The Monmouth inquirer., 1921-08-04

"Thanks! But my wife doesn't i've
here. It's awful kind Of you, I'm sure
but you'll find my wife in the third
house beyond the bakery. down TWO
blocks-turn to the right. She'll be
glad to see you"
"That's good,s Hepsey responded.
sbut you see l don't have much to do
on Thursdays. and III just have a lit
tie visit with you, now I'm here. Fine
day, isn't IT."
Mrs. Burke drew up char and sat
down, adjusted her feet comfortably
to the rung OF another chair. and pull
cd out her knitting from her work bag
much to the CONSERVATION of the pro-
prietor Of the place.
"How nice you've got things fixed
up, Mr.. Bingham,s Hepsey remarked,
gazing serenely at the seductive var
iety of bottles and glasses, and the
glare of mirrors behind the bar.
"Nothin' like havin' fine loolin'
place to draw trade. Is business pros
perrin now-a-days?"
Silas turned three shades redder,
and stammered badly as he replied:
"Yes, I'm doin' as well as can ex-
oect-erI suppose,
"Probably as well as your custom
ers are doin', should imagine? You
don't need to get discouraged It takes
time to work up trade like yours In
nice decent neighborhood like this "
Silas stared harder at the unwel-
come intruder, glancing apprehensive-
ly at the door from which several CHS
toners had already turned away when
through the glass, they caught sight
of Mrs. Burke. He was desperately
i'll at ease, and far from responding
cordially to Hepsey's friendly ad
vances; and his nervousness increas
ed as his patrons continually retreat
ed, occasionally grinning derisively at
him through the glass in the door.
sIf you don't mind me sayin' 1t Mrs
Burke. / think you'd be lot more
comfortable at my house than you are
here.t
~Oh, I'm perfectly comfortable,
thanks: perfectly comfortable. D0n't
you worry bit about me-"
"But this is saloon, and It aint
just what you might call respectable
for ladies to be sittin' in saloon, now
is it?'
"Why not?"
The question was so sudden, sharp
and unexpected that SiIas jumped
and almost knocked over bottle OF
gin, and then stared In silent chagrin
at his guest, his nervous lips moving
without speech.
Il don't see," Hepsey continued,
sjnst why the men should have al the
fun, and then when a woman takes
to enjoyin herself say that it isn't
respectable. What's the difference.
I'd like to know? This Is right cheer
ful place, ana feel Just like stayin
as long as want to. There's no law
sgainst woman goin' to saloon is
there? / saw Jane Dwire come out
Of here Saturday night. To be sure,
Jane aint just what you'd call so
ciety lady, as you might say; but as
long as | behave myself don't see
why l should go,'
"But ma'am," Silas protested IN
vrathful desperation, 4 must ask yoa
to go. You'll hurt my trade If you
stay here any longer"
"Hurt your trade! Nonsense! You
aren't half as polite as / thought you
were. I'm awful popular with the
gentlemen. You ought to be payin'
me commission to sit here and en-
tertain your customers, instead OF in
sinuating that 'aint welcome. Ali
Here comes Martin Crowfoot. Have
MT seen Martin in the longest time"
Martin sIouched in and reached the
bar and ordered before he caught
sight of Mrs. Burke. He was Just rats
ing the glass to his lips when Hepsey1
stepped up briskly. and extending her
hand. exclaimed:
"How do you do, Martini How are
the folks at home? Awful glad to see
YOU"
Martin stared at Mrs. Burke. drop
ped his glass. and muttered incoher-
emily. Then he bolted hastily from
the place without paying for his drina.
Bingham was now getting 4 bit hys
terical over the situation. and was
tsbout to make another vigorous pro
test. when Hiram Green entered and
called for some beer. Again Hepseyl
extended her hand cordially, and IIir-
am jumped as If he had seen a ghost
for they had been friendly Tor years.
"Hepsey Burke, what in the name Of
ell that's decent are you doin' Ia
place like this?y he demanded when
he could get his breath Don't you
know you'll ruin your reputation If
you're seen sittin' in saloen?"
aOh, don't let that worry you, HI
ram. My reputationd freeze stroke
iof ughtnin You don't seem to be
worryin' much about your own reputa
tion,
"Oh well. man can do lot Of
things woman can't. without losin'
his reputation"
For an instant the color famed IN
to Mrs. Bl1rke's face as she retorted