Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1920-01-02
LITTLE SUSIE
BY JACK LAYTON,

| tcopyrlght. 1920. Western Newspaper Union3
The big man in the brown overcoat
looked strangely out of place as he
stood In the bamboo framing of the
Japanese tea-room. twirling his soft
hat neryously in his broad hands.
Got in the wrong berth, guess he
| smilingly remarked to the man who
was already an 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 irrepreachabfe as to attire.
| The other, bent studiously to the
artistic menu card. AS a girl stepped
/ noiselessly to his side, he looked up
embarrassed. She WAS a neat little
waitress, clad "a the black uniform Of
the tea-room. filmy, ridiculousIy
small apron about her slim waist. anG
white CUTS reaching to her elbows.
Your order?. she gently reminded.
Haltingly he gave it.
As she moved 20 the side of the
other man. order book in readiness,
the features Of the stranger softened
remarkably.
Veil, Susie" he remarked; how is
your sister,
"No better the girl answered quiet
", adding thank you.n as she with
drew.
The man watched the little figure
ont of sight. his cold eyes alight with
admiration, then imperatively he beck
oned to the naughty woman in white.
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.
'sThe girl interests me, AS waitress.
she is exceptionabIe; has spoiled me,
In fact, from going elsewhere to eat
"Hd like to see her promoted to
something better than this-more re-
munerative. l might be able to help
her"
The woman nodded understandingly.
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 great,
| favorite with our customers. Never
theless. we should like to see her bet
tering her condition"
Gould | talk with herr" the man
asked eagerly.
The woman shook her head.
1T Is against the rules of our tea
ROOM" she reflected, but as it is you,
Mr.. Willard, will give Susie permits
sion to speak with you in the corridor
when you have finished yonr dinner
The man bowed. then impulsively he
left his chair to draw the woman
aside
Miss Burns" he said. 81 have long
considered this special table as my
own inalienable right Can't you in
some way dispose of this rough riderw
'T'll try the woman laughingly re-
piled. and the westeIner promptly
obeyed her suggested change of loca-
| ton.
'"rhe same waitress has charge of
both tables. she explained; "she can
bring your order here"
The westerner had finished his meal
before his former companion languidly
reached for his dessert. and he was in.
the corridor referred to when little
Susie came toward him with ques-
ton In her eyes.
Miss Burns said that man at my
table had something of Importance TO
spy to me- she said, hut did not
think that it would be-you."
The westerner flushed there was
something dearly. though vaguely init
mate, about that low spoken you"
II have" he answered briskly, IF
! you will jus, step down to the waiting
ROOM It's about your sister" he add
ed as the girl wonderingly obeyed. Il
want you to tell me all about her-and
yourself" The little waitress hest
tated.
If Miss Burns sent you to me-" she
/ SdlQ at tdSls NC 6AoN~Aot 40
your interest, but"
sits a true interest" the big man
hastened to assure her, "and just as a
sort of beginning, / wondered IL you
would let me see your sick sister-and
get acquainted with YOU both"
The valued patron of the tea-rooni,
| returning after an absence of several
weeks upon unexpected business.
looked about anxiously for his fayorite
waitress.
"a new girl came TO take his order.
Willard hurriedly heckoned Miss Burns
| to his side
"where is Susie?" he asked hrusque-
~. Il was disappointed that last day
in not being able to find her n the
hall l intended TO start her at once
as clerk in my office. Business re-
| ouirements TO be acquired later"