The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1914-05-16
Married Life
the Fourth Year
BY MABEL HERBERT URNER

"Oh, do you think 1t Is going TO De
rough?" anxiously.
Cant tell; but it always a mean
trip. Looks like it is going to be
foggy. too"
Helen glanced out of the window at
the low, marshy country through
which they were now whirling. 1t had
been misting when they left Paris, and
onw the mist had thickened to
drizzle.
How about a piece of French mel
on?" suggested Warren; that Is re,
freshing," as Helen listlessly pushed
back her plate.
mo, l can't eat on these French
cars-things don't look Clean
well, they are darn sight cleaner
than those Channel steamers. Seven
years ago they were pretty punk
and they are the same old boats"
When they left the dining car and
made their way back to their COM
partment, they found they had it to
themselves.
Since we are alone, I think I will
lie down." for Helen was almost ill
from the strain of the last few days
in Paris.
Last night, because it WAS the last
night, they had stayed at the Cafe
de la PaiX, watching a gay thearte
party, until almost 2 o'clock And
when they got back to the hotel Helen
had still much of her packing to do.
1t was 5 o'clock before she got to bed
and they were up again at O'Clock.
You do look played out" yawned
Warren, as he settled himself in the
opposite seat. Don't feel any too
we'll myself Pretty strenuous week,
- yoJI p0N6
rest-up on the steamer. Why don't
you take your hat off? Can't lie down
comfortably that way
HER HEAD ACHES.
Il don't believe l can lie down." as
she sat up YEARLY and smoothed her
hair. 1t makes my head ache worse.
Is it much longer now?"
About an hour and half. We are
not due till l o'clock. Want some
thing to read?" dividing the week old
New York paper.
Helen glanced at the headlines.
be good to get back This morning
Paris. but now the eagerness og get
ting home was upon her.
Her head ached too badly to read,
and she gazed listlessly out of the mist
blurred window. She was dreading
the Channel trip. Wiuld she be ill?
Every one complained Of the English
Channel and the wretched boats.
I'VE are going into Dieppe now"
announced Warren finally.
The train was slowing up through
the struggling outskirts of city. AS
they drew into the station number
of sailors came running down the plat
form. Warren signaled one and hand
ed him out their baggage.
Everything was hustle and excite
ment The passengers, English and
French, were streaming out on the
platform instructing the blue-bloused
sailors about their baggage.
Come on, let's get out of this"
Warren started off toward the steamer,
which lay in an inlet just beyond the
station.
So this was one of the much criti-
cized English Channel boats, thought
Helen, as they made their way up the
gang plank and around the narrow
deck. Everything looked implanted
and dingy, and through the open doors
of the cabin came heavy, sickening
ship odor.
1t was almost an hour later before
all the baggage was on and they were
finally off. The mist had thickened,
and every now and then came tn,
sound of some distant foghorn. The
damp air was chill and penetrating.
Warren had unstrapped their rugs
and wrapped them about Helen, who
lay back in a steamer chair, looking
over the gray, rOughened Channel. AL
ready she was feeling the sickening
roll Of the boat
She had no inclination to move
about, but Warren insisted she would
be better off if she stirred around
Bit and not give up SO easy.
Clnging to his arm, she walked
around the wet deck, the wind flap
ping their raincoats. A few passen-
gers were bundled up in chairs on the
protected side, but the heavy mist had
driven almost every one below.
Come on down; let's see what the
cabin is like. They have got a buffet
luncheon down there"
HELEN MORTIFIED.
Helen followed reluctantly, for she
had had several whiffs Of the odors
from below The cabin was a strange
combination Of dining room and a
public stateroom. Around the walls
was a double row of hunks, and in
the centre was large table, from one
end of which stewards were serving
cold sliced ham, roast beef, tongue
and salad
convenient arrangement" grinned
Warren. You can eat and then lie
down. Everything handy. Feel hung
ry?" glancing down at her with an
amused smile. Want some cold ham
and salad?"
Helen shrank back in horror "You
know ! couldn't eat down here!" in
dignantly. Lets go back on deck
I will be sick if stay here any longer.
The odor is something awful"
Helen almost ran up the stairs to
get to the fresh air again.
Are these the best boats that cross
the channel?' she demanded resent
fully. Surely they are not all so
old and dirty"
Warren shrugged his shoulders
"They are all pretty rotten. That is
because there is no competition. One
company controls all the steamers.
They were back to their chairs now
Helen, who had STIRRED about" all she
could, sank into hers, while Warren
wrapped the rug about her
Look at all those basins" she ex-
claimed suddenly, pointing to a long
wooden bench under which were at
tached a hundred or more granite
pans. What do you suppose they are
for"