The Madison journal. (Tallulah, Madison Parish, La.) 1888-current, 1915-02-27

scribe Miss Wenzel? There is one of
her in every small town. Let me
think business of hand on brow).
Well, she always paid eight dollars
for her corsets when most girls in a
similar position got theirs for SO cents
in the basement Nature had been
kind to her. The hair that had been
a muddy brown in Minnie's schoolgirl
days it had touched with a magic red
gold wand. Birdie Callahan always
said that Minnie was working only to
wear out her old clothes.
After the introduction Miss Wenzel
followed 10 Haley into the lobby. She
took no pains to lower her voice.
We'll must say, Mr.. Haley, you've
got a fine nerve! If my gentleman
friend was to hear of my working with
an ex-con / wouldn't be surprised If
he'd break off the engagement. |
should think you'd have some respect
for the feelings of a lady with a name
to keep up, and engaged to swell fell
low like Mr.. Schwartz"
Say, listen, m girl" replied 10 Ha-
ley. THE, law don't cover all the
tricks. But If stuffing an order was a
criminal offense I'll bet your swell
travelling man would be doing a life
term"
red worked that day with his teeth
set so that his jaws ached next morn
ing. Minnie Wenzel spoke to him only
when necessary and then in terms of
dollars and cents. When dinner time
came she Invested herself of the black
sateen sleeveless, wriggled from the
shoulders down la Patricia O'Brien,
produced a chamois skin, and disap-
peared in the direction of the wash
room. Ted waited until the dining
room was almost deserted. Then he
went in to dinner alone. Someone in
white wearing an absurd little pocket
handkerchief of an apron led him to
a seat in far corner of the big room
Ted did not lift his eyes higher than
the snowy square of the apron. The
Apron drew out a chair, showed it I'M
der Ted's knees in the way Aprons
have. and thrust printed menu at
him.
Roast beef, medium" said Ted,
without looking up.
BLESS your heart, yuh amt changed
a bit. | remember how yuh used to
jaw when it was too well DONE" said
the Apron, fondly.
Ted's heart came up with a Jerk.
$50 yuh will cut yer old friends. is
it," grinned Birdie Callahan. IF this
wasn't a public dining-room maybe
yuh'd shake hands with a poor but
proud workin' girrul. Yer as good
lookin' a divil as ever, Mister Ted"
Ted's hand shot out and grasped
hers. Birdie! could weep on your
apron! never was so glad to see
anyone in my life. Just to look at you
makes me homesick. What in Sam
Hill are you doing here?"
"Waitin'. After yer ma died. seemed
like ! didn't care t work fer no pri.
Wit family, so ! came back here on my
old job I'll bet I'm the homeliest
head waitress in captivity"
Ted's nervous fingers were plating
the tablecloth. His voice sank to a
whisper. Birdie, tell the Gods truth.
Did those three years cause her
death?"
"Niver!" lied Birdie 81 was with
her to the end. 1t started with a cold
on tn chest Have some French fried
with yer beef. Mr.. Teddy. They're
illigent today"
Birdie glided off to the kitchen. Au.
thors are fond of the word glide "
But you can take 1t literally this time.
Birdie had a face that looked like
a huge mistake. but she walked like
a panther, and they're sad to be the
last cry as elders. She walked with
her chin up and her hips firm. That
comes from Juggling trays. You have
to walk like that to keep your nose
out of the soup. After a while the
walk becomes habit Any seasoned
dining-room girl could give lessons in
walking to the Delsarte teacher of an
Eastern finishing school
From the day that Birdie Callahan
served Ted with roast beef medium
and the elegant French fried she ap-
pointed herself monitor over his food
and clothes and morals wish could
find words to describe his bitter lone
illness. He did not seek companion
ship. The men. although not directly
avoiding him, seemed somehow to
have pressing business whenever they
happened In his vicinity. The women