The Little River news., 1919-12-24

 nent in the collection was the photo graph of Rodney Grant, taken i'll the pleasanter days. Often had Milly stud jed 1t as she sought to train her vii full locks-so often that when the real Rodney Grant came into Peters and growled his order to her over the clut. tered counter, through the stubble of beard and the hard lines of failure she recognized him at once
 At first she merely reflected upon the strangeness of it all-of this man, who had been feted and wined. who had lunched with president, sitting in Peters chop house, ragged and home less, awaiting ten-cent meal. 1t was what the cheap magazines Milly read would term romance. If written up
 Then it flashed on her. Here was a story that would set writing man on fire. Here was human interest, news. pathos, romance, and even humor. It might prove the big story by means of which some man, hitherto halting and confused in his work. should find him, self The making. for instance, of Randolph Spade. He was sitting not ten feet away
 Milly moved rapidly toward him Here was his chance-if he would only see 1t He must see tiff he couldn't he was not meant for the newspaper game. after all. He would see it. and 1t would be the turning point.
 Milly saw him in Roses tweeds, car. rying Roses stick. wearing Roses strangers smile The sight sickened her.
 .,ow, analysing the motives of woman would be like attempting a chart of a storm at sea. There will be no try here to tabulate and ex- plain the many conflicting currents. Suffice it to record what happened.
 Milly moved close to Spade and, smiling at him. refilled his water glass. Then she passed on to where fresh cub, whom she disliked, was struggling with an order of ham and eggs. She whispered into the cubs ear. He was a writer, if he was fresh, and his face lit up like sunrise. He deserted his supper on the instant and followed the disappearing Grant into the street.
 Milly went back again and passed through the motion of filling Spades glass, although he had not touched it in the interval.
 Flows things?" she asked.
 Pretty bad." he said. Same old grind"
 Never mind," she began. "You'll-"
 But the realization of her treachery rose suddenly and choked back the words She turned and began furious ly to cut bread for sandwiches
 When Spade came in the next night Milly avoided his eyes as she set the glass of water down before him
 "What'll 1t be tonight?" she haz- arded.
 The boy leaned suddenly across the counter.
 "Milly," he said. "I thought you were my friend"
 Milly's startled gaze sought his.
 "Why-sure," she said.
 Have you seen young Longs story?" he asked.
 Her eyes fell.
 "The one on Grant" he went on. Its something of story, Milly-but no wonder. Think of it-an interview in City Hall park at midnight with bum who had once-Td like chance at story like that. Long has struck twelve-they're raising him, under stand. He's been here only month. Milly, I thought you were my friend"
 Why" began Milly.
 Long told me you gave him the tip" went on Spade. q didn't come here to knock-I just want to understand. You passed me to give him the tip, and all along you have been saying you hoped"
 It was the truth!" cried Milly fierce ly. 'I did hope you'd make good wanted you to. Honest did-but-"
 "What?"
 Not so soon." She was kicking bread tin under the corner with her shabby toe Her unlovely hands fum- bled napkin
 I'm pleased to see Long go." she said softly. "I didn't like him. I'm pleased to see him get into the glad rag cl..ss and cut this place forever. Rut-Lut-"
 She was blushing. It was a pitiful blush. It spread it's pink through her sallow cheeks and up into the roots of her uninteresting hair. Spade turned away.
 "I'll have the Spanish omelette to- night, Milly," he said
 While she served him he studied her furtively. For the first time the sor. did little tragedy of her role in life dawned upon him. She and her sym. pathy made but an early way station at which men stopped for moment on their journey to success and then passed on, forgetting her forever in the dazzle of new life And it was Milly's lot to stay behind-and remem- Der. Spade watched her.
 He was seeing more clearly than he had seen in months-seeing the trag- edy that is life. An idea-big, start ling cOmnellinu-stirred within hiM