The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1920-08-26
LUNCHEON
FOR TWO
BY EVELYN LEE

1t was the first position Effie Davis
had held and necessity had driven her
to 1t. She had lived with an aunt
since her parents had died. Miss Hol-
comb had some rented tenements and
she had neglected to care for the In
surance. One night they burned down
and she was left pennlless.
Effle found work with a city firm,
which made a speciality OF manufac-
turing novelties. Among them was a
small bank used by the deposltors of
savings institutions and the duty Of
Effie was to examine them.
There were over fifty employees Of
the concern and most of them worked
In large rooms In groups, but Ellie
had a room all to herself. At one side
was a long bench with a running
leather belt which carried the banks
from another part of the factory.
Eflie felt decidedly economical and
her wages at the start were a merely
negligible quantity. She brought but
a meagre lunch and never went out
| at noon for q meal as some Of the
other girls did. There were two per-
sons in the establishment only who
spoke to her amid her isolation. Ons
was the manager, Harry Brand. lie
was a boastful, familiar acting fellow
and Effie tried to keep him at a dis
lance, for twice he had asked her to
dinner, invitations promptly declined
by Efle. The other worked In the
Office Of the plant and was an open
faced, CHEEKY young man, who nodded
pleasantly to Effie every time he met
her, but he had never infringed upon
the graciOusness of her friendly smile
by dallying at the door Of her work
room. He gave himself the name Of
Willis Humphrey.
Every noontime Humphrey came
past the door with tin pail and went
down into a back street, returning
with it half filled with hot coffee and
carrying in the other hand a paper
bag. More than once even after her
sparse luncheon Eflle had felt half
famished as the appetizing aroma of
the coffee was waited to her senses,
and her Imagination reveled In the
thought Of warm newly cooked rolls.
One noOntime the young man halted
just outside her door, for he had read
her longing upon her expressive face.
Pardon me, Miss Davis" he spoke,
but you look as though you envy me
the possession of my frugal refresh
ment. 1t is that, indeed, for the coffee
costs only a nickel and the buns the
same. An old lady down the court
prepares them. If you say so, | can
take your order noontlmes. All you
will have to supply is little pail like
this Of mine and cup"
Effie acqulesced in the arrangement
and 1t led the way TO a most pleasur-
able noon hour for both. 1t got to be
so that Humphrey did not carry his
coffee on to his own department, but
shared the same in Etfle's company.
They had just got through with their
modest lunch one day when Brand APP
peared, frowning, and directing an an
cry glance at Humphrey.
"Thls is not your department" he
snapped out, land your being here is
against the rules"
Silently Humphrey left the room,
for technically Brand was in the right.
He fingered outside in the entrance.
however, as he heard Brand say in
changed, suave tone:
swell, little one, I have good news
for you. You will have a raise in
wages next week. | have arranged
that, Don't / deserve a kiss for my
good offices In your behalf2"
There was an indignant reply from
Efie, jeering laugh from Brand and
then a struggle. Humphrey sprang
into the room. He found that Brand
had seized Efiie's arm and was trying
to press his lips to her own. Hum
phrey struck out and heavy blow
sent Brand to the floor, where he lay
unconscious.
81 did not mean to strike quite so
hard" said Humphrey, examining the
senseless man. Then he picked up n
long pOcketboOh that had fallen from
the pocket of Brand. 1t spread open
the contents, various letters and d0cu-
ments. A certain packet especially
attracted the attention Of Humphrey.
His eyes glowed with satisfaction and,
to the amaZement of Efile, he trans
ferred this to his own pocket. Just
then Brand reused up. He began re-
wiling Humphrey and threatening
Efle with discharge from employment.
Come, Miss Davis" said Hum
phrey quietly. This Is no place for
yOu-nor for me- either, after this"
he added In tone mysterlously signif-
icant
"But what shall I do?" spoke Eflie,
as they reached the street II must
have work"
Her companion regarded her fond
ly. "Miss Davis" he said, II have
an explanation to make you which
may clear the present situation consid-
erably. | am not William Humphrey;
my right name Is Elston Ward, and |
am man of means. My being at the
plant was to watch Brand, who does
not suspect who ! am. He Is engaged
to n cousin Of mine who Is infatuated
with him. TO save her have been
watching him, and with what ! have
discovered and some letters / just Sc
cured, can convince her that he is an
INSCRIPTIONS villain, already profess