El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1911-01-23
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overcoat he had been vigorously brush
ing.
1t was Tuesday morning. and this
was the first reference that had been
made to the Tuesday night dinner since
Helen had declared last week she would
not go.
But I thought you said Mrs. Dali
tons cousin-that good looking girP
would take my placer
He laughed carelessly. "As though
anyone could do that"
It was not often now that Warren
made so gallant a remark.
But 1 don't like those Bohemian
places. and 1 don't like the Daltons, %
she protested, though plainly weaken
ing.
well, I go to many places and with
many people I don't like, when it's a
matter of policy-as it is now. Dalton
is keen on our going. They're coming
by for us in their car about $50. So
be all ready. I'll be home at g.
She Disapproyes of Dalton.
And without waiting for further pro-
tests he hurried off.
of course, she reasoned, as she bath
ed and dressed the baby, if Warren
really insisted on going with the Dali
tons. it was better for her to go with
him. But more and more she felt
that VIII Dalton was bad for Warren.
And the thought that Warren should
feel under obligations to him for the
tips on the stock marKet ranked with
in her constantly.
But when, at $50. the Daltons
dashed up for them in their big tour
ing car and they were whirled down
the cleaning avenue, Helen nestled
back among the fur rugs with q sense
Of pleasure in the swift motion and
the luxurious ease of the car.
Their destination was an italian ia
bic d'hote" just off Sixth avenue. The
place was crowded. The air was close
and heavy with cigaret smoke. And
above the clatter Of dishes and noise
of the diners came the sound of a tor
tured piano and strident violin.
A perspiring waiter led them to
table that Mr.. Dalton had telephoned
to have reserved. Tt was the only one
vacant in the place.
Here wait a moment" called Dalton
imperiously, as the waiter rushed off.
Bring US four Martini cocktails
right away. Yes, dry. I guess that's
right-isn't it?" loking around the ia
bic. inquiringly. 1T takes so eyerlast-
ingly long 10 get anything here-1
wanted to give that order before the
waiter got away. But-perhaps Mrs.
Curtis doesn't care for cocktails ?''
remembering the other evening, and
turning to Helen -apologetically.
"The Best You Have"
~Oh, yes: that's all right" smiled
Helen. graciously. For she had re-
solved to accept whatever the others
did She need not drink it, but she
could not be constantly protesting at
every order
The food was not bad, although
Helen was suspicious as to just how
clean things were. Everybody instinc-
lively wiped their silver with their
napkins. and Mr.. Dalton, who served
the soup from a big steaming bowl
placed before him. calmly wiped out
each soup plate before filling it.
Take those away he demanded as
the waiter placed a pint bottle Of the
traditional red ink beside each plate,
and bring US some good Chianti-the
best you have. And here-hold on a
minute. Bring Us some of those bread
sticks, too With the air of man
determined to be well served
Not bad soup" commented War
rem.
wait till the spaghetti comes on
that's their drawing card here. Best
IN town, I think-that is, if you like
garlic. You do-don't you, Mrs. Cur
tis?'' turning anxiously to Helen.
She assured him that she did, al
though there was nothing she disliked
so much.
Here a young woman in a black
spangled gown and with bit of court
plaster placed effectively on her paint
ed cheek, mounted the platform beside
the plano and, with many grimaces,
sang a popular song. The chief quail
L
warred hopefully with the cIatter of
the dishes and the general din.
A Song She Loved
Then a saIlow. pimple faced. dissi-
pated looking youth in a rumpled
dress suit sang The Rosary" Helen
shuddered. She had loved that song,
that way gave her a sense of reyul-
sion.
Suddenly she realized that he was
looking directly at her and singing
with an admiring leer. She dropped
her eyes, furiously indignant and with
a feeling of physical repulsion. And
rigidly she held her gaze to her plate
until the song was over.
Just then there was a lull in the
music and from the next table this
bit Of conversation came to them very
clearly:
q can't see why anybody wants to
drink that red ink" 1t was a girls
7oice.
..Oh, that's the disinfectant they
serve with the dinner to kill the
germs" answered the man with her.
Il say, old man. that's not BAD
said Dalton, turning around and ad
dressing the man without comment.
ssOb it, oor original, he laughed
back. I've heard that before"
Helen was being constantly sur
orised at the lack Of convention, the
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