The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1918-02-11
THE Difference
BY A. c. NEW.



deserted station to the news stand.
"See that New York trains an hour
and half late" he remarked cryptical-
ly to the drOwsy proprietor, who nodded
a sleepy assent. "Give me a COPY of
the Tattler. Is there any eating place
near herep'
"'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 it was rain
ing hard, he trudged down the quiet
street, until he halted in front of a
dimly-ht lunchroom. He paused q 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 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.
'HuhP' grunted the latter in low
tone to the young girl at the stove.
'Looks like he's settled down for a
stay. was goin' to close down after
Joe came. What'd he order, sisY'
''Pm glad he came" answered the
girl, dropping an egg into the steam
ing pan and ignoring his question.
''Now I won't have to wait on that
bum"
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 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,
he absently gave negative nod and
she started back for the kitchen.
This time, as she passed the DRINKS
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. 1--we got to get this gen.
tleman something. When I 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 lunchroom. At the door she
paused in establishment, for both the
stranger and Joe were gonel 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 yet 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, 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 of the
rain, 1--WE got young guy up at tn
lookup, who says he owes yeh forty
cents. Here it is" and the officer
slipped some coins in her hands. Says
he was eatin' in here while ago. Big,
handsome young Teller, brown hair, an
all dressed up. Know imr
'Y-es," she faltered. "But WHY'S
he-locked up?
@Fer fightin'," was the brief reply.
ST caught 'em down tn street. He had
his coat around Joe's mouth and was
beatin' tn life outa him-you know
Joe, tn one that runs taxi. He's at
tn hospittle."
At the mention Of 'Joe," the color
receded from Lucy's face, leaving it
deathly pale.
'Did-do you know what they were
fighting aboutT she inquired nerv-
ously.,
"'Bout a woman, guess" replied
the bluecoat. 9Th young un' was calm
Joe skunk fer mistreatin' fine little
lady. 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 that young man out tonightT' Then
she checked a reply from the police
mans lips. mo, I mean it He-he
came in here to kill time till his train
came. He-I know he's too nice to be
locked up. How much? Can pledge
this place? It's mine"
The next day Brent rushed into the
restaurant.
Miss Marston-Lucy," he said,
reaching across the counter and tax
ing her hands in his. 81 thank you for
that. But don't thank me. I couldn't
let the beast kiss you-and i couldn't
Iaf him rT1in v0ur Mace so i dragged