
Continent? We are going there to eat.
Of cours,
Best place | know Of" Mr.. Lax
worthy Continued. ito get whole
some and ,at!sfactory meal, is the dining
room Of 4 large railway station. Be
Sides No. ne will notice my boots"
The glr laughed family.
You are man OF resource" she
mlrmur'd. Your boots. indeed"
II ! an tactful enough, my dear
MISS Gtl"S worthy" Mr.. Laxworthy
continue To- ignore the fact that you
are not t'tircd with your accustomed
e'eganr", Il is at least up to you to try
ana forget my boots. Here We are,
ms way, please"
Mr LnNworthy paid for his taxicab
and conducted his companion into the
station lining room, where he ordered
pam U.t substantial lunch. He then
MADE hrief visit to the bar, from
winch A" returned. followed by a walt
u up. whose salver reposed two
taSse> "i amber coored liquid.
"'nderful apertif," Mr.. Laxwor-
uy explained, mixed under my per-
sohal r"rvlsion. Eat mouthful OF
'o'l anu rink it down-so!"
som " or other he seemed to man
ase I" scoop the conversation to trivial
'''S uh' they We're half way through
'uh' He waited until he saw