New Britain herald., 1922-03-23
How Madgc ann picky Found Katie.

''Luckiy there's a side entrance to his restaurant"
 Without appearing 10 notice it- knew that Dicky was contemrlat1ne my black eye ruefuly, dreading osil entrance into even so unprotontiout restaurant as the one before us, where we expected to find Katie,
 shrank from curious glances my self. but with true fcmine inconSis- tency. I resented q similar attitude In Dicky. Just exactly how ] expected him to feel l cannot tell, but ] sts- pect that deep within me was he ab- Burd romantic longing to have him take me on his arm and with head held high. sweep into the most oN- elusive dininc-room in the city, The little detail that l would almost have died before 1 would have faced such an ordeal made no difference in my vecret feeling that Dicky should not have been ashamed of my appearance, no matter how bizarre it was.
 But, fortunately for me, my com Mon sense is generally strong enough affectually to smother the pathos which, to my disgust turks within my coamos, and I forced an enthusiastic avent to my lips.
 "Oh, I'm so glad Do you sup pose &here are many people in there ?"
 "NJt now. Isn't quite lunch time yet. Look here, what are you going to ord0s? I'll tell you now that I simply Won't eat here. I've danced around 10 your tune all the morning. hut 1,l~ xti ta turn and Me himself up into knots right here. I'll order something for a stall so yca caa have chance to send for Katie, but nix on eating here, also non con ["
 I saw that he NSs in one of his obstinate moods, so acquiesced promptly, and all the Mc.e readily be- cause my glimpse of N's A,terior of the restaurant was anylht&s hut re- assuring.
 T thought I'd order sonc Niced oranges, toast and a pot of tev-" said. T could hardly order leSs.''
 Dicky snorted.
 You'll have no takers on that tyt, '' he drawled. But it's a good enough bluff at that, so we'll make it double. Come along"
 The Waiter Is Amused.
 l followed him tremulously into the side door of the restaurant which held less than half dozen customers in all. A counter for serving ran the whole length of the room at the back with a hole in the wall behind it through which the walters shouted their orders and received in return the food for their customers. As we en- tered hnrly white-aproned chap shouted in tones that could be heard 2 block:
 Two on raft, one Java"
 What does he mean, Bicky?" l whisp@ed.
 Sounds like Conrad novel, doesn't he2" Dicky whispered back But it's nothing so highbrow. He simply means two poached eggs and one cup of coffee. Pipe this one that's coming after us'
 I followed Dicky's eyes to a little weazened man, who might have been 40 or so, who was siding up to us with a crab-l like motion. due, l saw to deformity in his shoulders.
 He was whole head shorter than l, and he evidently added near-sight- edness to his other afflictions, for he gave np indication of noting anything unusual in my appearance until he was directly in front of us. Then he started violently, and with an as- tonished grin peered up at my black eye. with curiosity so naive. so gamin-like that I felt no resentment, only an almost uncomfortable inelina- tion to laugh.
 'MeeSis Graham !'
 Then he turned his glance on Dicky. measuring him, and there was more than curiosity It was distinct ad- miratien and respect that shone in his wrinkled old face, and I saw my hus- band bite his lips to keep a chuckle until the little chap turned away and led us to a table so near the counter that we could hear the chatter from the kitchen. But it was table some what shielded from the rest of the room, and I dropped into my seat, thankful that so much of my ordeal was over.
 While Dicky gave the order I was conscious that the old fellow was still furtively gazing at me, and when he went to the counter he did not shout -