The Caldwell watchman. (Columbia, La.) 1885-1946, 1915-03-26
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by the NeWspapcr

king wine, Mrs. Curtis?"
"Why, know SO little about wines"
answered Helen, fearing that sparkling
Chablis was expensive, and wanting to
order Medoc, the cheapest claret on
the list. Il often tell Warren | enjoy
the red ink at those Italian tables
dhote as much as do champagne"
But this hint for inexpensive claret
passed unnoticed.
Everything was exceptionally good
and well served, but 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 it to verify the prices.
After the roast Warren ordered en-
dive 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 few grains on the Ia
blecloth
mo, you don't often see those"
Helen answered stiffly, feeling that
this was merely to make conversation
while Warren paid the bill.
Pepper should always be ground
fresh, Now, in India they serve it in
- began Mr.. Elliott, but Helen did
not hear the rest; she was watching
anxiously for the waiter to bring the
check.
1t was well over twelve dollars, but
she had morbid desire to know the
exact amount. MIR Elliot was launched
on long story about India, so that he
might seem absorbed while Warren
paid, a subterfuge which she knew.
Warren was too generous and whole
souled to see through.
The waiter was coming now. But,
to Helen's establishment, he placed the
tray by Mr. Elliot-not by Warren.
Then she saw that it was not the
check-but money! Several bills and
some silver! What did it mean?
See here, what's this" demanded
Warren, with puzzled frown.
Got ahead of you this trip" smiled
Mr. Elliot, showing a dollar bill to-
ward the waiter and pocketing the
rest. 'Tve 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 twenty-dollar bill as
came in. Told him to deduct the
check"
We'll, it's one on me, all right"
grinned Warren, "but you'll not put
that over again."
Helen's first sensation had been an
immense relief Warren did not have
to pay the check-it was paid! But,
then, came the thought of her ungra-
,iousness to Mr.. Elliot. She had hard.
" been civil-he must have felt her
Throughout the dinner!
Could he have guessed the cause and
been secretly exultant?
The color flooded her face as she
'umbled with her fan. Did she mag
ne it, or was he looking at her with
/ grim satisfaction.
1t was a relief when he left them
1t the subway
Mice fellow" unused Warren, as he
it a cigarette. Eyes, Elliot's mighty
inc fellow. Corking dinner, too" Then,
What the devil made you
10 glum?"
why, dear, wasn't didn't mean
o be. I've had a headache all day
rom the heat-perhaps that was it"
well, when a man gives a dinner
ike that. it's up to you to look pleas
mt"
"But I didn't know it was his din
ler-l thought Helen stopped in
confusion; she had not intended to adj
nit that.
ooh, that's it, is it," Warren gave
Ter keen glance. you thought the
Inner was on me, and you were so
'lamed stingy you begrudged every
"You know it wasn't that" lied
Helen, miserably. you don't think
-"
you're a fine kill-joy," contempt
ously. "See here, this things grow
ng on you. BY Jove, if you get to
egrudging what we eat"
But the rest was lost in the roar
f the train as 1t drew in.
Helen sank into a seat, her eyes
xed on the blank walls of the sub
'ay. Was she really so small and
nercenary? Was this desire to save
rowing upon her? If it was, how
ould she combat it?
She thought Of the wasted evening.
f the dinner which she should have ,
njoyed, but which had been for her
My period of torture.
And yet when Warren was con-
family complaining of fhard times"
ow could she enjoy a dinner upon
hitch she felt he was sQuandering
honey so recklessly?
Dsu, knnu,e Eun.ukLSs.