Omaha daily bee., 1922-05-14

volved a complete surprise, forbade him to offer
any explanation of what he was doing with his
afternoons. This was vital error. 1t permitted
Leila to infer that Joe Hancock's interest In her
was merely benevolent. More dangerous still.
1t left her with ample time in which to receive
the now proffered attentions Of "Fat' Franklin.
which she did with a good conscience and q
woman's natural pride in having attracted one
of the bigger fish in the poot
But. bssfully unconscious Of these errors.
Joe loaded and wheeled and piled in hope, find
ing full compensation for all his labors and
deprivation in the increasing pulchrituds Of
Miss Mason and the ever-beaming warmth of
her smle-up to that moment when, glancing
out Of the window Of the dining hall az the mid
day meal was in swing, he observed the girl
coming down the graveled path chatting gaiy
with Milton Franklin.
Now 1t must be explained at this point that
Milton Franklin had the faculty Of rubbing GER
tain kinds Of people the wrong way. people
whom, for ono reason or another, Fat con-
sidered less than his equals. He was not popu-
lar with walters The mere sight Of him with
Leila gave Joe an incipient case of dispositional
pip. Joe was not even aware that they knew
each other, yet from their manner they seemed
painfully we'll acquainted. The sudden stoppage
of his heart passed. however. with Lela's CHEEKY
greeting, and that organ thumped proudly as
The girl started toward her accustomed table.
But there followed to her place the obese and
self-assertive young Franklin person.
ALLOW mel" Fat" said grandly and pushed
In Lela's chair for her; then took the opposite
one.
'Td like to push his face in--the slob!"
srowled Joe away down in his larynx.
'Waiter!" Fat" called with an authoritative
voice. ''Waiter!"
Joseph Hancock was instantly furious. Duty
compelled him to take Mr.. Franklin's pomp-
ousy given order. but even while doing 20 he
was planning to provide that presumptious in
terloper with an experience and dinner he
could never forget. By the time Joe actually
reached the purlieus of cookery his specifica-
tions were complete.
"One steak-sma-a-ll!" he bawled and, draw
ing near enough for the purpose he slipped
the chef one Of those rare half dollars. whereat
the whites Of the dark eyes rolled and q black
face nodded alert comprehension. "And, say
Sam!" Joe's eyes narrowed to that tense and
eager whisper in which dark plots are laid
Besides that, have you got q steak in the house
50 tough dog couldn't eat It? II you have
and can do anything to make It tougher than
1t Is already, do 1t; then tamouflage it with
onions and slip 1t to me-
"He-he-he-he" laughed the chef az he read
the gloomy tracery upon the boys face ~ one
reads headlines in newspaper. Some guy
done buttin' in on dat Ill gal, huh!" he gurgled
''Butt-in is r-r-right" growled Joe. grinding
his teeth.
spring, the black chef "collided" with enthu-
siasm, and the contrast between the two din
ners served ut one table that night was
malicious triumph. The perspiration stood out
on Milton Franklin's face as he sawed at his
steak. Lela's cut easily. and she lifted the Juicy
morsels to her lips with the consciousness that
she had never had finer.
Say" "F'at" protested to her as his exaspera-
ton and his meal reached their climax together,
this is the soggiest potato I ever saw in my
life Not even the coop hall can make 'em any
soggier. This bread is positively petrified No
bride ever baked q harder loaf. And, further
more. I'd like to meet the guy that put hair oil
on my rice pudding"
He fumed a moment while Leila looked en-
barrassed and murmured: 20, am 10 sorry,
MI. Franklin"
Most delightful company I've ever had in
this hall, Miss Mason" mumbled Milt, "and
poorest dinner! Miserable waiter you've got.
Wen eat at my table tonight and we'll get
some service"
The last sentence Of this speech was framed
particularly for the ears of young Joseph Han
cock. just then bringing the soup to the next
table, but 1t was Leila who answered 1t, flushing
with indignant surprise.
why MOI" she negatived loyalty and turned
her blue eyes up to bestow a glance Of eloquent
comfort upon Joe. I've had delightful din
ner. I think have the best waiter in the hall.
I wouldn't leave him for anything"
Without appearing to have overheard, Joss