The Ocala evening star., 1920-03-04

BY JACK LAWTON.
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tCopyrigbt 1920. Western Newspaper unIon)
The big man III the brown overcoat
looked strangely out Of place as he
stood in the bamboo framing Of the
japanese tea-rOOm, tWirling his soft
hat nervously III his broad hands.
Got in the wrong berth, l guess" he
smilingly remarked to the man who
was already al occupant of the table.
The one addressed remained in stony
silence, his gaze travelling apparently
unseeing over the newcomers head.
He was an aristocratic appearing man
and irreproaChable as to attire.
The other, bent studiously TO tie
artistic menu card. As a girl stepped
noiselessly to his side, he looked up
embarrassed. She was a neat litIe
waitress. clad in the black uniform of
the tea-rOom, Il fiImy, ridicuLOusly
small apron about her slim waist, and
white cuffs reaching to her elbows.
Your orderE" she gently reminded.
Haltingly he gave it.
AS she moved to the side of the
other man, order book in readiness,
the features of the stranger softened
remarkably.
"WeIl, Susie" he remarked; "how is
your sister?"
mo better" the girl answered quiet
ly adding thank YOU" as she with
drew
The man watched the little figure
out of sight, his cold eyes alight with
admiration, then imperatively he beck
To ho in y1vhi ta
Deferentially, she bent her head to
him.
"Yes, Mr.. Millard?"
The man spoke as one accustomed to
having his wishes attended
"Tell me about little Susie" he said.
'"The girl interests me. AS a waitress,
she is exceptionable has spoiled me,
in fact, from going elsewhere to eat.
''Pd like to see her promoted TO
something better than thiS-mOre re-
munerative. l might be able to help
her"
The woman nodded Understandings.
Little Susie has a story" she said.
"She and an invalid sister were sud-
denly left homeless and penniless.
They came to the city where Susie
might find employment. Our tea-rOOm
suggested itself to her, because of the
number of free hours she might have
for her home duties. The care of the
sister falls upon her Susie Is a great
favOrite with our customers. Never
theless. we should like to see her bet
tering her condition"
Gould l talk with herr" the man
asked eagerly.
The woman shook her head.
''It is against the rules of our tea
ROOM" she reflected but as it is you,
Mr.. Millard, l will give Susie permis-
sion to speak with you in the corridor
when you have finished your dinner"
The man bowed, then impulsively he
left his chair TO draw the woman
aside.
Miss Burns" he said, "I have long
considered this special table as my
own inalienable right. Can't you in
some way dispose of this rough rider p
''Tll try" the woman laughingly re,
piled, and the weSterner promptly
obeyed her suggested change of loca
ton.
both tables" she explained; "she car
bring your order here"
The westerner had finished his mea
before his former companion languidly
reached for his dessert, and he was ir
the corridor referred to when little
Susie came toward him with a ques
tiOn in her eyes.
Miss Burns said that man at my
table had something OF Importance Il
say to me-" she said, "but I did no
think that it would be-you.'
The westerner flushed; there wa!
something dearly, though vaguely init
mate, about that low spoken you"
81 have" he answered briskly, "i
you will just step down to the waitins
room. It's about your sister" he add
ed as the girl wOnderingly obeyed d"
AoII. ,II