Tensas gazette. [volume] (St. Joseph, La.) 1886-current, 1915-08-27


parlor of the once dignified old house.
Although Helen had wanted to see
what this much-talked-of anarchist
restaurant was like, the sitting Gig
arctic smoke and bare tables were
not alluring. She was almost glad
when Warren came back with brief
full up"
But as they turned to leave some
body called out jovially. Hold on
there! Always room for two more!
Warren nodded his thanks as they
took the end of a bench made vacant
by the others sliding themselves and
their dishes closer together.
Somebody showed toward Warren q
soiled menu mimeographed in purple
ink. CHANGING over his shoulder
Helen saw the items. Bean soup. 1Oc;
Small steak, Csc; Succotash. &c" and
promptly decided that the food was
too cheap to be either good or clean.
Seem to be shy on walters" War
rem tried to catch the eye Of a man
in shirt sleeves dashing kitchenward
with an overloaded tray.
"Steve's the only food singer here
but he's a wonder" man opposite
informed them socially.
He must be to wait on this
crowd" admitted Warren
Never been to Mollie's before?"
This is our first offense."
well, I'll show you the ropes
Write your order on this" reaching
for a small pad, land give it to Steve
Then forget IT,"
ANY bread up that way?" called
someone.
"Sure!" and q long French loaf
went coasting down the bare table.
Helen thought Of the wet. dirty
dishcloth with which Steve had just
wiped of one Of the other tables. and
decided nos to eat any bread.
How about a cocktail?" Warren
asked their friend opposite. Can you
get anything to drink here?"
IF they know you. Take a chance
write 1t down anyway"
Dear, look!" Helen was gazing al
the weird hectic-colored posters above
the line of coats. Are they Cubist
and Futurist-or what?"
There's the chap that drew them
The man opposite pointed out an
anemic-looking youth with flowing
hair and tie Maybe he knows"
Steve now dashed up with a tray
laden with bowls of thick. reddish
brown bean soup. Two of these he
showed across the table to Warren.
The soup had stopped over the
nickel edge of the bowl in smeary
brown streaks. With a feeling Of re
vulsion Helen pushed 1t from her.
whats the matter?" sharply. Nov
no supercilious airs here!"
But. Warren, can't very well cal
soup with fork" for only a fork and
black-handled knife were at hel
place.
THE spoons are out there In the
pantry-in a box to your right" waf
the helpful suggestion of a young
woman next to Helen.
With the air Of habitue, Warren
strobe back to the green swinging
door. beyond which several Of the
others had foraged.
Did things look clean?" whispered
Helen when he returned with the
spoon.
Didn't notice." indifferently. "Ah
here we sre!" as Steve slammed be
fore them two cocktails in plain whis
ky glasses.
The cocktails were dark and sweet
ish and Helen drank hers with dis
taste. but It gave her courage to try
the soup.
"If Steve don't bring all you order
(the man opposite reached for his ha
and coat. hustle out and help your
self. That's the rule here"
His place was soon taken by a dark
foreignlooking woman with cleaning
black eyes and pallid skin. Sht
seemed well known here, and wal
greeted with careless familiarity.
zone OF my blue days." as she II
a cigarette with long. nervous hands
How I loathe Sunday! II I'd had I
good dose of cyanide. I'd have shut
fed OF today"
"Oh, we all feel like that at times.
comforted the man with the vandyk'
beard who sat next to her. VIVA
got you hipped today?"
IT don't know" musingly, watching
the circle of her cigarette smoke, lex
cept this was the anniversary of m!
| divorce"
'"Wouldn't mind a little thing lik'
that" said her neighbor cheerfully
Taking on her dusty black hat. sh'
tossed It up on . hook. Her dark
cloudy hair was coiled in a careless
knot low on her neck.
| Helen watched her, fascinated. I
was q glimpse into q different world
Who was this weird. dark-eyed WON
an? What did she do? In spite o
her unhealthy pallor and her shabbi
ness, she was curiously attractive.
Nov that's what l call a fetching
get-up," grinned Warren az a mai
came in with q SLOUGH hat, baggy col
duroy trousers, and sandaled feet