The Lamar register., 1920-07-21
ONE ROMANCE
TO ORDER
sy EvERALD }. APPLETON


fans-in preference to the uninterest-
ing human beings that filled the room.
Ahead Of her were numerous other
noon lunchers: behind her were more.
Presently she reached the counter
on which were piled black and bat
tered tin trays.
Her small. perspirnE palm held an
unpunched lunch-check. and Mary
Eleanor Edith's eyes scanned automat-
ically the familiar bill of fare print
ed on the wall
Day after day she waited for a tray
named the food she could afford but
did not want.
Automatically SHE ate; automaticai-
iy she would return to the factory.
Her whole life was as methodicai and
automatic as folding MACHINE Moth
ing ever really happened. Mary Flea
nor Edith longed for unreal sdyen-
lures. ana she expressed 1t thus:
Gee, don't this Job give girl the
willissf
Suddenly the man In front of her
nrched forward. Mary Eleanor Edith
caught at his arm. He regained his
Of potato on which he had slipped. and
turned q reddening but smiling face
upon her.
'ThankA" said he. though she had
merely pinched his arm when she
grabbed al him.
"How's the veal oday. Beilef'
Tough" mumbied Belle. slancins
covertly in the cashiers direction.
Same old thing. then" Mary Flea
nor Edith sighed; but gimme 4 piece
Of coconut pie for a vacation 70
Net until she had nicked a napkin
OF the pile In the center of the table
and on It wiped the knife. fork and
spoon. did she look up-snd into the
frank blue eyes OF the man who had
slipped.
Kinder drift together, don't wer
ns commented easily. stirring his cof.
Tee industriously. Come here reg
larr"
Mary Eleanor sawed At her sand
wich. Don't get new" she advised
cr1sply.
He bristled- you should worry I
rm NO chicken.thief. Can't thank
you for saving me from busting my
head, thouGhr Mary Eleanor Edith
frowned.
Maybe It ought to a been busted =
shs offered
They ate In strained silence for fvs
minutes. Then putting both hands on
the edge Of the table. be pushed back
and spoke.
-Say"-snd there was honesty In
his tones a. we'll as In his eyes--you
look tired. ! bet you are tired Sick
to death Of your job. whatever II Ia
Would give q weeks wages for Q
sure'nough adventure. Sod l. There
wasn't any run for me at the car-barn
today-fm q sub-conductor-so l got
my day OF without pay. I'm goin' to
q movie show. and maybe to the White
City afterwsrd. gotter report again
at seven O'Clock this evening. What
do you sayr'
You don't have TO report to
mer' retorted Mary Eleanor Edith
..what've I gotta do with itY'
"1 wondered" he returned. "if you
wouldn't 60 with mer'
"On the levelf'
Sure Come on and pretend We
know each other. anyway. It'll be 9
change"
"Tn 60" said she. Then the three
Of them-Mary Eleanor Edith. Ro-
nance, and the frank-fsced young
uan-psssed out into the crowded
street and the smoke-impregnated sun
shine and heat of the city.
Mary Eleanor Edith, ciingins des-
perateiy to the hand of Romance. mur'
INJURED: wonder what tn bunch at
the bindery'll think-"
WIN they IRE your he asked. She
nodded.
Il guess SO, but don't care"
Il know how you feel" he com
forted her. "And there's other Jobs
They had reached the picture thea
ter, and he caught her elbow respect
fully. Here's where We start" be
whispered. laying down his money for
the tickets "Twor'
Two of the three reels-ail "nrst
runs and real thriliers"-had dick.
cred their way through, when q COM
- motion down the aisle drew their at
tsntion away
"Firer" shrilled a voice. and MARY
Eleanor Edith stood up The sub
pulled her down again. "Sit still
it's only a nghtT he ordered If