The Washington herald., 1914-09-07
What would this dinner

NOSNs
I'll tell you a good summer wine
sparkling ChabGs," suggested Mr..
Elliot. cheerfully. DO you like a
sparkling wine. Mrs. Curtis"
Why. | know so little about
wines" answered Helen, fearing that
sparkling Chabhs was expensive.
and wanting to order Medoc, the
cheapest claret on the list. Il often
tell Warren / enjoy the red ink at
those It1lian tables d'hote as much
as l do champagne"
But this hint for inexpensive
claret passed unnoticed.
Everything was exceptionally good
and well served, buf Helen, who
kept trying to add up in her mind
the amount of the bill. could not
enjoy it. She had propped the menu
against the mirrored wall beside her
and kept glancing at il to verify the
prices.
After the roast Warren ordered
endive salad, then coffee, cordial and
cigars. 1t was half-past ten before
he called for the check.
Here's something / haven't seen
since ! was in Paris" remarked Mr..
Elliot abruptly. taking up the pepper
grinder with its unground pods and
grinding out a few grains on the Ia
blecloth.
mo, you don't often see those"
Helen answered stifly, feeling that
this was merely to make conVerSa-
tion while Warren paid the bill.
Pepper should always be ground
fresh. Now. in India they serve it
in" began Mr.. Elliot, but Helen
did not hear the rest; she was watch
ing anxiously for the waiter to bring
the check.
Ii was we'll over twelve dollars,
but she had a morbid desire to know
the exact amount Mr.. Elliot was
launched on long story about In
dia, so that he might seem absorbed
while Warren paid. A subterfuge
which she knew Warren was too
generous and Ehole-souled to see
through.
The waiter was coming now. But,
to Helen's astonishment, be placed
the tray by Mr.. Elliot-not BY War
rcn. Then she saw that it was not
the check-but money! Several bills
and some silverl What did it mean?
See here, what's this?" demand
ed Warren. with a puzzled frown-
Got ahead of you this trip"
smiled Mr.. Elliot. showing a dolla-
bill toward the waiter and pocket
ing the rest. I've dined with you
every time I've been in New York,
so it was about my turn"
But. how in the devil"
That was easy. Just slipped the
head waiter a twenty-doflar bill As !
came in. Told him to deduct the
check"
We'll, it's one on me, all right
that over again"
Helen's first sensation had been
an immense relief. Warren did not
have to paySahe check-it was paid !
But, then, came the thought of her
ungraciousness to Mr.. Elliot. She
had hardly been civil-he must have
felt her antagoniSm throughout the
dinner Could he have guessed the
cause and been secretly exultant?
The color flooded her face as she
fumbled with her fan. Did she
imagine it, or was he looking at her
with a grim satisfaction.
1t was a relief when he let them
at the subway.
Nice fellow" unused Warren, as
he lit a cigarette. Yes, Elliot's a
mighty fine fellow. Corking dinner,
too" Then, suddenly, What the
devil made you so glum?"
why, dear. l wasn't didn't
mean to be. I've had a headache all
day from the heat-perhaps that was
it"
We'll, when a man gives a dinner
like that, it's up to you to look pleas
ant"
But didn't know it was his din
ner-I thought" Helen stopped
in confusion. she had not intended
to admit that.
"Oh, that's it, is it?" Warren
gave her a keen glance. you
thought the dinner was on me, and
NOu "CiC 81 OlAinCO sunny gOu W
.grudged every mouthful'
You know it wasn't that" Hed
Helen, miserably. You don't think
/"
You're a fine kill-joy," contempt
uously. See here, this things grow
ing on you. By Jove, if you get to
begrudging what We cat"
But the rest was lost in the roar
of the train as it drew in.
Helen sank into a seat, her eyes
fixed on the blank walls of the sub
way. Was she really so small and
mercenaryl Was this desire to save
growing upon herr If it was, how
could she combat il?
She thought of the wasted even
ing, of the dinner which she should
have enjoyed, but which had-been
for her only a period Of torture.
And yet when Warren was con-
stantly complaining of hard times"
how could she enjoy a dinner upon
which she felt he was squandering
money so recklessly?