South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1914-10-26
By MABEL HERB RT LRNEE

Helen looked about the noisy. bad
smelling station with sinking heart.
SO this was Paris.
Warren had left her TO watch their
bags while he hurried off to see about
the trunks. Now she saw him com
ing back. followed by a man with
Interpreter" on his cap.
Just this way. sir" as ne picked
mp their bags and led them TO a large
room where tho baggage OF all the
passengers from the steamer-traln
was spread out on long benches.
Why 1 thought there wasn't any
custom duty IN France" exclaimed
Helen. as she watched the French in
spectors going through the trunks.
Its mainly on tobacco and matches
madame" the interpreter informed
her. "But they're very strict about
mat"
Warren located their trunks under
&C." the interpreter then got them
an inspector who spoke broken Eng
llsh. pOcketed his tip and hurried off.
Cigars, cigarettes, tobacco, match
es2" demanded the inspector, tapping
their trunks.
not in there. All I've COTS right
here" and Ware opened up his suit
case and took out a half box OF cigars
and a few cigarettes.
open this" the Inspector pointed
10 the larger Of the two trunks. which
happened 20 be Helen's.
The next moment he was turning
over Helen's "frilikens." while she
looked on in indignant protest that
any one should expect To find cigars or
matches there. Suddenly he drew
out a small leather covered case. but
found IL was only a sewing case fit
ted with needles and thread.
A Thorough Search.
Another larger box wrapped in It's
sue paper he felt suspiciOusly but il
held only n pair OF pink evening slip
pers and hosiery.
Then with the usual inconsistency
Of customs inspectors he chalked the
rest foS their baggage without open
ing anything else.
Flagging a porter Warren mOtioned
him to take all their luggage out to
a cab. The few words Of French
Warren knew he used most sparingly,
seeming to think he could be bet
ter understood by signs.
Blame this French money" TAX
ing out a handful Of loose change.
How much are you supposed to tip
cheese fellows anyway" as the man
having piled the luggage on the taxi
now stood grinning expectantly
Guess that was enough" for the
porter pocketed the coin and touched
his cap. They let You know when
Il isn't"
warren had given the address to
the driver and they were now whirled
out into the hot sun-baked streets.
Told you we'd get it hot I'm Paris
grimly.
Dear it's too hot and we're both too
tired 10 explore. Hadn't we better 20
TO a regular hotel?"
well / want 20 have a look az
this place Merwin recommended. He
says it's right around the corner from
the Continental. If we don't like IL
we can go there"
They had now turned into a wide
boulevard with trees and sidewalk
cafes like the illustrations OF Paris
one sees in the magazines. But Helen
was too tired, hot and uncomfortable
and too much worried about the pos
sible discomforts OF the place 10 which
they were going TO be iterested 1T
street scenes however picturesque.
There's the Continental" Warren
nodded toward a huge hotel with wav-
ing flags Just ahead. cit must be
near here. "Oh. here we are"
The cab was drawing up before the
heavy wrought iron door from out
OF which came running a uniformed
porter
Hold I'D theseit" protested War
rem. as the porter began TO drag out
their luggage. I'VE want 10 look
things over before you take that in
But the porter. eager TO secure ar
American guest was already headed
toward the door with a suit case ir
each hand, and il took some vigorou.
sign language from Warren TO brine
him back TO the waiting taxi.
Here, I'll have TO stay with the
things You go up and see wha
they've got. If II won't do. we'll &c
over to the Continental"
In spite OF the reaSsuring sign
English Spoken Here" il was Will
much trepidation that Helen passed
through the heavy iron doorway, NJ
the circular stairs to a small Office
on the second floor.
Have you any two-room suites
with private bath?" she asked Of this
dapper little Frenchman who rose
from his desk as she entered.
He smiled. bowed. waved her 20 2
chair. then opening a door he Gale
''FanchOni FanChOn!"
young and very pretty French
girl appeared. In soft. hesitaunl
English. she asked
Would Madame like TO see som,
rooms?"
Helen followed her up another figh
Of the circular stairs and was ushere'
into two small rooms furnished a
sitting room and bedroom. both over
looking the boulevard.
Very Decciving.
At the first glance the red velve
hangings o. the canopied bed anO