Clearwater Republican. [volume] (Orofino, Idaho) 1912-1922, 1921-11-11
Down the Dumb
waiter Shaft
By FREDERICK HART.

eyes. She had had little enough trOu-
Bile in her life in the BelladOnna
apartments, but the gus stove seemed
always to be thing endowed with a
malignant, devilish spirit that defied
her. try as she would TO regulate 1t.
And now, when she had such nice
supper ready to prepare, the thing
wouldn't work. II either refused to
light at all or exploded with vicious
bang that frightened Mary nearly to
death. She stamped her foot.
II hope you blow up and--and
smash yourself to pieces!" she cried,
addressing the inanimate cause OF her
troubles. She knew that 1t was no
good appealing to the janitor-that
worthy lurked low in den where
only the boldest tenant dared tread,
and Mary had no desire to meet him
In argument. She wiped her eyes.
If l only knew something about
Stoves" she walled aloud. But l
don't, and l 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
ut her eyes, and opened the door: In
the hall stood young man, diffident,
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.
I'm not-that is to say, I'm not a
regular gas-stove expert" he said.
But I've lived in apartments long
enough to know something about their
little habits and tricks. And thought
/ might fix yours" He had entered
as he spoke, and Mary looked at him
for the first time in clear light. He
was handsome, she decided at once,
and he had nice eyes and an engaging
smile. And surely he had come as
opportunity as an angel from heaven !!
''There 1t u.s." she said, pointing out
the horrid object. II can't do any
thing with It,"
The young man approached the
stove without a tremor, as one who
has no fear. He twiddled its valves
with cOntemptuOus familiarity, trying
to light 1t once or twice. Then he
reached into his pocket, extracted a
pair of pliers and loosened joint or
two, pOking into pipes with match
stick At last he Strengthened him.
self.
II think it'll work all right now,
he said. Let me try it. Have you a
match?"
match she had given him and applied
the fire to the burner A little "popv
sounded. and the clear blue flame of q
perfectly functioning gas range re-
warded him. Mary gave little cry
Of joy.
"Oh, you are clever!' she cried. ITS
all right now, isn't it?' How can
ever thank you?" chilling thought
entered her mind. "Do I-how mucf
is it-does il cost?'
The young man Strengthened his
back, cramped from STOPPING.
.Well, there's no charge. But i
you have bit of salt to spare you
might let me borrow a PINCH he re
piled. II haven't scrap of salt il
my place"
salt she said hurrying to open ,
paper bag But l wish you'd let m,
give you something for your trouble.
1T wasn't any trouble--it was
pleasure" replied the young man, ant
bowed. And then he kept on bowinl
the floor and lay still.
Mary kept her head; got water an,
dabbed it on his forehead and lat
him in an easier position. And thel
she saw what she had not noticed be
fore-that his face was pinched am
white and his cheeks were hollow.
At last he opened his eyes.
"Tm-Tm dreadfully sorry" h
stammered. II don't know what wa
the matter with mel just sort o
tainted, ! guess-Tll go now"
you'll do nothing of the sort. Te
me, how long is 1t since you've eaten
1.-TWO days." confessed the youn
man. II have Il job that will pay m
well, but don't go to work till tomOl
row. and I've been. living all this wee
on loaf of bread. That's what
wanted the salt fort makes yo
thirsty and then you drink a lot G
water, and then you don't feel S
empty"
Mary's hands We're flying anon
the packages.
You're going to stay and have SUI
per with me- she said calmly. IF
hadn't been for you | wouldn't hay
been able to cook anything. Now yo