Vernon Parish Democrat. (Leesville, La.) 1917-193?, 1920-01-17

p9nt ~ the c0leCtlon was the pAotQ-
graph Of Rodney Grant. taken IN the
pleasanter days. Often had Milly stud.
led Il as abe sought 20 train her vii.
fll lOcks-so often that when the real
Rodney Grant came into Peters and
growled his order 70 her over the clut-
tered counter. through the stubble OF
beard and the hard lines Of failure she
recognized him az once.
Al Grst she merely reflected upon
the gtrangeness Of Il 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 q ten-cent meal. Il was
what the cheap magazines Milly read
would term romance. Il written up
Then II flashed on her. Here was
story that would set g writing man on
fire. Here was human interest. news,
pathOs romance, and even humOr. Il
might prove the big story by means Of
which some man. hitherto hating 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 It He must see tiff he couldn't
he was not meant for the newspaper
game, after all. He would see Il. and
It would be the turning point.
Milly saw him in Roses tweeds, car
rying Roses stick, wearing Roses
strangers smile. The sight Sickened
her
Now. Analysing the motives Of q
woman would be like attempting q
chart Of a storm at sea. There viii
be no try here to tabulate and ex-
plain the many conflicting currents.
sufice II to record what happened.
Milly moved close to Spade and.
smiling at him, refilled his water glass.
Then she passed on to whore q fresh
cub, whom she disliked, was struggling
with an order Of ham and eggs. She
whispered into the cubs ear. He was
q writer, II he was fresh, and his face
lit up like q 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 nlling Spades
glass, although ho had not touched
It In the interval.
"HOw's 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.
''WhatIl it be tonight" she haG-
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.
1.-THE one on Grant" he went on. "Tt's
something Of a story. Milly-but no
wonder. Think Of tan interview in
City Hall park at midnight with bum
who had Once-Td like a chance at a
story like that. Long has struck
twelve-they're raising him, under
stand. He's been here only a month.
Milly, thought you were my friend"
why" began Milly.
Long told me you gave him the tip"
went on Spade. 81 didn't come here to
knock just want to understand You
passed me to give him the tip, and
all alorg you have been saying you
hoped"
1T was the truth" cried Milly fierce
~. 81 did hope you'd make good
wanted you to. Honest did-but-"
"What?"
mot so soon" She was kicking
a bread tin under the corner with her
shabby toe. Her unlovely hands fum-
bled a napkin
'I'm pleased to see Long co." she
said softly. 81 didn't like him. I'm
pleased to see him get into the glad
rag class and cut this place forever.
But-but-"
She was blushing. It was q pitiful
blush. It spread its pink through her
sallow cheeks and up into the roots
of her uninteresting hair. Spade
turned away.
"Ill 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
patty made but an early way station
at which men stopped for a moment on
their journey to success and then
passed on, forgetting her forever in
the dazzle Of a new life. And 1t was
Milly's lot to stay behind-and remem-
Der Spade watched her
Ja vuo0 saasmU vonua a1ao~IVB kHaow ~