Putnam patriot., 1915-01-08


 syiapafhy. my voice low and earnest.
 You saved me from arrest, and I'll net leave you alone here in the street It this hour of the night"
 she locked at me. her eyes wide open. shining like stars, her face pie turing perpiexity not unmixed with fear
 Il have no place to go:" she sob he'd
 drew in my breath sharply. my lips set iu straight line. Already had
 half snsIdeioned this truth. and yet -here was tliat about the giri-her mau- ,pr. her words. even her dress-which would not permit me to class her among the homeless.
 My God girl And-and l actually believe you are hungry.'
 Her eyes uplifted to my face dumb with agony. her hand grasp upon the rail tightening. Then she pitifully eBGeaeored 10 smile.
 II am afraid am. just little"
 l straightened up, with shoulders flung back. lt was my time to act.
 Then that settles it. You are com ing with me. There is a respectable all night place over there on Desmet street. 1 ate there once a week ago. We'll go together
 She drew back. clinging helplessly to the rail. her eyes on my face.
 "Oh. you must not. r.
 My hand touched her arm.
 "Y>- but l shall." l insisted almost sternly.
 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 l became conscious that my own position was an awkward one. 1 had no money of my own with me not d cent other than those two $500 bills handed me by Vail. The useless ness of attempting to pass one of these WAS apparent. It would be bet ter to plead lack of cash and put up some security if the man in charge re- fused credit. At whatever cost the girl must have food.
 The all night restaurant through the glass front revealed lunch counter and number of cloth draped tables awaiting occupants. A few of these were in use. q single waiter catering to the guests 4 woman was scrub ping the floor under the cigar stand while a round faced rather genial looking yonng fellow stood leaning negligentIy against the cashiers desk Rather doubtfully l glanced uneasily up and down the deserted street and then into the still averted face of my chance companion 1 had no desire she should comprehend my dilemma.
 "WoHld you mind waiting out here on tine step a moment?" questioned awkwardly. attempting to explain. "only until make sure who are in side. There are some fellows 1 am not friendly with. and l am not hunt ing a roughhouse with a girl to look after, Yon won't care for just min ute. will you?"
 No" wearily: "I won't mind"
 You'll promise not to go away"
 
 duly in to the mist.
 No; l won't go away. Where could go?"
 Scarcely satisfied. yet feeling obliged to take the chance. l stepped within and advanced across the room toward the man at the cashiers desk. He glanced up curiously as 1 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 l re turned to the girl she was waiting motionless. her back To the window. and when l spoke followed me in with out word l led the way to the SC claded table behind the screen. seated her and t0ok the chair opposite. With out questioning her wishes ordered for both. tue girl sitting ill silence. her face bent low over the menu card, red flush on either cheek.
 What will you have to drinkf" asked ais the waiter turned aside. I'd rather like d cocktail to drive the wet out of my system. Shall l make 1t two?''
 She glanced up quickly from under shading flashes. her eyes. big and brown. meeting my own
 .I prefer, coffee. That will be quite sufficient"
 ordered coffee. too. and we sat there waiting without further speech, she nervously lingering she card. her eyes yelled by lowered lashes. glanc- ed cautiously across at her. conscious of my cheap clothing and vaguely wondering why my usual offhand ad- dress had so suddenly failed. felt embarrassed. unable to break Jhe si- lence 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 q contem- plation of her face. II was womanly face. strong. true, tilled with charac- ter. not so apt perhaps to be con sidered pretty as lovable-a face to awaken confidence and trust; tow broad forehead. shadowed still by the wide brimmed hat and the nossy brown hair. the skin clear, the cheeks rounded and slightly flushed by ex- citement; the lips fun and finely arch ed: the chin hrm and smooth She suddenly glanced up quesuoningly-
 -You-you do not at all understand my position. do your she asked tim idly. T mean why I should be home less. on the street, alone at-5at sach an Aour!"