Hyder weekly herald., 1932-04-30
The "One Arm" By STANDISH B. KRAMER
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(9 by Mcclure Newspaper syndicate.I ,WNU Servcel

 hls attention. Yet nothing of moodi' ness, nor even thoughtfulness, ap peared to be occupying his mind.
 Lane was aimless. At the moment he had nothing on his mind of i'm port. even an objective for his walk. For an hour he had been roaming about the loop district, with no pur- pose in mind, then the movement of the crowd or some other impulse not of his own, caused him to turn into "BouI Mich." Equally unconsciously he turned with section of the crowd into Randolph street.
 Several persons in the hurried throng turned into one of the several "one-arm" restaurants that line Chi. cago's Rialto. Sensing a desire for a sandwich and cup of coffee, Lane turned with a small crowd, entered the restaurant and lined up at the counter. Receiving his sandwich and coffee, Lane looked about for an emp, ty one-armed chair. All seemed to be filled and he passed the length of the restaurant feeling rather foolish with his load, before he espied an empty seat. Crowdins in the space to st down he jOstled the next chair. caus- ing an oyer-full cup of coffee to lose a trife of the contents.
 Beg pardon" he said mechanically, without looking at the occupant.
 Granted" came back the reply. equally mechanically. Such incidents are common in the one-arm eating places. Lanes back turned sharply as he heard in a throaty voice. "lt would seem that the originator of this style of restaurant had the community spirit"
 Lane stared in surprise at the speak CT. Not at all the class of girl to pick up an acquaintance. was the thought that rushed through his mind.
 "Why?" he asked.
 "The chairs are placed so close to- gether. It just seems to compel con- panionship."
 Lane gazed into a pair of deep, clear, steady dark blue eyes set in an ivory and rose oval face and sur mounted by a fluff of red gold hair that even the tightly-fitting 'plane" hat could not confine. He felt sense of regret as he replied, "Too transient for companionship." He waved his arm towards the hurrying feasters. Rush thrush out. Seeing no one, knowing no one-caring less for any one. Three and one-half millions each struggling to maintain himself or herself against all the rest"
 "Rather cynical. aren't you? Can you not rather see the community spir- it struggling for recognition? Wouldn't that he the more human way to look at Chicago's rushing milllons-human ity building more complete civiliza- tion and doing it In community spirit?'
 Some welfare worker, probably new to it and trying herself out on me-" was Lanes thought, for his con tinued study of the girl convinced him fully she was not the type to start Irritation. Yet his sneering thought showed in his next remark, though lightly. Her slight flush proved she caught the impression in his mind when he said:
 How did you happen to start such a subject? Are you one of Chicago's welfare workers--and do you think 1 am a suitable subject on which to work:"
 "Oh," she gasped, T-I-dld not think you would take my remarks that way"
 "What did you think?"
 Her embarrassment grew so appar- ent Lane felt ashamed of himself, yet he gazed steadily into her eyes to learn the truth.
 "Oh, Ill"
 ''I saw your back-and the back of your head, as you turned to place your lunch on the arm-and-and-"
 "Well, for the love of heavens, what about my back? Does front view change your ideas? And what was your idea, anyway"
 pleasant smile lighted her features so entrancingly, her confusion strong as it was, having failed to repress her disabilities, that Lane himself grew red with contrition at hls sharpness.
 "Never mind," he said. "I apologize for my rudeness. Still. am inter ested in knowing what you saw in my back. Perhaps I can bring front view to your favor, also, if I know"
 This time she laughed outright.
 "Well," she said. "Tll be truthful.