South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1914-01-17
HELEN FINDS HERSELF AN
UNLIMITED AND UNWANTED
GUEST AT LUNCHEON.
BY MABEL HERBERT URNER.

The mirror in the elevator showed
her flushed face and slightly dishev-
elled hair, but she would not stop to
Elk" it now.
Two short crowded blocks and she
entered the restaurant. 1t was in the
basement of another huge office build
ing. The head waiter came toward
her as she stood inquiringly at the
door
'Is-is Mr. Curtis here?"
He looked surprised.
He lunches here almost every
day." she explained hurriedly, land
thought you might know"
Many hundreds lunch here every
day, madam" smiled the waiter.
But if you care to glance around
Il think he usually takes table
on the other side. oh! there he is
now,"
She started forward eagerly, only
to stop when she saw three men at
the table with Warren. For a mo-
ment she stood in uncertain confu-
sion and then Warren saw her. He
rose quickly and came toward her,
frowning and puzzled.
why, what's the matter? What's
happened?"
She Finds Him.
Helen was suddenly and miserably
package in her arm, her disOrdered
hair, her flushed face, now flushing
deeper at the gaze of the three men,
the head waiter and the people at the
surrounding tables.
"Why-why. dear-nothing has
happened. | just came in to get some
things and thought I'd lunch with
YOU"
Lunch with me- Why under the
heavens didn't you 'phone?"
Il wanted to surprise you.
We'll, you've succeeded"
"Oh, I'm sorry never thought of
anyone being with you. But I'll not
stay You can say I just came in to
ask about something. They won't
know l came for luncheon"
'Thatll look. worse still. We don't
dash into places like this then out
again. Come on. We're in for it
now"
He turned back to the table and she
was forced to follow him.
My wife. Mrs Curtis-Mr. Slater,
Mr.. Cartwright and Mr.. Reed"
After the introduction. there was
an awkward pause. While the waiter
placed a chair for Helen and another
for her package and parasol.
"Oh, I'm afraid this is an intru
sion!" she murmured, trying to cover
her confusion.
I'm sure it's a very great pleasure.
Mrs. Curtis" answered Mr.. Reed, gal
lantly.
The waiter had placed her chair be-
tween Warren and Mr.. Reed, who
sought 10 put her at her ease. who
talked 10 her OF the down town sec
ton, the popularity Of this particular
restaurant, and its excellent service.
And Helen was dumbly grateful for
his efforts for Warren made no at
tempt whatever to make her comfort
able. He was discussing Brooklyn
real estate with the other two men
and hardly noticed her.
In spite Of Mr.. Reeds tact and
kindness for Helen. it was a wretch
&c hour And to her further dismay
she found when the waiter brought
the check-that it had been Mr..
Reeds luncheon,
Such a possibility had not occurred
10 her. No wonder Warren was flu
riOus She had deliberately forced
herself upon them--an unlimited
guest. And now. Mr. Reed. TO her an
utter stranger. was paying the Dill
and Warren was helpless TO prevent
it For him 10 have insisted on pay
ing her portion would. Of course, have
been impossible The whole situation
was most embarrassing
1t was even more EN- harraSsing
when they rose to leave. Mr. Slater
had his car outside and they were all
going over TO look at some Brooklyn