The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1917-09-29
h N N m VA "a m N m "a m sa nm
: THE Difference =

BY A. c. NEW.

deserted station 10 the news stand.
"See that New York trains an houl
and half late" he remarked cryptical
ly to the drowsy proprietor, who nodded
a sleepy assent. "Give me copy Of
the Tattler. Is there any eating place
near herer
"'Bout half block down the street,
answered the other briefly, handing
Brent the magazine.
Brent then walked out of the station
Raising his umbrella, for 1t was rain.
Ing hard, he trudged down the quiet
street, until he halted in front of a
dimly-lit lunchroom. He paused a mo-
ment In surprise, for very pretty and
dainty young girl was standing on tip
toes extinguishlng the front light, but
hs he entered she left the light burn
ing and smilingly demanded his Or
der, then disappeared In the direction
of the kitchen In the rear. Brent set
tiled himself In chair and opened the
magazine. and did not notice a young
man, who appeared at the rear door,
scowled at him and then withdrew
again.
"Huhr grunted the latter In a low
tone to the young girl at the stove.
Looks like he's settled down for Il
stay. / was goin' to close down after
Joe came. What'd he order, sis?"
"rm glad he came" answered the
girl, dropping an egg into the steam
ling pan and ignoring his question.
.'Now I won't have to wait on that
bum"
A bang in the dining room outside
was heard and the young man turned
on his sister quickly.
AS Joe lurched into the lunchroom,
skunk into seat, and, grasping in his
hands a salt cellar, he beat a tattoo
on the table.
I Soon the girl emerged from the
kitchen with Brent's order, and as
she passed Joe she stepped out of his
way as he made a grab for her arm.
Brent noticed her agitation as she set
the dishes down In front Of him. In
response to her polite and musical
query If he would have anything else,
IlC uDSChtig 6uNC a hNSabfV hoa obN
she started back for the kitchen.
/ This time, as she passed the DRINKS
liable, she was not quick enough to
dodge his restraining hand, and he
pulled her over to him.
please, joe" she pleaded.
"a kiss-a sweet little kiss" came
the maudlin answer. "Cmon now. All,
now, you don't wanta screaml It'd
ruin your place, y know it."
wait" pleaded the girl, her face
Ashy-white. 'T've got to get this gen.
tleman something. When l come back
I'LL kiss you" And she darted away to
the kitchen.
Ten minutes slipped by before she
rose hastily from her chair and hurried
into the lunchropm. At the door she
paused In establishment, for both the
stranger and Joe were gonei Return
ing to the kitchen she reused her broth.
err. and they ran together to the door,
but the stranger, with his scarcely
tasted meal yet unpaid for, was no
where in sight, nor was Joe. But the !,
quest of the watchers was brief, for i
new gust of rain drove them inside, I
and locking the doors they extinguished G
the lights and retired.
Half an hour later, just as the girl I
had slipped off to sleep, loud rapping
at the front door beneath her room
summoned her, attired In a simple
dressing gown, downstairs. At the front T
door beefy policeman accosted her.
mis- Lucy" he said, shaking Off the G
rain, 1--WE got young guy up at tn
lookup, who says he owes yeh forty
cents. Here 1t Is" and the officer 9
slipped some coins in her hands. Says n
be was eatin' In here while ago. Big, c,
handsome young Teller. brown hair, an h
ali dressed up. Know 'imT'
"Y-es," she faltered. 'But WHY'S Il
upT' :
Fer fghtin'," was the brief reply.
I caught 'em down tn street. He had
lis coat around Joe's mouth and was
Zoe. tn one that runs taxi. He's at
h hospittle."
At the mention of "Joe." the color
eceded from Lucy's face, leaving 1t
leathly pale.
''Did-do you know what they were
lighting aboutT she inquired nerv-
'usly.
"'Bout a woman, l guess" replied |
he bluecoat. 9TH young I'M was calm
oe skunk fer mistreatin' fine little
ady. Joe never answered. Never had
o front teeth left t. answer with" =
Lucy thought quickly.
mfr. Giles" she asked, hurriedly.
How much collateral do you want to
It that young man out tonight?' Then
he checked a reply from the police
lan's lips. "No, i mean Ii. He-he
anne in here to kill time till his train
anne. He-I know he's too nice to be
'cked up. How much? Can / pledge B
lis place? It's NINE"
The next day Brent rushed into the
sstaurant.
Miss Marston-Lucy," he said.
aching across the counter and TAX
q her hands in his. Il thank you for
lat. But don't thank me. / couldn't b
{ the beast kiss you-and / couldn't o
{ him ruin your place. So / dragged
m out first. then beat him. Butt
cant blame him much for wanting IN <,