The Meeker herald., 1918-09-28
I ~ hAA ~ - - ah nd
!. THE Difference F.
BY A. c. NEW.
'AA AH AHAAA - ~


gave another impatient glance at the
dispatch board and walked across the
deserted station to the news stand.
''See that New York trains an hour
and half late" he remarked crypticnl-
ly to the drowsy proprietor, who nodded
sleepy assent. "Give me copy of
the Tattler. Is there any eating place
near here7"
"'Bout half block down the street,
answered the other briefly, handing
Brent the magazine.
Brent then walked out of the station.
Rnisng his umbrella, for 1t was rain
Ing hard. he trudged down the quiet
street, until he halted in front of
dimly-lit lunchroom. He paused mo-
ment In surprise, for very pretty and
dainty young girl was standing on tip
toes extinguishing the front light, but
as 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
tied himself In a chair and opened the
magazine. md did not notice young
man. who appeared at the rear door.
scowled 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 n
stay. l was goin' to close down after
Joe came. What'd he order, sis?"
"I'm glad he came" answered the
girl. dropping an egg into the steam
Ing pan and Ignoring his question.
snow 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 lunchroom.
skunk into seat. and grasping in his
hands a salt cellar, he beat a tattoo
on the table.
Soon the girl emerged from the
kitchen with Brent's order, and ms
she passed Joe she stepped out Of his
way as he made grab for her arm.
Brent noticed her agitation MS she set
the dishes down In front of him. In
response to her polite and musical
query II he would have anything else.
he absently 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 mnudlIn answer. "C'mon now. All.
now, you don't wanta scream! It'd
ruin your place. y know it."
+ "wait!" pleaded the girl, her face
ashy.whIte. "Ive got to get this gen
tleman something. When come back
I'll kiss you" And she darted away to
the kitchen.
Ten minutes slipped by before she
rose hastily from her chaiP and hurried
into the lunchroom. At the door she
paused in establishment, for both the
stranger and Joe were gone! Return
Ing to the kitchen she roused her broth.
er. and they ran together to the door.
but the stranger, with his scarcely
tasted meal yet unpaid for. was mo-
where in sight. nor was Joe. But the
quest of the watchers wns brief, for n
new gust OF rain drove them inside,
and locking the doors they extinguished
the lights and retired.
Half m hour Inter. just ms the girl
had slipped OF to sleep. loud rapping
summoned her. attired In simple
dressing gown. downstairs. AT the front
door II beefy policeman accosted her.
"Aiis' Lucy" he said, shaking of the
rain. 1--WE got n young guy up nt tn
lookup. who says he owes yeh forty
cents. Here 1t is." and the officer
slipped some coins In her hands. "Snys
he was cntin' In here while ago. Big.
{ handsome young feller. brown hair. an
nll dressed up. Know 'lm?"
"Y-es." she faltered. 'But why's
he-locked upT
Fer fghtin'." was the brief reply.
"I caught 'em down tn street. He had
his cont around Joe's mouth and was
bcatin' TIL life outa him-you know
Joe. tn one that runs taM. He's ut
tn hospittle."
At the mention Of "Joe." the color
rcccded from Lucy's face, leaving It
deathly pale.
"Did-tlo you know what they were
fighting about7" she inquired nerv-
ously.
"'Bout n woman, I guess" replied
the bluecont. 9TH young un' wns callin'
Joe n skunk fer mistreatin' fine little
Indy. Joe never answered. Never had
no front teeth left t answer with"
/ Lucy thought quickly.
"Mr. Giles" she asked. hurriedly.
"How much collateral do you want to
let thnt young man out toniSht?' Then
She checked reply from the police
mans lips. mo, I mean 1t. He-hc
came in here to kill time till his train
came. >He-I know he's too nice to be
,.,.., ,,o YJ,,r vnucho Can 7 plptvp