The Lamar register., 1914-06-17

btCAhy-
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 ] 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 II the man In charge re-
fused credit At whatever cost the
girl must have FOOD.
The all night restaurant through the
glass front revealed a lunch counter
and number Of cloth draped tables
awaiting occupants. A few of these
were in use. single waiter catering
to the guests. A woman was scrub
bling the floor under the cigar stand.
while a round faced. rather genial
looking young fellow stood leaning
negligently against the cashiers desk.
Rather doubtfully I glanced uneasily
up and down the deserted street and
then into the still averted face of my
chance companion bad no desire
she should comprehend my dilemma.
Would you mind waiting out here
on the step a moment" Questioned
awkwardly. attempting to explain.
only until make sure who are In
side. There are some fellows I am
not friendly with. and ! am Sot hunt.
ing a roughhouse with a G.ei to look
after. You won't care for jost Q min
ute. will your"
NO" YEARLY: II won't mind"
you'll promise not to go away
She shook her head. her eyes staring
DULY in to the mist.
mo; won't go away. Where couid
] goY'
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 l 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 I re-
turned to the girl she was waiting
motionless, her back to the window,
and when l spoke followed me in with
vut a word. l led the way % the Sc
cluded table behind the screen. seated
her and took the chair opposite. With
out questioning her wishes l ordered
10 no ,vfrl eft In. al har
face bent low over the menu card. a
red flush on either cheek.
What will you have to drinkT 1
asked as the waiter turned aside. I'D
rather like a cocktail to drive the wet
out of my system. Shall l make 1t
two?"
She glanced up quickly from under
shading lashes, her eyes. big and
brown. meeting my own
Il 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 ad-
dress had SO suddenly failed. l felt
embarrassed. unable to break the 81
Ience by any sensible utterance. My
eyes rested upon her hands. white,
slender. ringless. They were hands OF
refinement. and my gaze, fascinated
by the swiftly recurring memory OF
other days, arose slowly to contem'
plation of her face. 1t was 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; low
broad forehead. Swallowed still by the
wide brimmed hat and the fossy
brown hair; the skin clear, the cheeks
rounded and slightly flushed by ex
element; the lips full and finely arch
ed; the chin firm and smooth She
suddenly glanced up questoningly.
"You-you do not at all understand
my position, do your" she asked tim
idly. II mean why l should be home
less, on the street, alone at-at sucf
an hourf"
NO" responded, surprised int
frankness. ~ do not understand, but
shall we not permit the whole matter
to rest and pretend at being friendi