The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1915-08-23
DINNER IS WAITING
~ KEITH KENYON.

bLs and 6nteTeu tne loDDy OF west
marks best hotel. She registered and
a bellboy carried her suitcases up to
her room.
There she unpacked and made her
self comfortable with the deftness of
an old traveller. for Nell had been a
travelling saleswoman for three years
and knew all the lights and shades
Of ors-Eight stops.
Jewery was her line. and in the
compact sample case, that looked
more like a closed book than anything
else. Nell Drew carried line OF sam
pies that charmed orders out Of de-
partment store buyers.
She hummed tune as she dressed.
She had grown into this habit through
a peculiar state OF mind that had ex-
listed ever since she had told Jerry
Mason that she wasn't going to tie
herself down to any mans domestic
plant-she was going to carve out
a career for herself, M
Jerry had sighed. ITS bit tough
he admitted. "Tve been dreaming for
months past how you'd meet me at
the front door and say, Jerry. dear.
dinners waiting for youl'"
Nonsense" laughed Nell. but the
laugh was shaky one. and Jerry
was stupid or he would have heard
the Quaver In her voice; but he had
accepted 1t as her ultimatum and had
gone away And Nell had decided
upon her career and was making a
success OF II.
Tonight she was passing through
the usual ordeal and she hurried
through her toilet so as to go down
to the dining room where the light
and the clatter would put to flight any
impertinent longings for domestic
life.
Westmark was large middle west
ern city and the Westmark hotel was
an excellent hostelry. 1t was ia
vorite stopping place for motorists,
and Nell was not surprised to find the
dining room well filled.
Nell sat down, noting with a little
purr OF satisfaction that the table ap
pointments were above criticism. A
tall vase Of pink carnations was In
the middle OF the damask cloth and a.
pink-shaded candle stood at either
end. st
Sno could discern black coat
sleeve and large masculine hand pick
ing up a soup spoon. The rest Of
har yis-a-vis was hidden behind the
flowers. Just as she picked up the
menu and chose her soup, the hand
across the table reached forward and
removed the vaseof flowers.
Even flowers should not stand be-
tween old friends said a familiar
voice
Jerry" Her hand went across the
table to meet his in warm clasp.
What are you doing in Westmark,
anyway she asked, with something
like her old air Of camaraderie.
Tive here" he replied tersely.
In westmark? What are you do
Ing here-practicing law?'
He nodded. I'm full-fedged cor.
poration lawyer now. ! live at this
hotel"
You do? Then you're not she
paused In slight hesitation.
"No, I'm not married. he said quiet
ly. II suppose you are succeeding
In your chosen career or you would
not look so happy"
Last year my sales topped all the
others she boasted, aand was the
only woman traveller on the list"
Happy woman" He was crum-
bling his bread aimlessly and eating
nothing. "You don't look like a mas.
culine sort of woman he went on
bitterly Il suppose, though. that you
can talk right up to the men and get
orders out OF EN-. eh?"
Nothing of the sort" she retorted
| Indignantly Most of the buyers
approach are women, and the few men
who select from my samples are more
interested In the hne values | oher
them than in my personality"
| He appeared slightly relieved At
this and began to attack his salad
/ Win sOllt oHOW vi ofpCtftO-
The sound OF his voice. the sight
OF him. the certainty that he was I'M
| changed aroused fond memories In her
heart. She was terrified at the food
| Of emotion that swept her and left
her white and shaking with fear
Fear OF what? she asked herself
| and her traitor heart confessed fear
he would go away and she should
nci see him again.
How Insignificant seemed her tri
umphs In the business world! Here
was Jerry deprived of home. Twins
at hotel, depending upon his friends
for table companions or perhaps some
chance woman like herself. Suppose
IL It had been another woman who
had occupied her seat-some charm
ing girl who would attract Jerry anf
with whom he would fall madly II
love. And very likely he had go'
over his love for her.
| The thought was fnaddening. sh'
stole glance at him. Still he wa'
neglecting his dinner and his big
capable fingers we're making littl'
round pellets Of the bread crumbs.
| Nell Drew, head saleswoman To-
Green & Barkis. jewelers.. drew
long quiyering breath, and timidl.