The Greenville journal. [volume] (Greenville, Ohio) 1850-1918, 1915-12-23

/ understand there been some
complaint abcu- the food" he began,
a twinkle in his eye that melted some
Of the threatening glances fastened
upon him Il have understood it was
bad for some time, bat didn't realize
how bad food could be until took a
-" He wrinkled his face wryly and
the ice was broken.
From the back of the crowd a man
laughed. In a second he was Joined
by others and soon Monroe held them
in the palm of his hand.
well, it's going to get better and
get better right away" he declared,
emphatically. I'll go you one bet
ter than that. men, and tell you its
going to get good. Tonight you can
look forward to a real supper-a real
supper, understand"
He turned upon Payne, even as the
men were wildly cheering, knowing
that now was the psychological mo-
ment to make his strongest play.
Get in my car, Lee" he con-
manded, and don't waste any time
getting back here with load of grub
have it here for supper
II.
For once Julia Munroe was ready,
lmpatiently waiting the arrival of her
sweetheart. He had told her moth
ing of the reason for his coming to
town in the middle of the week, told
her nothing of the row. But he had
spoken OF something which had made
her jump from the mass of cushions
against which she spent goodly por-
tion of her days and hustle into her
most becoming afternoon gown. Just
week remained before the date Of
their wedding and she had delayed in
characteristic fashion procuring any
of the clothes she had spent so many
hours planning and dreaming out up
on the divan.
She plunged Immediately to the sub
ject, even before Paynes arms had
relaxed about the waist of her, looking
up into his face in the tantalizingly
irresistible fashion which he, as well
as her father, always found so ire
sistible.
Now, there's no use telling me why
you came to town; there's no sense
trying to talk to me about food for
the men, Therell be plenty of time
after you look over few little things
in the shops with me-"
But l must have it there for sup,
perl tell you, Julia, the situation
became so serious there was nearly a
murderous row at the fields"
Bother the fields" she exclaimed
petulantly. You're just like father
oil, oil, oil morning, noon and night
until I've even ordered the cook tc
leave any Of the hateful stuff out OF
the cooking"
Payne laughed, despite himself
laughed and catching her about the
waist, drew her to him, trying to coax
the pretty, pouting face towards his
own.
"All right" he laughingly capit'l'aa
ed. But on just one cond1tlon-that
we go to the grocery together"
The irresistible music of heI
laughter intoxicated him and, as they
swung into the car he wondered how
in the world he had ever for mo
ment dreamed of resisting her lure
In TACT, as they wandered from shoI
to shop that afternoon, he felt more
and more the hero for the manfu
fight he had put up against he
tempestuous assaults.
And once as he looked at his watch
to his strained, guilty ear came
sharp report, the report of revolver
He started and moved swiftly toward
Julia, placing his arm commandinglJ
upon her wrist. She turned the
witchery of her glance upon him and
for just an instant, the suspicion of 6
frown puckered her brow. 1t cleared
instantly then, with an exquisite, lit
tie whimper she came very close tt
him, lookinr up into his face with the
perplexed and worried expression of {
child.
I'm simply famished," she ex
claimed. Surely, you won't permi
me to starve, Lee. Just mouthfu
and then we can"
Hungry! He started as sh'
voiced his thought of the unappeaset
hunger of those men he had visualizeC
throughout the afternoon. mo really
Julia"
She had his arm in her two, tin,
hands. Intellectual hands they seemed
dainty and blue-veined and almond
tipped at the fingers. And yet, lik
bands of steel, they drew him, despit
! himself, despite everything within
himself that cried out aloud agains
their pressure.
| Ill.
Ira Monroe settled back in his o!
: fee chair, idly staring at the hand
/ of the big clock. He had gone owe
J the books for the first time in Weel
: had listened to Pat Gradys story c
the fracas that had come so near enc
: ing fatally. And, as the old mans eye
l closed, slowly, very slowly his min
Y travelled from the fields to his home i
Los Angeles.
S A faint smile hovered about his lip
e as he thought Of his petted daughter
1 n nAl. I,oA .sr,t-