The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1917-09-28
m p. Ei p Ra.iz} ut r. Ss. ~ p tej
. a THE DIFFERENCE - -
ey A. c. NEW


] N"N' Nh"lhNt iANlNlNhi hiiilNf Ni hNt
dispatch board Nn1 walked across the
deserted station 10 ihe news stand.
See that New York trains am hour
and a half late, he remarked crypHcal.
~ TO the drowsy proprietor, who nodded
sleepy assent "Give me copy OF
the faItler. Is There uuy eating place
near here2"
Bout half q hocb down the street, "
answered the other briefly, handing
Brent the magazine
Brent then walked ont of the station.
Raising his umbrella. for il was rain
ing hard he trudgod down the quiet
street, until he halted ia front OF a
/ dlmy-lit unchroom. lie paused a mo-
ment in surprise, for very pretty and
| dainty young glr was standing on tip
toes eXinguishing The front light, but
rs he entered she loft the light burn
ing and smilngy demanded his orr
der, then disappeared in the direction
OF the kitchen In the rear Brent set
tied himself in chair ana opened the
magazine, and did not notice n young
man, who appeared at the rear door,
seowed at him and then withdrew
again.
HUH" grunted the latter In low
tone to the young girl at the stove.
Looks like he's settled down for a
stay. / was gon' TO close down after
Joe came. Whatd he order, sis?"
'I'm glad he came" answered the
girl, dropping an egg into the steam.
ing pan ana ignoring his question,
"Now l 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 luncmoom
skunk into seat, and, grasping fl his
hands salt cellar, he beat fattuo
on the table.
soon the girl emerged from the
kitchen with Brents order, and az
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. III
response to her polite and musical
query II he would have anything else
he absenty gave 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.
"a kiss-a sweet little kiss" came
the maudlin answer. "Cmon now All
now, you don't wanta screaml ltd
ruin your place, v know it.p
"Wait" pleaded the girl, her face
ashy-white. 1--WE got to get this gen.
tleman something. When I come back
I'll kiss YOU" And she darted away te
the Kitchen.
Ten minutes slipped by before she
rose hastily from her chair and hurried
into the lunchroom. AT the door she
paused in astonishment for both the
stranger and Joe We're gone Return
ing TO the kitchen she reused her broth.
er, and they ran together to the door
but the stranger, with his scarcely
tasted meal vet unpaid for, was no.
where in sight, nor was Joe. But the
quest Of the watchers was brief for a
new gust Of rain drove them inside (
and locking the doors they extinguished
the lights and retired.
Half an hour later, just as the girl
had slipped off to sleep, a loud rapping
at the front door beneath her room
summoned her, attired in simple
dressing gown, downstairs. At the front
door beefy policeman accosted her.
mis- Lucy" he said, shaking off the
rain, ''wc got young guy up at th't
lookup Who says he owes yeh forty
cents. Here 1t is" and the officer
slipped some coins in her hands. Says +
he was eatin' in here while ago. Big
handsome young feler brown hair, an
all dressed UP. Know im? +
'Y-es,' she faltered. "But why's
he--locked up?"
"Fer fghtin," was the brief reply i
Il caught 'em down tn street. He had
his coat around Jocs mouth and was
5eatin' tn life outa hin-you know
Joe, tn one that runs taxi. He's at
III hospittle."
At The mention of "Joe," the color
receded from Lucy's face, leaving It
deathiy pale.
'Did-do you know what they were
lighting about?' she inquired nerv-
ously.
Bout a woman, ] guess" replied
the bluecoat. "Tn young un was callin'
Joe a skunk fer mistreatin' a fine little
lady. Joe never answered. Never had
no front teeth left t answer with"
Lucy thought quickly.
'Alr. Giles" she asked, hurriedly.
'How much collateral do you want TO
let that young man out tonightT' Then
she checked a reply froIu the police
mans lips. @No. / mean it. Ile-he
came in here to kill time till his train
came. He-I know he's too aice to be
locked up. How much? Can pledge
this place? It's mine"
The next day Brent rushed into the
restaurant.
Miss Marston-Lucy, be said,
reaching across the counter and TAX
ing her hands in his. Il thank you for
that. But don't thank me couldn't
let the beast kiss you-an0 I couldn't
let him ruin your place So dragged I