The Holly chieftain., 1921-10-06
Down the Dumb
waiter Shaft
BY FREDERICK HART.


"Oh, think gas stoves are the
Ineanest things"
Tears stood in pretty Mary Davis
eyes. She had had little enough trou-
bic in her life in the Belladonna
apartments, but the gas stove seemed
always to be. thing endowed with a
malignant ,devilish spirit that dehed
her. try Us she would to regulate it.
And now, when she had such nice
supper ready 10 prepare, the thing
wouldn't work. 1t either refused 10
light AT all or exploded with a vicious
bang that frightened Mary nearly to
death. She stamped her foot.
Il hope you blow up and-and
smash yourself to pieces!' she cried.
addressing the inanimate cause of her
troubles. She knew that it was no
good appealing TO the janitor-tliat
worthy Iurked low i'll a den where
only the boldest tenant dared tread,
and Mary had no desire to meet him
in argument She wiped her eyes.
IF ! only knew something about
Stoves" she walled aloud. But l
don't, and. can't cook any supper. and
and"
She sank on the bed and gave her
self TO tears.
"A knock ON her door startled her.
She sprang to her feet. hastily dabbed
| at her eyes, and opened the door: In
the hall stood a young man, dittident
yet smiling.
II believe You have something
wrong with your gas stove" he began
oh, i have--indeed l have! Are
you a." She paused, not sure OF
the name for men who repaired gas
stoves. The young man took her up
TIN nOt-tllat Is to say, Pm not II
-eguiar gas-stove expert" he said
enough to know something about theit
little habits and tricks. And thought
l might fix yours" He had entered
us lie spoke. and Mary looked at him
for the first time in clear light. He
was handsome, she decided at once
and lie had nice eyes and an engaging
smile. And surely lie had come as
opportunely as an angel from heaven
There 1t is" she said, pointing ont
the horrid object. 81 can't do any
thing with IT,"
The young man approached the
stove without a tremOr, as one wht
has no fear. He twiddled its valve.
with cnntemptuous familiarity, tryin:
to light it once or twice. Then ht
reached into his pocket, extracted /,
pair of pliers and lOosened joint ol
two. poking into pipes with match
stick. AT last he Strengthened him
self.
II think it'll work all right now,
ne said. Let me try 1t. Have you s
match"
He turned the valve, struck TIL,
match she lad given him and applied
the fire to the burner. A little pop =
sounded, and the clear blue flame of ,
perfectly functionlng gas range re
warded him. Mary gave little or.
of JOY.
"Oh, you are clevcr!" she cried. at
all right now. isn't it?" How can
ever thank you:" A chilling though
entered her mind "Do I-how mucl
is ft-does it cost?"
The young man Strengthened hi!
hack, cramped from STOPPING.
"Well, there's no charge. But |
you have Bit of salt to spare yo,
might let me borrow n pinch" he re
piled. II haven't Il scrap of salt IL
my place"
"Of course III let you have tn
ss't." she said. kprr:,ing to open
paper bag. But l wish you'd let m
give you something fer your trouble.
ut wasn't any trouble-it was
pleaamre,' replied the young man, an
bowed. And then he kept on bowIn
farther and farthe-, ill he tumbIed t.
the floor and lay still.
Mary kept her head got water an,
dabbed it on his forehead and lai
him in an easier position. And thel
she saw what she had not noticed be
fore-that his face was pinched an
white and his cheeks were hollow.
At last he opened his eyes.
"Tm-l'm dreadfully sorry" h
stammered. 81 don't know what wa
the matter with me- Just sort o
tainted, guess-I'l go now"
"You'il do nothing of the sort. Tel
NE. how long Is 1t since you've eaten
1.-Two days." confessed the youn
man. II have job that will pay m
well. hut don't 60 to work till tOmOi
row. and I've been living all this wee
on "A loaf OF bread. That's what
wanted the salt fort makes 70
thirsty and then you drink Il lot O
water, and then you don't feel $
empty"
Marys hands We're flying anon
the packages.
"Youre going to stay and have SUI
per with me-" she said calmly. III
hadn't been for you | wouldn't hav
oeen able to cook anything. Now yO