The Dolores star., 1922-09-01
A Good Little
Liar
BY CLARA DELAFIELD

restaurant in town, and Aggie was
Hatchem's slickest hash-slinger. II
was reported that professional conJur-
ors sometimes freQuented Hatchems TO
watch Aggie balancing poached eggs
on mince on top of three orders Of
tiapjacks, five cups of coffee and four
bowls of mock turtle
That, of course, was an invention,
but Hatchem's being in tie theater dis
trict, many men who could have af-
forded better meals did drop in to
Hatchem's. II was sort OF meeting
place for people who wanted to talk
over things.
Aggie lived in Harlem with her wild
owed mother, and her life was ex-
emplary. She was engaged TO be mar
ried to Bill McGurk, who drove an
ice-wagon and was waiting for a raise
before popping the golden circlet
over Aggies slim finger. Aggie
had had plenty of beaux before
Bill, but when they tried to get
fresh she squashed them tiatter than a
stale pancake.
And she could give as good as she
got from any Of the smart Alecs who
frequented Hatchem's There was not
an ounce of sentiment about Aggie.
That was why she bore an abound
ing grievance against Bill the Brute.
That wasn't his name. He was dark,
athletic, well-dressed man OF about
forty, and he happened in one evening
when the restaurant was comparatively
empty.
Give me plate OF ham and eggs"
he said.
Aggle brought 1t, and he toyed with
the ham and played with the eggs.
II don't like these eggs" he said
presently.
What's wrong with emp snapped
Aggie.
81 want 'em laid over again. said
Bill the Brute
Somebody's slipped a pair Of roost
ers inside 'em. Gimme my check"
You wait" said Aggie under her
breath. III know you again in a mil
lion years"
1t was three months before Bill the
Brute returned. This time he came
with lady, about the time the theater
closed.
-Stenog," sniffed Aggie. mot yours,
though, Bill. That kind don't go out
to supper with the boss"
Aggie, watching them like a hawk,
as she fox-trotted along the restaurant
bunny-hugging a pyramid of orders,
saw that something was doing.
Hes made her cry" she said, as
they rose to depart. Can this be
love! Oh, Bill McGurk, come to met"
After that the little stenographer
took TO coming TO the restaurant for
lunch and supper. Aggie surmised
that she worked late. At lunch she
ate fO'ried meal and went away
quickly, but at supper she waited till
sometimes-Bill the Brute came in and
sat down beside her. Then her face
would light up.
But he's a married man." snapped
Aggie to the lamb croquettes and pea
twins. That kind always are. Pair
OF roosters, eh, Bll?"
The next time Bill the Brute Joined
the girl in the evening Aggie saw that
he was trying to persuade her to do
something or other. 1t was pititul to
see the indecision and doubt and trust
on her face, too, as she looked at
Bill.
81 guess girls don't look like that
when single men tell them they're the
main squeeze" Aggie soliloquized. "If
I'd looked that way, Billd have sent
for the plumber. Pair of roosters, eh7'
Waitress, my check!'' called Bill
the Brute from his corner. Then It's
all settled, dear" Aggie heard him
say under his breath as she rose from
the table.
He made his way in front Of her to
the desk. There were two or three
in front of him. The girl waited beside
the door.
Scrambled eggs on toast, coffee, and
a pair of doughnnts ~ called one Of
the regulars.
"Comingl" said Aggie, staggering un-
der an Eiffel tower of dishes
She one-stepped up to the girl. Say!
You put that gink where he belongs!'
she whispered. Can him! See? I'll
tell you why in a minute"
"Stewed eels and hamw cried an
other regular from across the room.
Coming" said Aggie, deposlting
the scrambled eggs on the marble-top.
Il was a good girl once!" she whis-
pered, as she cantered past the door.
81 was honest, Woodworking stenog-
rapher and he-he brought me to this.
Put him out of your heart, lady; he's
got wife and family over in Brook
lyn, and he's deceiving you. Learned
it-too late, too late"
With frightened eyes and quivering
lips the little stenographer darted
through the doorway, just as Bill the
Brute was paying his check.
Bucks and the golden!" called
patron from beside the umbrella stand.
"Coming!" cried Aggie.
The Fireside Forum.
"My dear" said Mr. Gadspur, mildly