Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1919-06-11

1lg s
my word!" gasped Mr.. Dillingford,
staring at the register. Someone
from little old New York? My word,
sir, YOU Won't you have a-er-
little something to drink with me be-
fore you"
,"He wants something to eat" inter-
rupted Mr.. Jones sharply. 'Tell Mr..
Bacon to step up to his room and
take the order."s
"All right. old chap nothing easier"
said Mr.. Dillingford genially. "Just
climb up the elevator, Mr.. Barnes. We
do this to get up an appetite. When
did you leave New York?'-
Taking up lighted kerosene lamp
and the heavy pack, Mr. Clarence Dill
1ingford led the way up the stairs.
He was a chubby individual Of indefi-
mite age. At glance you would have
said he was under twenty-one; sec
.ond look would have convinced you
that he was nearer forty-one.
Depositing Barnes pack on a chair
In the little bedroom at the end Of
the hall upstairs he favored the guest
with a perfectly unabashed grin.
I'm not doing this to oblige old
man Jones, you know. won't attempt
to deceive you. I'm working out
daily board bill. Chuck three times
day and bed to sleep in-that's what
Tn doing 1t for, so don't get it into
your head that I applied for the Job.
Let me look at you. want to get a
good square peep at a man who has
the means to 60 somewhere and yet is
boob enough to come to this gosh
awful place Of his own free win and
accord. Darn it. you look intelligent.
/ don't get you at all. What's the mat
ter? Are you q fugitive from justice?
Barnes laughed aloud. There was
no withstanding the fellows sprightly
impudence.
II happen to enjoy walking" said
he.
1T enjoyed 1t as much as you do
I'd be .limping into Harlem. by this
time" said Mr.. Dilllngford sadly. "But
you see I'm an actor. I'm too proud
to walk"
The cracked bell on the office desk
interrupted him, somewhat perenfp-
forily. Mr.. Dillingford's face assumed
an expression Of profound dignity. He
lowered his voi1e as he gave vent to
the following:
''That man Jones Is the meanest hu-
man being God ever let Yes. sir,
coming, sir!" He started fol, the open
door with surprising alacrity.
Barnes surveyed the little bedcham-
Der. 1t was just what he had expected
It would be. The walls were covered
with garish paper selected by one
who had an eye but not q taste for
.color-bright pink flowers that looked
more or less like chunks Of shattered
watermelon sUlt promiscuously over
= background Of pearl gray, The bed
stead, bureau and washstand were Of
fensively modern. Everything was as
clean as pin, however, and the bed
looked comfortable. He stepped to the
small, many-paned window and looked
out into the night. The storm was ut
its height. In all his life he never had
heard such a clatter Of rain, nor Q
wind that shrieked so appaalingly.
His thoughts went quite naturally
to the woman who was out there in
the thick of it. He wondered how she
was faring and lamented that she was
not in his place now and he in hers.
What was she doing up in this Cod
.forsaken country? What was the name
of the place she was bound for? Green
Fancy! What an odd name for q
shouse! And what sort Of house
His reflections were interrupted by
the return of Mr.. Dillingford. who car
ried huge pewter pitcher from which
steam arose in volume. At his heels
strobe q tall, cadaverous person in q
checked suit.
Never had Barnes seen anything
quite so overpowering in the way Of
suit. Joseph's coat Of many colors was
mo longer vision Of childhood. II
was reality. The checks were ar
inch square and each cube had mar
row border Of azure blue. The general
tone was Q dirty gray, due no doubt to
lage and q constitution that would moi
allow it to outlive Its usefulness.
''Meet Mr.. Bacon, Mr.. Barnes" in
PRODUCED Mr.. Dillipgford, going to ths
. needless exertion Of indicating Mr.. Ba
con with a generous sweep Of his free
hand. "Our heavy leads. Mr.. Monta
svue Bacon, also Of New York"
"Ham and eggs. pork tenderloln
country sausage, rump steak am
spring chicken" said Mr.. Bacon In a
.cavernous voice, getting it over with
while the list was fresh in his mem
DRY. "Fried and boiled potatoes. beans
succotash, onions, stewed tomatoes and
--er-just q moment, please. Fried
and boiled potatoes. beans"
''Ham and eggs, potatoes and a cup
or two Of coffee" said Barnes, sup
pressing desire to laugh.
"And apple pie" concluded TIKI
waiter triumphantly. II knew I'd gel
It IL you gave me time. As you may
have observed, my dear sir, am moi
what you would call an experienced
waiter. As matter Of fact, l."