South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1914-09-24

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with the ThurstOns. and Helen was
rather disconnected by the elaborate
pretentiOusness OF il all. She would
have enjoyed and felt much more at
ease at a simpler dinner.
Mrs. ThurstOn in her violet evening
gown made a most charming hostess,
but there was a worried. anxious look
about her eyes.
Helen wondered what could have
gone wrong. And then as she saw her
glance uneasily toward her husband
she OWNED the trouble Mr. Thurs
ton was Enthusiastically flushed and To-
quacious II was plain that ne had
had several drinks before dinner
And with all those glasses before him
Helen could well understand his
wife's anxiety.
What do you think Of this sherry.
Curtis?" demanded Mr. ThurstOn,
when the maid had removed the cock
tail glasses and poured out the pale
amber wine "Got a dozen of the
real stuff this winter when Goddard ;
wine cellar was auctiOned off. Was
lucky enough TO get some cOrking old
claret, too"
\ Rare Wine
Warren praised the sherry, and Mr.
ThurstOn insisted on having the glass
es refilled. With the next course the
claret was served
Hold on there. Marie" ordered
Mr.. ThurstOn, as the maid placed on
the sidebOard the napkin wrapped
bottle, lets see that date There. -
showing the time-stained label, 1915
how about that2 Ought TO be pref
~ good, Oughtn't it,"
Henry is so foolish about his
wines" laughed Mrs. Thurston ner-
vOusly apologize Il really can't
see that this very old claret has so
much better flavor than any other.
That's because you don't know
anything about claret, my dear de-
clared Mr.. ThurstOn as he drained his
glass.
As the dinner progressed Helen no
tced that Mrs. ThurstOn was watch
ing her husband more and more anN-
iousiy. He was drinking much
more than was good for him. After
the claret had come the champagne
of which he had already drained two
glasses. AS Warren drank very mod
erately, it made his condition the
more marked.
Mrs. Thurston, who had been toy
ing nervOusly with her almost un-
touched glass. now motioned to the
maid, and Helen heard her whisper:
Marie. don't fill Mr. Thurston's
glass again"
II was a humiliating order to give.
and she flushed painfully, for she
knew they had either heard or di-
vined her whispered instruction
A Few moments later Mr.. Thurs
ton motiOned toward his empty glass.
However. Marie. who was now serving
the salad, pretended not to see him.
AS he was in the midst Of telling
story. Helen hoped he would forget
about the wine But when he raised
his glass and found it still empty, he
again mOtioned the maid, who was
carefully avoiding his glance.
Marie, some wine here. Fill the
other glasses. too"
There was a murmur OF protest
from them all.
What's the matter? None of you
drinking anything? What's wrong
with you, Curtis?"
I've got to go light. old man" an
swered Warren. i've q big days
work tomorrow"
A Foolish Man.
"Oh, never let business interfere
with pleasure" and Mr.. ThurstOn
laughed boisterOusly at this time-worn
adage Then as he still failed to get
the attention OF the maid. he called
peremptorily:
"Marie" tapping his glass sharply.
1t was an embarrassing moment. In
the face OF Mrs. ThurstOn's order not
TO fill it. Helen wondered what the
girl would do.
"The bottles empty, sir" faltered
the maid.
Then open another bottle" or
dered Mr.. ThurstOn.
Dear" ventured Mrs. Thurston
nervously. We're going to have a
cordial now. Do you care for any
more champagne?
"Oh, all right, bring on the cordial
then. That's some l got down in
Porto Rico" he explained, when the
maid brought on a curiously shaped
bottle with a bright foreign label.
You can put that right here" as
having filled the tiny cordial glasses.
she started to take away the bottle
Ii was time TO leave the men 10
their coffee and cigars. but Mrs.
Thurston dreaded TO leave her hus-
band drinking.
Have another cordial. Curtis. it's
very light Won't hurt you"
mo, thank you, I've had enough.
MIR. Curtis is right. dear. 1 think
we've al had enough.
Now see here. Minnie. don't be a
kill-jOy," grumbled her husband.
But you know, dear youll feel
bad tomorrow. and that cordial is so
sweet and heavy. Don't drink any
more OF IL, Henry"
"AH right: this sweet stuff is a bit
slckenlng, he agreed good naturedly.
Let's have a Scotch. What do you
say, Curtis -
Rising somewhat unsteadily Mr.
Thurston got bottle of Scotch from
the sideboard. which he brought over
to the table.
Let's leave that till later" as
Warren. 10 Mrs ThurstOn's relief.
made the move 10 leave the table.
Shall We all go in the other room ?
We can smoke in there. can't We. Mrs.
Thurston -
"Oh. you can smoke anywherel"
she answered gratefully.
As they trailed out OF the dining
room a fold of Helen's chiffon gown
caught on a carved claw foot OF the
sidebOard
Allow me-" Mr. Thurston stopped
over 10 unfasten il. lie was unsteady.
his foot slipped on the polished floor.
he lurched and fell heavily. Trying
To catch himself by the sideboard. he
Knocked over a cut glass vinegar cruet
which broke and splashed over
Helen's dress.
With Warren's help he scrambled
undignifiedly 20 his feet, stammering
a confused apology Mrs. Thurston,
cri meon with Embarrassment had