The Washington herald., 1914-09-07
THE MARRIED LIFE OF HELEN AND WARREN
Warren Orders an Expensive Dinner and Helen Can
Think Only Of the Check.
IBy MABEL HERBERT URNER.
nator Of Their Married Life" Author Of The Journal Of
Neglected Wife," "Ths Woman Alone" Etc.
Copyright. lHLJ

SSVA1EIL not order Just yet'
" Warren waved aside the
w dinner card. Expect a
gentleman here in a minute.
VERY we'll, sir" the waiter filed
their glasses, placed the menu before
them and hurried of. =.
Dinner de Luxe, two dollars,
read Helen, with a gasp of dismay.
Two dollarsl Why. that's outra-
geousI 1t was never more than a
dollar and half"
fThat is pretty stiff" Warren ad-
mitteds We'll, now they've got the
crowd coming-theyve boosted the
price"
But we don't have to take the
dinner, do WEI" persisted Helen.
Can't we order a Ia carte
Yes, and it'll cost darn sight
more before we're through.
Not if we don't order so much,
and it's so hot tonight, dear. we
won't want much"
There's Elliot nowT Warren
waved the card at a man in white
fiannels standing expectantly in the
doorway. He saw the signal and
made his way toward them.
Hope / haven't kept you wait
ing" as he greeted Helen. Then IN
answer to Wsrren's query. Yes, a
dry Martini"
Helen was unreSponsive to Mr.
Elliot's genial efforts TO include her
in the conversation. She had come
to dread his semi-annual tnP to
New York, because Warren always
took him out and always paid the
bill.
How could he accept such hospi-
tality and make no effort TO return
it? OF course, he had repeatedly IN
vited them to ST. Louis, but he was
safe in that, for he knew they would
never come.
Now. let's get this ordering over
first" Warren pushed the card to-
ward Elliot. What do you feel like
the dinner"
Looks pretty heavy. I don't
know about you folks, but ! want
something light this weather"
Helen greeted this announcement
with enthusiasm.
Il was just telling Warren that.
We'd all be much better off if we'd
eat less while it's so warm.
"All right, we'll order then" War
ren turned to the waiter. Lets
see your a Ia carte card.
The waiter brought it with evi-
dent reluctance. Apparently in this
room you were expected to take the
dinner and not try to economic by
an a Ia carte order. .
How about clamS?" suggested
Warren.
q can always cat clans" agreed
Mr.. Elliot.
Cocktail or plain?"
Plain"
Helen made a troubled note that
CLANS here were thirty-hve cents
that made a dollar and FIVE for the
first course. Perhaps the dinner
would have been cheaper after all.
"Soup?" asked Warren. That
St. Germain ought to be pretty good
they make it of fresh peas now.
"Oh, it's too warm for soup" in
terrupted Helen, hoping desperate
ly that Warren was not going TO or
der a course dinner at a Ia carte
prices. 1t would be twice as much
as the table d'hote.
Chicken broth jellied," suggest
ed Mr.. Elliot. that's cold"
At this Helen dropped her eyes to
hide their resentment.
"AIl right-three chicken broths,
ordered Warren. Then, reading
from the fish list: Bass, Fresh
Mackerel, Filet of Sole?"
"Oh. dear, l don't think it's safe
to eat FISH," broke in Helen, deter
minedly.
1T ought to be all right at a place
like this" Mr.. Elliot assured her.
"I had some sole here last summer
that was exceptionally fine"
Countless times Helen had heard
Warren declare that there was no
sole in America, that If was only
founder. but now he tactfully re-
Trained from this favorite comment
and promptly ordered the sole.
Now, Elliot, look over those en-
trees. Anything there strikes you"
Helen was wretchedly twisting the
napkin in her lap: CLAIMS, soup,
fish, and now an entree and prob
ably a rosstl Oh, why hadn't they
taken the dinner? Every moment
increased her fierce resentment of
this man. How could he let War
rem order so extravagantly?
However, he did suggest that they
skip the entree. but for the roast
ne proposed guinea hen-one of the
highest priced items on the menu.
"How about that, waiter" asked
Warren. That guinea hen enough
for three"
Helen almost gasped. The guinea
hen was $2. 2.5o-surely he would not
order an extra portion But the
waiter said the hens were fair sized
and, with the rest OF the dinner,
should be enough for three.
well, bring with it some new po-
.a.oes and green Peas. That'1l do.
MI give the rest Of the order later.
Now, let's see your wine card"