The Oakley herald. [volume] (Oakley, Idaho) 1908-1961, 1915-07-02

d ening resentment. He was under thi
ty-five, able-bodied. well-groomed en-
d unmistakly English.
Why was he touring around wit
r two overdressed women while tina
Q poor woman's husband and brother ha
d gone to the front? Was patriotism
r stronger in the poorer classes? Wit
l. the need OF the army 80 great, VIII,
! were there so many well-groome,
3 young men still about London?
Il wanted to go on to the Flying
Horse complained one OF the women
Wed have got waited on there
Yes, she's deuced slow" The Eng
lishman knocked loudly on the table
Another couple came in now, an Ell
derby man and his wife. They took one
OF the small tables by the fire.
Dear, I'm afraid she's too upset II
wait on all these people," whispered
Helen arxiously.
Warren did not answer, but he
glared at the Englishman, who again
pounded on the table.
The woman, now painfully fustered,
Right away, sir" tp the impatient
Hnglishman as she set the tray beside
Warren. "Oh, l forgot the sugar! Just
a moment, sir"
Il say, this is a rum start" broke In
the Englishman. IF you can't wait
on US, just say so. and wen go on to
the Flying Horse. We can't stay here
| all day"
THAT gentleman seems in hurry"
drawled Warren derisively. you'd
better serve this to him. Well wait for
ours"
"Oh, thank you, SIR" murmured the
woman gratefully, as she hastily
served the tray on the other table.
Il ordered meat tea for three" as he
returned Warren's glare.
Yes, sir, I'll bring the rest RICH,
away placing before them the plain
tea-bread, butter, cake and marina
lade.
When she came back with plate of
cold meat, Helen saw that her hands
were trembling. From a high shelf on
the sideboard she reached for another
cup. 1t slipped from her tremulous
hold and crashed to the floor.
Il say what's the matter with her
anyway" sneered the Englishman,
when with crimson face she disap-
peared with the broken cup. She's a
bit queer, isn't she? And this is a
jolly poor tea. No watercress and nc
forks striking his plate sharply with
his knife.
In the silence that followed there
came sound of suppressed sobs.
10 Helen's surprise, Warren sud
denly started up and strobe out to
wards the kitchen. She waited breath
lessly. What was he going to do?
In few moments he returned. car
rying a tray on which was dish of
watercress. the third tea and some
forks. These he slammed down before
the astonished Englishman. Then he
stood back and announced brusquely:
THAT woman out there's up against
1t. Her brothers just died in French
hospital. Three weeks ago her hus.
band was killed. She's trying to keep
this place open-yet you come here
and bang on the table. Now I'm going
to pay one pound for this tea for my
self and wife-and I, as you may no
uce, am not an Englishmanl Your bill
for three teas is only six shillings--
now it's up to you!"
dead silence as Warren took up
the tray and stalked out.
Helen, unable to bear the amazed
glances of the others. rose from the
table and ran out after him. The
Kitchen was at the back. There she
found Warren calmly filling a teapot. |
In a small pantry adjoining, the wom-
an, her face hidden in her apron, was |
sobbing convulsively.
That's right-pitch in! Cut some |
bread there" ordered Warren. mo, |
let her cry 1t out. Do her good Well |
wait on those people; thatll help a |
darn sight more than any maudlin sym
p3thy."
Helen's own hands trembled as she |
cut the bread and put it on the tray.
Then she put on the marmalade and |
watercress, which was ready to serve
in small glass dishes.
"Oh, watt" as Warren started in
with the tray. "Oughtn't we to butter
that bread?" anxiously. "They always
dol"
We'll, this time they'll butter II
themselves" as he cut of lump Of
butter and dabbed 1t on the plate with
the bread. That other couple gets
this. Now you fix some for u.s."
The kitchen and pantry were spot
lessly clean, but pathetcally bare OF
food. Even in her excitement Helen
noticed that. She had Just fitted out
another tray when Warren appeared
with broad grin.
They're taking up collection. That
looked pretty sheepish,
but he came across all right. They've
got something like FIVE pounds-and
another couple Just come in This
ray ready"
"Oh, dear. you're wonderful, There's
Nobody like you" tremulously, as with