Detroit tribune. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1933-1933, 1933-11-25

rapidly thinning dining room OF the
Clerndon Cafe,
The Clerndon was the fines col
ored cafe In the city and boosted
of a five piece orchestra that played
soft. seductive music behind a
large palm enclosure.
Irene was feeling unusually hap
by and romantic today. for in her
little brown purse reposcd one Of
the sweetest love letters any girl
had ever received. Then. too she
knew that she was looking her
best, and that alone gave her Il
grand feeling. A little mirror on
the wall near her table fairly
screamed the fact. Dressed in deep
rustic brown with touches of soft,
creamy white her rich brown hair
was coiled loosely while a jaunty
brown hat was perched expertly
on her shapely head.
The spacious dining room was
aglow with pretty pink lights. Like
lovely pink rose buds they were
placed on the side walls and in the
ceiling. Even the tables carried
little lighted candles. 1t was all
most intriguing and would have
been flattering to even a plain
woman. and Irene was far from
! plain.
Opening her purse and taking
out the precious letter, she read
and re-read parts OF it. while her
hand strayed unconsciously to the
! creamy lace at her throat whore
nestled a tiny fraternity pin.
A year a6J when her brother,
Frank had entered Howard Uni
versity. he had written TO Irene
telling her of his new roommate,
Keith Templeton who was just
finishing his medical course. Frank
had written isis, he is the great
est guy here; plays halfback on
the football team and broke all
records In the running broad jump
last year. You should see him; he's
prince and let me whisper little
secret, he saw your picture on my
table, one day and old Keith fell
like a ton OF brick. Since then he's
been paying me twenty-five cents
week, just to let him carry it in
his pocket. Clever don't you
think? and il certainly helps ON the
old smokes"
Irene slowly folded her letter.
while the orchestra driftd into a
popular love song. Staring drcami-
| ly into space. Irene Travelled back
over the past year. With Frank
lacting as match maker. an exchngc
of pictures nd taken place. That
was soon followed by friendly
letter, then more friendly until a
few weeks ago Keith aid received
his degre and wrote asking her &c
wear his fraternity pin. while M
served his internship at Freed.
mems and then--it was the "ans
them that had thrilled Irene.
carried her away on n wave oil
romantic dreams. She had written
promising she would. and few
days ago she had received her first
love letter from Keith. The letter
was masterpiece. telling Irene OF
many wonderful plans his hopes
and dreams. She thrilled when she
remembered the words. Won't you
let me include you i'm these plans.
II know you will think m bold to
write thus when we have never
seen each other but | am not
afrain dear, are you? know your
| face is lovely, your voice the
sweetest in the world and | love
you Irene"
Irene closed her eyes and tried
to imagine what he was like. Was
his hair deeper brown than hers2
Were his eyes very dark? His
picture could not answer. Her re
verie was broken by a mans deep
voice asking. May ] sit here?
She glanced up carelessly and
| "tttlNtu Jultc oh''h. nv Noo
white. A wave of Indignation swept
over her. The nerve of him coming
Into a Negro place when she was
not allowed in theirs. When she
spoke II was with the haughteur Of
a queen.
Certainly" and she shrugged her
shoulders with an air OF indiffer-
| ance.
The waitress brought her order
and waited while the stranger
placed his.
Irene attacked her lunch with
such angry vehemcnce her lamb
chop slid unceremoniously off her
plate. Again the white man spoke.
Are you angry because / came
10 your table?'
No. not because you came to my
table" and she let her voice show
her disgust but because you came
into the cafe.p
IL was his turn to look angry,
but he broke into an amused smile
instead.
Yet II is a public place.
know It is and its really too
bad" and Irene pushed her plate
away.
| why?" he asked n puzzled in
quiry.
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