Belington progressive. [volume] (Belington, W. Va.) 1912-1927, 1923-06-21
Gulf That
Disappeared


girl VINO came floating into the tea
room of the Hotel Megatherium be-
side Miss Caroline Highly. And being
waiter In fashionable hotel Rocco
wis not easily impressed Miss High
by was known to him, even by name,
for the restaurant Of the Megatherium
was one Of her favorite resorts. She
could not afford 1t. to be sure nor the
expensive clothes she wore, but Caro-
line belonged to one of those families
not uncommon In New York who
manage to live within their incomes
and half as much again year after
year without the slightest difficulty.
As for the young lady who accom-
panied Miss Highly 1t may be stated
that she was country cousin OF
Caroline's, Masie Landers by name,
and possessed Of fresh, wholesome,
"corn-fed" sort of beauty exceedingly
refreshing to look upon. When the
tall, handsome Rocco approached the
table and offered his services with a
graceful bow Masie Immediately be-
gan to think Of various heroes out Of
the novels she was so fond Of read
ing. But what hero, even In romance,
could wear evening clothes in broad
daylight with such grace as was dis
played by Rocco7
"Masie, for heavens sake, don't
stare at Rocco in that absurd man
ner," warned Miss Highly. do you
think he Is prince In disguise?'
"He-he looks like IT." sighed Masie.
well, he isn't" retorted Caroline i
"he Is simply one Of the best walters
In New York. AS to looks--they have
to be good looking to hold down q Job
here. Ill say that for the manage
ment--if the prices are outrageous
and the tea weak
rs he Italian2 asked Masie.
'How should known" snapped
Caroline. "T1is name is Rocco and,
therefore, suppose so. Just look at
that woman over there-what a hid
eous gowni" AS Masle arose to leave
the place she dropped little vanity
bag"-did she do 1t accidentally p
and Rocco picked it up and restored
1t to her with a graceful bow and an
admiring glance which, In spite of his
training, he could not restrain, to be
rewarded with heavenly smile and a
''Thank you" In the sweetest of pos
sible voices.
The two extensively dressed young
women swept out Of the restaurant
and Rocco sighed. For the rest Of the
afternoon his conduct was such as
very nearly to cost him his Job. He
spilled hot tea on Mrs. Poppleton-
Jackson's new dress and broke a tea
cup in the serving room. The head
waiter concluded that his hitherto
impeccable assistant was coming down
with the grippe and advised him to go
home and send for a doctor. But 1t
was not medicament for the body that
Rocco needed. 1t was a realization
of the impossible nature Of this gulf
which took the heart out Of Rocco.
Rocco desperately recalled accounts
he had seen In the newspapers Of heir
esses marrying their coachmen and
| chauffeurs, but he also recalled the
tragic, or at least highly unsatisfac-
tory, consequences Of such matches.
His desperate resolve cooled, but not
his love. Two other visits did Masle
and her cousin make to the Megathe-
rum restaurant in the course Of the
week, and upon each occasion Rocco
waited upon his divinity with an as
siduity and delicacy which did not es-
cape the notice Of Miss Highly.
well, really, Masie," said the lively
Caroline, Rocco seems nightly taken
with either you or me- Do you think
my new hat is becoming? Isn't 1t
absurd, the impudence Of these wait
ers?''
"Why, think he Ii very respectful
indeed" replied Masie
Respectful !" cried Miss Highly.
He'd better be-"
From overhearing the conversation,
between Masie and her cousin on the
occasion Of their last visit to the res
taurant Rocco learned that on the
morrow his hopelessly adored one was
to return to her home up state" and
that the name of her home town was
Catlinburgh. Oh, such a sweet smile
as Masie gave him as she left the res
taurant that day
Rocco sat thinking long into the
night. BY morning his resolution was
taken. He gave months notice and
announced that his career as a waiter
was at an end He had begun that
career when a mere STRIPPING as "bus-
boy" and the years which had since
elapsed had been profitable ones. A
river Of tips, as rich as the waters Of
Pactolus. had rolled toward him and
though still young man, he had a
comfortable bank account and real es-
tate In Hoboken. Rocco had rather
hazy Ideas as to just what ne would
do when he had closed his career as
waiter, but ambition had been
awakened by love and he was resolved
to achieve such fame and fortune as
should place him socially on an equal
ity with the girl who had captured his
affections.