Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1918-09-11
THE DAILY NOVELETTE,
With Aid OF the Waitress
By Ida E. Rogers

in Khaki sitting opposite her at the
table. and her blue eyes beamed ap-
proval She had never seen a more
kindly or more intelligent face. she. told
herself. and she knew he would be
brave. too. when the occasion should
arise She began to wish she knew him.
The waitress had been busting about
the table, and Barbara. looking down
suddenly. noted to her surprise that
plate containing two orders of rolls had
been set directly between her PLACE and
that of the young man, When the full
significance of this struck her she be
came Mortified. It was evident that the
waitress thought that they had come
in together oh, II she could only catch
seemed to look at every one but her
Why hadn't she gone to the place where
she usually went at night and not ven
tured into this restaurant? The young
man was absorbed in paper and ap-
narently had not noticed the waitresss
mistake.
When hours had passed according to
Barbara's feelings the two orders h were were
man. He looked up with n start: but
II was only n fraction of a minute that
surprise mastered him. Then he started
in to serve Barbara is If 1t were an
very day occurrence.
IT'S best to pretend we came to-
gether." he said in n low voice. after
the waitress had hurried away to other
patrons.
few moments her difidencc wore away
and she suddenly found herself chatting
with the young soldier In the most un-
conventional way. She felt twinge Of
regret when the dinner was over and
they had to go their separate ways.
He had taken no advantage of their
strange meeting, and they parted as
hey had met. strangers.
In the DAYS that followed Barbara
thought much about the Young man in
khaki His kindly dark eyes seemed to
follow her wherever she went. and she
often caught herself scrutinizing
crowd with a hope that she might see
him again She had not entered the
restaurant whore they had met since
that night Although she had passed
II many times. she did not have the
courage to enter.
one evening. about month later.
Barbara decided to go to see Grace
lincoln a girl acquaintance. who lived
out Of town In the course Of the eve
and when she had finished Grace
'arrhed mmoderately. great deal
nor" than the occasion would seem to
warrant
Before Barbara took her leave her
friend said with n twinkle in her eve:
" want YOU to come out next Tuesday
wight. NV cousin from Wilton is com
'rr ~ visit ~" for two or three davs.
md 7 would I',Ic TO have you moet him
r'no sure vou'n like him. You'll come.
'"Ont vou?"
Barbara promised that she woulG.
come. Ordinarily she would have gone
Nome delighted. hut now she did not
'."l nleased Mt tho rrosnect of meeting
races cousin. What did she care abou,
r0einC him?
When TuesCnv evening came she took
n train for her friend's house, and Z,
'"ns little before 3 when she arrived
fh"re. Grace came to the door In an
swer to her ring, meeting her with n
-
and ] know you'll like him
Barbara smiled unconcernedlv. As
they entered tho living room a tall figure
in khaki who haG been sitting before the
open fire rose and came forward The
girl could hardly believe her own eyes
was blushing furiously as Grace intro
duced her to her cousin hut Richard
Young soon put her at her ease and it
was not long before she was chatting
with him as she had at the restaurant
He did not once allude to their former
meeting. and for this she was very
grateful. Just before she left Grace
drew her aside moment.
Richard has been trying to find YOU
ever Since that night" she said. 'He
'olc me all about it-he and I have al
ways been like brother and sister,
never had an idea that you were the
girl until last week when you were out
said you would like him" she added
with roguish glance, land by the way
things look l guess"
Hes very pleasant" broke in Bar
hara. her face burning with bushes
Grace said nothing more, but smiled
knowingly.
Barbara was pleased when Richard
Young offered to see her to the train,
and as they walked along together she
felt as If she had always known him
I'm going to call on you tomorrow
evening" he announced boldly as the
train rumbled into the station. Pro
viced. of course, that you want me to
come"
"Yes--I want you to come" Barbara
shyly answered him.
The next evening Richard told her
that he had been called, and that he
expected to go away the following
week.
When I come back ! want some one
I know to be waiting for me. Do you
think she will. Barbara"
And Barbara answered softly, II
know she, will, Richard"
Tomorro,c'S Complete Norelette-
"BETWEEN FLOORS"