Perth Amboy evening news., 1920-01-30
LITTLE SUSIE
BY JACK LAYTON.

The big man IN the Drown ONeTCOal
looked strangely out of place as he
stood in the bamboo framing of the
Japanese tea-room. twirling his soft
hat nervously in his broad hands.
Got in the wrong BERTH guess" he
smilingly remarked to the man who
was already an occupant of the table.
Z The one addressed remained in stony
silence, his gaze travelling apparently
unseeing over the newcomers lead.
He was an aristocratic appearing man
and lr~reprOaChable 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 in the black uniform OF
the tea-room. a filmy, ridiculously
small apron about her slim waist, and
white cuffs reaching to her elbows.
"Your order?" she gently reminded.
Haltingly he gave II.
AS she moved to the side of the
other man. order book In readiness,
the features of the stranger softened
remarkably.
Well, SUSIE" he remarked; show is
your sister,"
mo better" the girl answered quiet
ly, adding a 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
oned to the naughty woman in white.
~Deferentially, she bent her head to
him.
Eyes, 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 e~xceptionable; has spoiled me,
in fact. from going elsewhere to eat.
I'D like to see her promoted to
something better than this-more re-
munerative. / 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 pennlless.
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
favorlte with our customers. Never
theless, we should like to see her bet
terlng her condition.
Gould l talk with herr" the man
asked eagerly.
The woman shook her head.
at is against the rules of our tea
room.' she reflected, but as 1t is you,
Mr.. Willard. l Will give Susie permits
sion to speak with you in the corridor
when you have finished your dinner"
The man bowed, then impulsiyely he
left his chair to draw the
aside.
Miss Burns" he said, "I have long
considered this special table as my
w inalf liable right. Can't you in
some wa% lspose of this rough riderT
"I1l try" the woman la%ughingly re-
piled, and the westerner promptly
obeyed her suggested change of loca-
ton.
THE 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 a ques-
tion In her eyes.
miss Burns said that a man at my
table had something Of Importance to
say to me-" she said, 'but I did not
think that 1t would be-you."
The westerner flushed; there was
something dearly, though vaguely init
I mate, about that low spoken 'you."
81 have" he answered hriskly, "if
you will just step down to the waiting
room. It's about your sister" he add
/ I'd as the girl wonderingly obeyed. 81
want you to tell me all about her-and
yourself" The little waitress hest
tated.
IF Miss Burns sent you TO me-" she
edlu at AdSt, . 6ioIc1ui y
your interest. but"
ITS q true interest" the big man
FASTENED to assure her, "and just as a
sort of beginning, l wondered II you
would let me see your sick sister-and
get acquainted with you both"
The valued patron of the tea-room
returning after an absence of severa
weeks upon unexpected business,
looked about anxiously for his favorite
waitress.
A new girl came to take his order,
Willard hurriedly beckoned Miss Burns
to his side.
"Where is Susie?" he asked b~rusque-
ly. 81 was disappointed that last day
in not being able to find her In the
hall. l intended to start her at nee
as clerk in my Office. Business re
quirements to be acquired later"
Miss Burns patted her couture. ~
Little SUSIE" she said. "has sur
prised us all. Those quiet nes al
ways do. She was married just thres
weeks after you left, to the big mar
whom you called a rorgh rider wher
he sat at this table. II seems that HI
Is a great western capitalist instead
Susie sent us some wonderful picture:
of her new western home, and shes
"