The Mount Holly news., 1914-08-04

OASu that u0 Was just tIho every Otu6T
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 It was a
rather foolish way of trying TO be dis
tinCtive among his fellow men. Was
his brain 80 shallow. were his talents
SO meager that he must depend on SO
senseless a habit to make him stand
out as 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 a place frequented
by persons who had little to spend on
what they ate and yet we're choice In
what that little paid for. A few news
paper reporters, a few art students
from the academy nearby. a 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 l will order for
two and have it served. Perhaps" he
added, in his mind, I'm really getting
Cracked, as the fellows say. 1t might
get to be monomania-this dual
stunt Of minei And even that thought
is paradoxical. If I'm not careful I'll
be 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.
He was about to attack his first
oyster and immerse it in the cocktail
sauce that accompanied the shell fish
when a young woman sat down oppo-
site him. She was reading q manu-
int I'D ~
table was set for 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 a 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 occupied-nor will 1t be unless
you occupy tt"
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
] viii explain and-people begin to
look at US" 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, l assure you, It is
most irregular"
Billy laughed and the girl knew that
she liked him. regularity or no regu-
larity. Il have no argument to refute
that statement he confessed. 1T is
irregular-quite, but you are In no
way to blame. There is no other seat;
the luncheon is ordered-and partly
served. You sit before it; you are ex-
pected to eat it and-there you arei"
concluded Billy
For moment nothing happened but
the material dipping of oysters into a
reddish concoction; but the girl was
thinking Likewise, Billy Robinson
was thinking. How far could he carry
this situation for the mere sake of
studying the girls behavior in said
situation? She was we'll Bred he had
gathered that at once. If he had not, he
was now convinced of it. for Btlly's
definition of good breeding was ones
49, - Ia ~, all uft ftY,o
tions-one's self-control In the face OF
trial
'I'll explain" he said, at length.
''and while l do so please accept the
luncheon l have ordered. 1t has been
ordered down to the coffee"
The girl looked her establishment
''You-expected some one, of coursef"
Billy shook his head. NO." he con-
fessed.
The girls eyes were two question
marks. The waiter removed the plates
and set down cups of some sort OF
pnree with dabs Of whipped cream on
top
"Bus something supernatural must
have told me l wanted to linger over
long luncheon" he said, for I've In
cluded every course they have In this
unostentatious place. No" he inter
rupted what he knew we're her
thoughts-"Pm not a lunatic. I'm as
sane as you are. But / have one &C.
centricity and you have come right
down into my life in the midst Of it.
l don't blame you for thinking I've
escaped from Matteawan. But-per-
haps it'll be a case of the worst foot
forward for me In our acquaintance
and not at all case of saving the
faults to inf1ict on the ripper friend
/ ship"
I'm interested-if only from prac-
tical standpoint, the girl laughed.
You're good enough to put in story
and it's by storytelling that am able
to eat at all-not, oh, believe me-" she
protested. mot this elaborate sort of
luncheon. You we're about to remark
that | must be a great story-teller.
we're you not?"
Billy now began to feel the real
reason for his adoption of this mode