The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-08-29
EVENING STORY
Kisses and Collateral.
(By Archie Cameron New

deserted station to the news stand
See that New York train s an hour |
late again" he remarked graphically |
to the drowsy proprietor. who nodded |
a sleep assent. Give me a copy of /
the 'Tattler.' Is there any eating |
place near here?" +
Bout half a block down the |
street" answered the other briefly, |
handing Brent the ma gaziI.c, then set |
Ting back into his chair with sig
nificant yawn.
Brent looked at him hesitatingly, |
then walked out of the station Rails |
ing his umbrella, for it was raining
hard, he trudged down the quiet
street, until he halted in front OF
dimly-lit lunch-room. He paused
moment in surprise, for very pretty
and dainty young gilI was standing on
tip toes extinguishing the front light,
but as he entered she lefl the light
burning and smilingly demanded MS
order, then disappeared in the dlrec-
ton of the kitchen in the rear Brent
settled himself in chair and opened
the magazine, and did not notice
yoting man, who appeared at the rear
door, scowled at him and then with
drew again
.Huh," grunted the latteI in low
| tone to the young girl at the stove
| Looks like he's settled down for a
stay. 1 was goin' to close down after
| Joe came Whatd he ort.er, sis?"
I'm glad he came" answered the
| girl, dropping an egg into me steam
/ ing pan and ignoring ms question.
| Now l won't have to Wait on that
bum"
err peevishly "Joe's no bum Besides
look at tn trade he brings in. Ano;
darn it. we need the money bad
! enough
| Il don't care if he brought the
whole town in" snapped the girl.
Hes beast, and you know it. Tries
| his best to kiss me every time ne
comes in. If you were any kind OF
brother you'd beat him. And he's al
ways drunk. If he comes IN tohlgh.
You'll wait on him.
bang in the dining room OUTSIDE
was heard and the young man turned
on his sister quickly.
stop your hollerin'," he ordered.
That's Joe now"
AS Joe lurched into the lunchroom
and staggered past Brent's table the
latter disgustedly shrank away from
him. Then the drunken Taxi Joe
skunk into a seat, and, grasping in MS
hand a salt cellar, he beat tattoo
on the table.
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 and his
fists elenched under the table In re-
Spouse to her polite and musical query
if he would have anything else, he
absenlly gave a negative nod and she
started back for the kitchen.
This time, as she passed the drunk S
table, she was not quick enough to
dodge his restraining hand, and he
, pulled her over to him.
please, joe" she pleaded, but her
whisper reached Brent's ears, and he
started involuntarily to his feet, then
. waited, as she added: What do you
/ want tonight?'
"A kiss-a sweet little kiss came
the maudlin answer. 'C'mon now.
I All, now. you don't wanta scream.
It'd ruin your place, y know it. Tn
least little bit of noise an the cops'd
: pinch y in a mint. Now, y gonna
kiss me or scream" And he leered
into her face.
: Wait" pleaded the girl, her face
ashy white I've got to get this gen.
: tleman something. When 1 come back
: I'll kiss you" And she darted away
| to the kitchen, and once in safety
she sank quivering into a rocker and
5 cried openly. Her brother, drowsily
dawdling on a nearby couch, began to
' snore loudly.
Ten minutes slipped by before she
E rose hastily from her chair and hur-
e ried into the lunehroom. AT the door
l she paused in astonishment, for both
the stranger ana Joe were gone! ne
L turning to the kitchen she reused her
brother, and they ran together TO the
1 door, but the stranger, with his scarce
ly tasted meal yet unpaid for, was no
e where in sight, nor was Joe. But the
quest of the watchers was brief for
a new gust of rain drove them inside
e and locking the doors they extinguish-
ed the lights and retired.
4 Half an hour later, just as the girl
e had slipped off tC sleep, loud rap
e room summoned her, attired in a sim
pie dressing gown downstairs At the
j front door beefy policeman accosted
Y her
t Mis- Lucy" he said, shaking off the
rain, I'VE got a young guy mp at tn
!. lookup, who says he owes yeh forty
t cents. Here it is and the Officer
y slipped some coins in her hands Say:
he was eatin in here while ago. Big
D handsome young Teller. brown hair
3 an all dressed up. Know i'm %
y Yes she faltered. But why
y is he-locked up?"
e For fightin','' was the brief reply
Il caught 'em down tn street He
j had his coat around Joes mouth and
r was beatin' tn life outa him--yoi
J, you know Joe, tn one that runs a taxi
s He's at tn hospittle''
At the mention of "Joe," the color
r deathly pale.
/. "Did-do you know what they wer,
e fighting about?' she inquired nervous
p ly.
Bout a woman, guess" replied
n the bluecoat. 9TH young UNI was call
II in Joe a skunk fer mistreatin' a fin,
p little lady. Joe never answered. Neve,
/. had no front teeth left t answer with
s Lucy thought quickly.
MIR. Giles she asked hurriedly
: How much collateral do you want t.
1 let that young man out tonight p
Then she checked a reply from tn
t policeman's lips. mo, 1 mean it. H,
t he came in here to kill time, till hi
train came. He-I know he's too mic,
o to be locked up. How mucho Can
) pledge this place? It's mine"
h The officer again dernLrred, blu
y finally melted before her winning
eyes and accompanied he to the sta
y ton house, where she pledged he