The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1915-05-07

That's what L m going 10 nnQ OUT.
You stay here with these" and, leav-
ing Helen with the hand baggage,
Warren hurried to the ticket window.
The dimly lit station was swarming
with passengers from the St. Paul,
all tenseIy anxious to get on to Lon
don. 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 ex-
hilaration OF landing Even the hurry
and excitement were subdued by the
ominous feeling of depression
Got two berths of some kind" an
nounced Warren. Then. with a glance
at the lunch counter. Want some OF
that fodder while we wait? There's
our old friend, Bovril," nodding at
the familiar English sign.
Il don't like beef extract" de-
INJURED Helen.
Hello. they've got bar. tool What
about sherry and bitters? Thatn set
you up.
Wait, DEAR" as Warren started for
the lunch counter. "A lot of people
are wiring on to the hotels for rooms.
Don't you think we'd better?"
.''No; they always soak you more.
Don't you worry--we'll get in some
where They'll not turn away good
American money, war or no war"
Warren now made a raid on the
lunch counter, returning with sherry
and sandwiches. They had had a
late supper on the steamer. but the
thought of the midnight landing In
country still in the throes or war
had left Helen too excited to eat
"All passengers this wayl"-shouted
the guard.
Helen hastily finished her sandwich
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
platter" asked the custom officer per-
functorily. as. he chalked the trunks
without opening them.
With some difficulty Warren got q
porter. The scarcity of porters was
one of the first evidences OF the war
Register these trunks through to
Custom" he ordered. This hand bag
gage well have in the sleeper"
Outside they made their way down
the platform to the waiting train
where's this stateroom?" asked
Warren, showing his ticket
They're not reserved. sir. Take
any you like"
When the porter deposited their
hand baggage In one OF the stuffy state
rooms, Helen looked around with
amazed disapproval. Compared with
the luxurious American sleeper IL was
crude, shabby and not even clean
There were two cot-like berths with
a washstand between. The curtains
we're stained and dusty, and the bit OF
carpet worn threadbare.
Helen promptly examined the dubi-
ous-looking bed linen The narrow
sheets barely covered the soiled mat
tress, and the harsh, stin blankets
were grayish white.
Dear, lookl Even the sheets don't
look freshl"
well. they're getting American
managers on these roads now. They'll
send 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" scowling around
for a place to hang his coat; you're
to take things on this trip as you find
'em. Wen have none OF this squeam-
ishness. II you don't like"
'Oh, wait" pleadingly. Let me
wash out that basin first" as Warren
started to wash up. And. dear. don't
use that soap,
Impatiently 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. I paid for this stateroom tc
get a few hours sleep-not to potter
around all night"
Helen had hardly begun to undress
when Warren Topped into his BERTH
Great Scott. this things narrow
Don't take any chances on tossing
about Say. what in thunder are yol
doing now2.
'Fn be through in a minute" for
having a deep-rooted aversion fol
| doubtful wash basins, Helen was clean
ing her face with cold cream
Well, / may not be SO ALFRED par
ticular as you are-but / wouldD'
smear all that grease paint on my fac'
for a farm"
Through a lulI in the rumbling o
the baggage trucks, the voices OF 1--WE
women now came with shrin distinct
ness from the adjoining staterOom: