The Washington herald., 1914-09-28

n can we get a sleeper%
That's what I'm going
to find out. You stay here with
these" and, leaving Helen. with the
hand baggage, Warren hurried te
the ticket window.
The dimly-lit station was swarm
ing with passengers from the St
Paul, all tensely anxious to get on
to London. The excitement of the
midnight landing was in the air.
London papers were being eagerly
scanned for the latest war news. A
table supplied with cable and tele-
graph blanks was crowded with
those anxious to send messages.
But there was none of the usual
exhilaration of landing. Even the
hurry and excitement were subdued
by the ominous feeling Of depression.
Got two berths of some kind,
announced Warren. Then, with a
glancs At the lunch counter, Want
some of that fodder while we wait ,
There's our old friend, Boveril," /"
nodding at the familiar English
sign.
II don't Ike beef extract" de-
INJURED Helen.
Hello, they've get a bar, tool
What about sherry and bitterss ?
That'll set you up"
wait, DEAR" as Warren started
for the lunch counter. "A lot Of
these people are wiring on to the
hotels fer rooms. Don't ysu think
we'd betterH
NE, they always soak you more.
Don't you>SForY-weH get In some
where. They'll not turn away good
American money, war or no war"
Warren now made q raid on the
lunch counter, returning with sherry
and sandwiches. They had had
late supper on the steamer, but the
thought of the midnight landing in
a country still in the thToes Of war
had left Helen too excited to eat.
"Al passengers this wayr shout
ed the guard.
Helen hastily finished her sand
wich and followed Warren into the
huge brick-lined hall where all the
baggage was ready for inspection.
Keep close to me-" as he pushed
ahead and quickly located their
trunks in the section under &C"
ANY spirits, tobacco, or silver
plate?" asked the custom officer per-
functorily, as he chalked the trunks
without opening them.
With some difficulty Warren got
a porter. The scarcity Of porterS
49,, -. oF tb. e.. ..,;J..s.. .E 81.
war.
Register these trunks through to
Euston," he ordered. This hand
baggage we'll have in the sleeper"
Outside they made their way down
the platform to the waiting train.
Where's this stateroomS asked
Warren, showing his ticket.
They're not reserved, sir. Take
any ysu like"
When the porter deposited their
hand-bagEage in one of the Stuffy
StateroOms, Helen Ioked around with
amazed disapproval. Compared with
the luxurious American sleeper it
was crude, shabby. and not even
clean.
There were two cot-like berths
with a waShStand between. The cur
tains were stained and dusty, and
the bit of carpet worn .threadbare.
Helen promptly examined the du-
looking bed linen. The mar
row sheets barely covered the seiled
mattress, and the harsh, stiff blank
cts were a grayish white
Dear. look Even the sheets dea't
look freshl"
We'll they're getting Ameicau
managers on these roads now.
They'll send a lot of these old cars
to the junk heap"
LET'S get out our steamer rugs"
persisted Helen. They're cleaner
than these blankets"
Unheeding Warren's growing pro-
test, she unstrapped the rugs. Then
from her suitcase she took two
towels and pinned them over the
pillows.
Now, see here" Sowing around
for place to hang his coat; you're
to take things on this trip as you
find EN-. Well have none of this
squeamishness. If you don't like
"Oh, wait" pleadingly. Let me
wash out that basin first" as War
ren started to wash up. "And, dear,
don't use that soap"
Impstiently. he waited while Helen
washed out the dusty basin and got
the soap from her suitcase.
"Oh, dear, wouldn't stand on this
dirty floor. Where're your slippers?
Let me get them out for you"
No, you don't" pushing her aside.
mo sense in getting everything un-
packed. l paid for this stateroom
10 get a few hours sleep-not to
potter around all night"
Helen had hardly begun to un-
dress when Warren topped into his
berth.
Great Scott, this things narrowl
Don't take any chances on tossing
about Say, what in thunder are you
doing now?"
'I'll be through in just a minute"
for, having a deep-rooted aversion
for doubtful wash basins, Helen was