Rocky Ford enterprise., 1915-05-21

shoulder.
Right here behind the door," Helen
showed a chair out of the way. THAT
small one you can put there by the
dresser"
While he unstrapped the trunks,
Helen got out her purse. Would six
pence tip be enough? But at the last
moment his brass buttons and gilt
braid made her tumble hurriedly for a
shilling.
When the door closed after him, she
began an eager. delighted inspection Of
the rooms. They were the bachelor
chambers" of an army officer now In
the war. Bedroom, living room and
bath; valet and catering" the adver-
tisement had read.
As they were to be in London sever
al weeks longer, Helen had rebelled at
the hotel room without bath, for which
they were paying an exorbitant price.
This place she had found through
sheer luck-and the London Times.
The furnishings were ideal. There was
an air of distinction about the low
bookcases, the carved sideboard and
the walls hung with deer heads and
foreign trophies.
To Helen it looked like the stage
setting of a bachelors room In
Pinero play, the scene where the in
discreet young wife is discovered by
her husband. There was even a screen
for the lady to hide behind.
"Shall l unpack Mr.. Curtis things
now, ma'am?"
With a start Helen turned to find
Leopard, the valet, beside her.
81 beg your pardon. ma'am. but II
you'll give me the key to Mr.. Curtis
trunk"
Helen thought fast. Her knowledge
of Wallets duties was vague. gathered
mainly from what she had seen on the
stage. She did not. want this man to
unpack Warren's trunk, but she was
too much awed by him to say SO.
Nervously she watched him take out
the things and arrange them in the
closet and chiffonier. On account OF
the war they had brought few clothes,
and she was uncomfortably conscious
that warren's wardrobe must appear
very meager to this smart English
servant.
She tried to seem absorbed in her
own unpacking, as with elaborate care
he refolded pair of worn. faded
pajamas that she had thought Warren
could wear once more before she
threw them away.
Warren's soiled linen he had already
carried OF, while she looked on help
lessly Now he threw a suit over his
arm and started off again.
rs there anything of yours you'd
like brushed. ma'am?"
mo, / think not" relieved to have
him go.
But with soft-footed stealth he kept
reappearing He brought back War
ren's suit, then took away his shoes.
Then he came in to look after the
open fire. He did not knock, and Helen
found herself looking nervously over
her shoulder to see II he was there.
Disconcerting as was his presence.
1t gave her a delightful feeling of af-
fuence. Helen's idea of luxury had
always been the luxury of the English
novel and play. And now that she was
in something of that atmosphere. she
tried to live up" to 1t.
Instead of unpacking in her cotton
crepe kimono, she slipped on a silk
negligee. And when at four o'clock
the valet brought her tea, she leaned
back in one of the luxurious leather
chairs while he served 1t before the
fire.
1t was after six when Warren came.
She greeted him joyously.
Hello, all settled?" as he hung up
his oyercoat.
"Oh, yes. dear, isn't it wonderful? l
could hardly wait till you came. I'm
wild about these rooms."
Looks like we're going to be pretty
comfortable here"
"And just think-it'n not cost any
more than the hotel"
Not as much-not SO many tips.
How about that valet? He showed
up YETI"
Dear. he's been here every minute!
He doesn't knock, and he walks so
softly, you can't hear him"
Don't like him gum-shoeing around,
eh?"
"oh yes-yes," hastily. "if could
only know when he's coming"
Might mine the entrance hail."
grinned Warren. Hello, whered this
come from? Been having high-ball?'
as he took up half-filled syphon from
the sideboard.
"oh, found that down here" Helen
opened the cupboard underneath. THE
valet must have overlooked it. And
these, too" taking out box of ciga-
rettes. Look they're crested and in
itialed.'
Huh, don't think much of man
who has his cigarettes initiated. One
of those monocled, white-spatted John