The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-12-07
EUening Story
The Road Toward Home.
BY CLARISSA MACKIE.

The great circular lunch counter in
the railroad station was busy spot az
all times, but there were breathing
spells'-after the heavy express trains
from the East and West had pulled
out and the lunch counter settled
down to its routine of serving the
scattered travellers, and even towns
people, who liked the well-cooked food
and the swift service.
One October day after Priscilla Fair
had been there two months, and was
counted the most rapid of all the
deft mattresses. there came a sudden,
unexpected rush of customers that
filled the stools to the last one. "Pleass
take that one for me. Pris," begged fat
Annie Hardy, as she numbered past
with a plate of clam chowder in one
hand and a trimming cup of coffee
in the other. She nodded toward the
last stool at the circular counter, the
one next to the cross counter. Pris-
ella nodded and slipped around the
shining urns and faced the waiting
customer.
She saw n pale-faced man with
logged eyes who stared first at her,
then down at the menu in his hand.
When he lifted his glance to her again
his eyes were not logged nor kind nor
anything. Just cold and Indifferent as
becomes a stranger.
Priscilla was chilled Most men
and many women looked at her dell
cate prettiness with kind eyes. She had
a warm. friendly smile, tho acquain-
lance never developed beyond passing
greetings of the day. THAT girl is 3
recluseH' Annie Hardy. had burst out
one day-but while We are describing
Priscilla, the strange young man Is
waiting hungrily for his order to be
taken.
'eVVell - prononted Priscilla AT last
"Oh," he started, looked at her and
rubbed his eyes. Bacon and eggs
and coffee" he said CURLY. While
she was Coma he read a railroad time
table. He was still reading it when
she returned with the food which sna
placed before him.
You are reading it upside down, -
she said softly.
Reading WHAT"
1.-The time table"
oh" glancing at it and thrust
ing 1t into his pocket thank you"
You're welcome-going away again
soon ?" she asked wistfully.
Tonight" briefly. Sugar, please. -
Priscilla pushed The sugar bowl
toward him and tore > check out of
the bunch at her waist. Anything
else?"
What have you got-that's good -
Apple pie"
Sure"
81 made it."
All right-IlI take a chance -
grudgingly.
Priscilla went away. The counters
were growing empty. She looked pale
and tired. Annie caught her arm.
You're all in, honey" said the kindly
soul. "Ill take care of your order
there and keep your tip"
"No-no-" cried Priscilla fiercely.
'1'll see to him"
Annie Iangbad ShrawdIV "Ruu
along, Pris; first time I've ever seen
you notice a man-he's just a plain
farmer amt he?"
1t was a pale smile that Priscilla
threw over her shoulder as she bore a
large piece of fresh apple pie to the
stern young man at the counter. She
was glad that Murphy, the pro-
prietor, had agreed to try one of her
apple pies and since then she had
earned extra money by making pies
for the counter. Murphy's Lunch was
famous for its homemade apple pies
After he had eaten the pie, Priscilla
punched the check and laid it beside
his plate then she began to remove
the soiled dishes.
Wait" he said, abruptly.
Priscilla waited, her eyes dark. ex-
pcetant
Have you been here long?" he
wanted to know.
1.-TWO months"
Where did you learn to make apple
pies?"
MY aunt showed ne how"
oh. Do you want to know what
I'm doing here?"
She nodded.
Looking for my wife. She went
away from me because I criticised
her cooking. Spunky little thing
| And she went away just for that!'
He looked hard at her
You must have said mean fait, ors
to her." said Priscilla, the pink creep
ing into her checks.
Maybe I did, and maybe 7 wa.
sorry about it. And after I'd put in
a couple of loads of hay perhaps ]
went to the house to tell her how NEAR
was and try to make up-and found
she had gone Only married three
months!'
How are you going to find herr
asked Priscilla, her white face eager.
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