The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-08-05
lust A GIRL
Blu ZANE PHELPS
A ROSE.
CHAPTER hR-


Mr. Watkins seemed to like Mary at
once She really was wonder. She
started right in as II she had been a
waitress all her life. About an hour
after the place opened we happened
to be near each other for a moment
and she 1ingled some change and said:
MY first tips. Zena, I felt like a
beggar when took the first one-now
I'm lookin' for 'em.
had been so embarrassed by my
tips that 1 knew something of what
she felt. But while she had become
used to taking them in an hour. 1 felt
sure 1 never would overcome the feel
ing that I was making myself an OBJ
ject of charity, OF be able to acce 1T
lized that 1 was foolish. 1 needed the
tips, it was customary for the patrons
to give them. Should I object. it
would not only be foolish, but probably
make me an object of ridicule.
So I pocketed my pride and my
tips.
See, but I'm tiredr Mary said as
we ate our luncheon. better one
than we had been able to afford, and
to which we both did justice.
Pretty nifty grub.' Mary added
after a moment
Isn't 1t good ?" l returned.
I'm going to make good here, Zena.
I'm goin' to be one of them head wait
resses, you see if 1 amt
Il haven't a doubt but you will
Mary. BIT l never SHALL couldn'tr
From the first day that / had
worked in the restaurant. 1 had noticed
a young man who seemed to take all
his meals there. He had attracted me
by the embarrassed way he tipped me.
He was tall and very thin. He ate
delicately. also very sparingly. He
looked like a student. 1 thought, yet
seemed a bit old. about 49, His clothes
were shiny, but he was always very
neat and clean, his linen spotless, his
shoes shined.
That pale-faced guy is falling in
love with you. Zena," Mary said about
a week after she commenced to work
In the restaurant He wouldn't take
the place the head wanted him today.
but motioned that he wanted to sit at
your table"
Don't be imagining things, Mary.
He probably hadn't a single thought Of
me. Perhaps he liked the location of
the table"
he looks all right-poor tho. You
can't marry a poor man, Zena. Not
as poor as him. He couldn't take
care OF your mother know" Z
And he never will have the chance
Mary! What's the use of talking
about it? some way am sort ~
sorry for him. I wish he wouldn't tin
me- He looks as if he didn't eat
enough"
Better take his tips if you don't
want to hurt his feelin's. tried that
gag with an old man the uther night
Told him We didn't expect tips. he
knew I was lyin' and that 1 had seeh
ne didn't order hardly nethin' at all.
he was that same kind as your Young
man. and he just give one look and
said: do as others do You have
served me very nicely" Then he left
cents by his plate-he had only eat
IS cents worth"
Mary had often. astonished me by
little things that showed her kindness.
She probably would never have men
toned this experience had I not said
1 wished the young man would not tip
me.
After this talk with Mary watched
him when he came in. 1t was as she
had said. He refused other tables,
often waiting until some one left so
he could sit where I would wait upon
MIN. He always spoke pleasantly be
fore he ordered, and after he had I'm
ished. He had a quiet cultivated
voice. and I noticed when he smiled
that he had beautiful teeth, white and
even.
One day he laid a beautiful rose be-
side his plate when he got up from the
table. He blushed as he did so. That
night he gave me no tip. I knew, as
well as if he had told me, that he had
bought the rose to give me, and also
that he probably couldn't afford to do
both. 1 thanked him. but waited to
pick it up until he had gone.
What did tell your" Mary asked.
She had observed the incident. Il
guess I know when a fellow is in
love-
(Tomorrow-Zena tells her story.)