The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1914-05-11
Married Life
the Fourth Year
BY MABEL HELEN URNER,

BY MABEL HELEN URNER.
Helen was tired-tired and warm
but psf little irritable. There is moth.
ing more trying that continuous shap.
ping and sightseeing.
BY the large gilt clock over jewel
er's window on the Rue de la Paix
it was now half-post four. Henlen
paused undoubtedly. She was too tired
to do anything more, yet too restless
to go back to the hotel and wait two
long hours before Warren would come.
She would go somewhere and have
tea-that would give her chance to
rest The Ritz! Why not go there
She knew that to have tea on the ter
race at the Ritz was ono Of the things
ito do" while in Paris
When she reached the imposing en-
trance of the smart hotel, Helen won
dered if her simple travelling suit
might not be rather plain for tea at
so pretentious a place. But at least,
no one would know her.
Helen was always impressed by the
atmosphere of appointments of a great
hotel. When she was with Warren,
his assured ''man-of-the-world air
gave her confidence, but now as she
passed alone through the luxurious
foyer and lounging rooms she felt both
timid and self-conscious.
The terrace, an inner court garden,
was gay with flowers and the red and
white parasol-shaped awnings that
shaded each table. 1t liked like a
garden party on the stage, and a con-
cealed orchestra, playing softly, height
ened this inspiration. There was a
small vacant table near the entrance
and Helen took it hurriedly. She
wished now she had waited to come
some afternoon when she was more
appropriately gowned, for her dark
tailored suit seemed conspicuous
among all those light summer dresses
Cf silk and chiffons.
To Helen's surprise, waiter now
hurried up to her and began talking
very fast in French. Seeing that she
did not understand, he rushed off and
returned with an arrogant head waiter
who spoke English.
A Rebuff.
I'm sorry, madame, but you can
not sit here. This table is reserved"
Helen flushed. There was a subtle
note of condescension in his voice
which she sensed was due to her plain
gown.
That is also reserved" as she gath
cred up her purse and gloves and
turned to another table, but can seat
you inside
Intuitively, ELLEN knew the tables
were NOT reserved, but that he did
not wish to give her desirab BILE table
that would seat four. For a moment
she forgot her shyness and self-con-
seriousness and turned to the pompous
head waiter with blabing eyes.
do you mean that every vacant ia
BILE on this terrace is taken?"
Yes, madame; but l will give you a
table inside"
With flaming cheeks Helen turned
to leave the place. She felt that
everyone was looking at her. Oh, why
had she come here? Why had she sub
jected herself to this Embarrassment?
Il AM Fortunate! This is one of
unexpected pleasures that don't often
happen"
Startled Helen. turned to find be-
side her the man she had met in the
Louvre. ell looked even taller and
more distinguished that she had re-
membered him. With increased con-
fusion she murmured some almost in
audible greeting.
please don't say that you've al
ready had your tea?"
mo, II" Helen's eyes were still
ablaze, the waiter just told me all
these tables were engaged.
(Which waiter said that" he de-
manded quickly.
THE head waiter-the one that's
coming now" for that pompOus indi-
vidual was Fastening toward them
with look of anxious concern.
Pierre, did you tell this lady that
all these tables were engaged?"
"The lady did not say that she was
having tea with any one, Mr.. Ford
ham, and I-you see, we are SO crowd
ed this afternoon" alphabetically, land
these tables seat four. If the lady had
only said"-
But Mr.. Fordham cut him short with
an impatient. Let us have service here
AT ONCE!"
Before Helen realized it, they were
seated at the same table which she
had been asked to leave a few mo-
ments ago But now the waiter and
head waiter were most solicitous in
their attentions.
Helen was still SO furiously indig-
nant over the incident that she could
think OF nothing else. 1t was not until
they had been served that she was
really conscious that she was having
tea with stranger.
Should she have made some excuse?
Was it q very unconventional thing
to do? Yet she could not help feeling
gPeatful for having been relieved from
SO embarrassing position.
Just then a brass-buttoned bell boy
came up to their table.
You're wanted on the phone, Mr.
Fordham"
"Will you excuse me q moment?" !
turning to Helen.
Her glance followed his tall gray
figure through the terrace and into |
the corridor. So he was staying here. |
That accounted for his being 40 we'll |