The Lakeland evening telegram., 1917-12-08

haps, the best-cared-for patron in the |
place. Molly Carey, who waited on |
him, always saw to that while she |
waited wistfully for the day when he
would turn his eyes in her direction. |
She had that motherly tender look in
her eyes that an artistic soul needs
In the eyes of his life partner-and
seldom chooses. If Watrous was con-
scious Of this attention no one knew
1t but Watrous. He sketched on the
menu cards whatever came within his
vision and tossed the quaint little
sketches aside when finished, just as
he came he cast aside his serviette
when the Hnal mouthful Of coffee had
passed his lips.
He always left dime on the table.
Molly Carey saved all those dimes.
She preserved them no less systemat-
ically than she saved every sketch
that Watrous made on the menu
! cards.
The sketches were far more clever
than she realixed-portraits Of patrons
in various characteristic attitudes. The
very tone, or, perhaps, lack Of tone, OF
the cheap little restaurant was vividly
drawn.
The only sketch he had made which
Watrous did not leave in the restau-
rant was one of Moolly. Something
about her wistfulness, her entire lack
Of self-consciousness, had dragged a
hasty likeness of her from his pencil.
He had it in his room on his shaving
stand. Dreamy, semicOnsciOus ap-
probation had prompted him to put it
there.
Watrous was never definite about
lunching anywhere. There were days
when the last quarter had gone "some-
where in the world Of spent money"
But because he never quite knew
whether his coat was on or not, nor
remembered having purchased cloth
ing at odd optimistic moments, Molly
Carey supposed him to be desperately
poor and unhappy.
Molly never craved temperament.
She only wanted to be human and
make other people comfortable, but
she had thrill of the ultra tempera-
I upOu TIC uuy WHICH, ShC tooh thV
sketches Watrous had made to an art
dealer. The artist on lower Fifth ave-
nue. offered her so wonderful a price
, for them that for the moment she float
ed high up in bubbling cloud Of emo
tionalism.
Acting on her own counsel, Molly
left II with the art dealer and brought
bool> 20 <ootofulIv Promod to tho rao-
taurant. The manager was delighted.
. His round face beamed, and he gave
Molly a good-szed check for the pos
. session of the drawings.
9 In the evening when the days work
? was over Molly stayed at the restau-
, rant and helped hang the drawings.
An artistic, quaint atmosphere took
hold of the room. Fascination, that
, most mysterious of all powers, reach
ed out and claimed the mind. The
I small restaurant became homy, while
2 ] at luncheon next day animated groups
Of patrons stood gazing at themselves
vividly drawn in those characteristic
poses. They brought friends, and
friends brought mure friends.
Watrous, when ne had discovered a
mountainous check fitting his plate,
cast swift glance at the drawings on
the walls and deep flush rushed over
his brow. He wanted to hide under
the minute serviette. He rammed the
check into his pocket and tried to look
unconcerned.
He went home that evening, and his
eyes proclaimed the fact that he was
off dreaming again. When he went to
the place where he was won't to fiddle
he grouped his friends about him and
told them a tale which dragged them
one and all over 90 the other restau-
rant on the East side. When they en-
tered with babble of laughter and
happy with expectation and the joy of
new scene, Molly and the manager
drew apart.
There was something defiant in the
expression Of his eyes that prompted
Molly to seek shelter. for he was MAX
ing straightway through the line of ta-
bles for her.
Watrous caught Molly and encircled
her with his arms. I'm spite of himself
he trembled. Breathless silence fol-
lowed. The crowd waited.
Watrous looked down into Molly's
eyes. She cast swift glance around.
blushed charmingly and snuggled her
!, head against his shoulder.
The silence was broken by cheers.
q Love had met love, and all was well,
Copyright, 1911. by the Mcclure NevsDs.
per Syndi :ate.)