The Washington herald., 1915-08-15

spoon Must two ladies knock young gen.
tleman down and drag him inside for the honor of
dining with EN-? No harm shall befall you, Little
Brother. Loosen up and fall into line"
The young mans pale face relaxed into grin.
Believe III go you," he said Frightening "If
my onion is good credental, III accept the in
vitaton gladly"
Its good that, but better seasoning"
said Hetty. You come and stand outside the door
till l ask my lady friend if she has any objections
And don't away with that letter of reeommen-
dation before I come out"
Hetty went into her and closed the door.
The young waited outside.
Cecilia, kid said the shop-girl oiling the sharp
saw OF her voice we'll she could there's an
onion outside With young attached. I've
asked him in to dinner. You amt going to kick,
you?"
"Oh dear" said Cecilia sitting up and pattrg
her artistic hair. She cast a mournful glance at
the ferryboat poster the wall.
Nit" said Hetty. 1T amt him. You're up
against real life l believe you said your hero
friend had money and automobiles. This is poor
skeezicks that's got nothing to cat but an onion
But he's easy-spoken and not freshly. I imagine
he's been gentleman, he's so low down now And
guarantee his behavior
"Hetty, dear" sighed Cecilia Pm 50 hungry
What difference does it make whether he's prince
burglar? 1 don't Bring him in if he's
got anything to eat with him"
Hetty went back into the hall. The onion man
was gone. Her heart missed beat, and gray
look settled over her face except her nose and
cheek-bones. And then the tides of life flowed in
again, for she him leaning of the front win
dow at the other end of the hall She hurried there
He was shouting to below. The noise of
the street overpowered the sound of her footsteps
She looked down over his shoulder saw whom he
was speaking to, and heard his words. He pulled
himself in from the window-sill and saw her stand
ing him.
Hettys eyes bored into him like two steel gin-
lets.
Don't lie to me-" she said, calmly "What were
you going to do with that onion?"
The young suppressed cough and faced
her resolutely. His manner was that of one who
had been bearded sufficiently.
"I was going to eat it," said he, with emphatic
"And you have nothing else to eat at homer"
Not a thing"
What kind of work do you do?"
Il am not working at anything just now"
Then why" said Hetty with her voice set on
its sharpest edge, do you lean out of windows
and give orders to chaufeurs in green automobiles
in the street below"
The young flushed and his dull eyes be-
gan to sparkle.
Because, madam" said he in accelerando tones,
4 pay the chaufeur's wages and l the auto
mobe-and also this onion-this onion, madam"
He fourished the onion within inch of
Hettys The shop-lady did not retreat a
har's-breath.
Then why do you eat onions she said with
biting contempt, "and nothing ese,"
Il never said l did," retorted the young man.
heatedly. Il said l had nothing else to where
l live. l am not delicatessen storekeeper"
Then why" pursued Hetty. inAexibly, were
you going raw onion"
My mother said the young man, always
made me eat one for cold. Pardon my referring
to physical infrmty but you may have noticed
that l have very. very cold l was going
to eat the onion and go to bed. l wonder why
am standing here and apolosizing to you for it"
How did you catch this cold?" went on Hetty,
suspiciously.
extreme height of feeling. There were two modes
OF descent open to hiu-a burst of rage or sur
render to the ridiculous He chose wisely; and the
empty ball echoed his hoarse laughter.
You're dandy" said he. And don't blame
you for being careful l don't mind telling you. 1
got wet. l was North River ferry few days
ago when girl jumped overheard OF course, L"
Hety extended her hand interruptng his story.
Give me the onion" she said.
The young man set his jaw trife harder.
Give me the onion she repeated.
He grinned, and laid it in her hand
Then Hetty's nfrequent. grim. melancholy smile
showed itself She took the young mans arm and
pointed with her other hand to the door of her
room.
Little Brother she said, go in there. The
little fool you hshed out of the river is there wait
ing for you. Go on in III give you three minutes
before l come. Potatoes is in there waiting. Go
on in. Onions"
After he had tanned ar the door nd