Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1919-07-14
DAILY NOVELETTE,
THE AMATEUR
WAITRESS
BY Grace Weatherby

VIE lunCnrOOH WIS CTOWutus III WIS
l. the noon hour Of a sultry, rainy day.
Umbrellas and raincoats were much in
evidence. From out the hot kitchen
came a girl, slim and graceful, bearing
a huge tray piled high with dishes and
food. Mr.. Mullaney, the owner of the
lunchroom. was impatient and angry
at her. He hated mattresses, anyway,
and this one was worse than the
average.
Hurry up, Miss Goodwin, your Gus
toner is waiting"
The girl pushed her way through the
crowded aisle, and just as she neared
the table she tripped over an umbrella
carelessly leaning against a table. She
fell headlong, the big tray crashing to
the floor, scattering broken dishes and
food everywhere. The customer,
business man. rose with an exclamation
of disgust and left the lunchroom. Two
young men hurried to assist the girl
to rise. She was very pale. and she
grasped her left wrist tightly. Mr..
Mullaney shouldered his way to the
scene of the wreckage. That will do,
Miss Goodwin, you can go now. Get
your money at the desk" The girl
turned and wearily left the lunchroom.
Boyd Martin and his companion went
back to their table, finished their meal
hurriedly and went out to the street.
They had lost their appetites. Earnie
Hathaway spoke first. "Jove. the poor
- Il - thnt
Some girl. III say. Guess she hurt
her wrist
Martin did not answer. He was busy
with his thoughts. Where had he seen
that girl before? Some picture, some
where? In vain he strove to place her
Earnie grasped his arm excite,r;
"Look, Boyd. isn't that the girl now ?
Let's speak to her."
Nothing loath. Boyd followed his
friend and accosted the girl. 81 beg
your pardon" he said. but we were
in the lunchroom when you fell. Did
you hurt your wrist?'
For an instant the girls blue eyes
flashed angrly at his presumption. and
then as she looked at Boyd's face. dc -
void of all boldness, she answered, "Oh.
thank you. it was kind Of you to help
me. | guess I've sprained my wrist
1t hurts dreadfully."
Let me bandage it for you till YOU
can get to doctor" he urged. She
consented, well aware of who he was.
Boyd Martin, the heir to the Peter Mar
tin millions. What would he say if he
knew who she was? What was he do :
ing there in a cheap lunchroom? Mar
tin tied his handkerchief about the in :
jured wrist, and after directing her to
doctor lifted his hat and left her,
still puzzled as to her identity.
Six weeks later reception was given
to Paul Ordway, just returned from
overseas. The big Ordway house was
blazing with lights, and steady stream
of taxis drove up and away again, In
the centre of an admiring group sat
Norma Ordway, sister of the hero. a
vision in rose. Presently her mother
approached the group with young
man. Norma, my dear. Mr.. Martin
wishes to be introduced to you. Mr..
Boyd Martin, my daughter, Norma. -
The girl took his proffered arm. and
as he led her away he said in a low
tone. 80 this is who you are, Yes. I
remember now. / saw your picture on
Paul Ordway's dresser at college.
knew l had seen you somewhere.
Norma affected innocence. "Why.
Mr.. Martin, what do you mean?'
He looked at her sternly. "Now. Miss
Ordway, you remember as well as I do
the scene in the lunchroom. Why did
you go there as mere waitress?"
She laughed, surrendering. "Well. I'll
tell you. One Of my friends, a social
worker. rebuked me for my uselessness.
l then made her a bet that could earn
my own living-for a month at least
and be dependent on what earned for
my food and shelter. She agreed to take
the bet and I told mother l was going
to visit this friend. Even now mother
doesn't know of my escapade. started
out, secured job as a cash girl in a
department store. l kept it a week and
was discharged because I got tired toe
quickly. Then ! was a clerk in a busi
ness house. Needless to say I was found
incompetent. I never did know how Ia
add! The waitress job was the last
and the day / fell was the end of the
month. I was all In. won my bel
though
Boyd listened eagerly. "what was
it?"
"A tiny white Persian kitten. would
you like to see it?'
She led the way to the library and
then left him while she went for the
kitten. She returned with it, curled
up asleep on square white pillow,
AS he bent over it Boyd thought the
pillow top looked familiar. It was his
linen handkerchief which he had bound
her wrist with. AS he looked up he
caught her laughing at him.
$50 this is the way you treat nv
handkerchief" he said.
"Yes; kitty and it sort of belonged
together, you know"
A few months later a canoe glidec
lazily out upon river. The occupants
were very quiet.
"why the silence, BoydT" asked
the girl.
"Well, Norma, was Just about tc
offer you a position"
What kind of a position?'
LAS a waitress!'
The girls silvery laugh rang Out