Palisadian., 1923-10-12

iioiHe. "iiar wuufL. you like: III al-
tend to it WHEN you warm yourself at
the fire"
"Oh-anything to eat" he STAN
mered.
Theresa saw at once that he was
from the south of the Mason and
Dixon line and she knew that he
would like fried chicken, corn bread
and buttermilk. How would fried
chicken be with corn bread2" she
asked.
Theresa was as bashful as he was.
She was not Southern girl, and yet
she knew what he, a man from that
country, wanted.
'"That would be the very best" he
said.
Theresa arranged table near the
fire, and soon had it ready for him.
Meantime, number of drummers had
arrived, and, one by one, had refreshed
themselves and were waiting for some
thing to eat.
AS she moved from table to table,
cheerfully greeting the men she knew
and courteously caring for the
strangers at her table, Theresa was
quite aware of the almost constant
gaze of the big varnish salesman.
Il don't have to be at my next town
until three O'clock" he explained as
Theresa gave him the check for what
he had eaten. would it be all right
If | stayed here? Driving in this driz-
zles none too attractive" he said.
"But-Of course" exclaimed The
resa, with another of her bewitching
smiles, this time right into his funny,
unsophisticated eyes; that's why
call my place the Salesman's Rest So
that you may rest until you need to
go on
Tom Fox sought the big couch in
the corner, and found book, over the
top of which he watched Theresa
when she was not looking. Then and
there he decided (for he was that sort
OF persoD that every time that he
could possibly find an excuse for be-
ing near Merrick on the Merrlck road
he would come to this place. 1t seemed
to leave nothing to be desired in his
day.
He set out with determination to
make good customers of all the shop
men in the towns within a radius of
fifty miles of this place. For then,
having constantly to attend to their
needs In business way, he would find
amnIn 70
vicinity.
One, two, three times week found
him at Theresa's table. They began
to get acquainted. He met her BROTH
er. He found out how and why this
lovely girl was running this so-much-
| needed restaurant for. him and his pro-
| fession. Theresa's brother liked him.
Theresa liked him.
The autumn found the little rest so
busy that Theresa had all she could do
to take friendly care of her travelling
statesmen.
There's one thing l don't like about
your success, Theresa" said the big
drummer one evening at twilight when
he had remained for supper at the
rest
whats that, pray tell?" said The
resa lightly, though she was trembling.
| She could see what was on the tip Of
her now acknowledged lovers tongue.
ut takes you away from me. l
never see you-alone," he said earnest
ly. and reaching for the hand that
hung at her side.
I'm alone-now," she said.
Eyes, and while l have you I'm 20
| ing to tell you how | love you. | cam
not go on without finding out whether
or not you could care for me, Theresa.
Could you?"
Theresa tried to turn away but he
had taken her other hand and was al
most forcing her to look at him.
could you?" he persisted.
| She nodded 81 do-anyway." she
said.
Fortunately no one came to the rest
for half hour during which time the
lovers found out the wonderful pos
sibilities of their lives together if they
might go on doing good and living for
others.
We'll have a salesman's rest al
ways, won't we?" she asked.
He agreed. But you, dear. are
mine-all mine"