Iowa state bystander. [volume] (Des Moines, Iowa) 1894-1916, 1915-03-26
Iconvriph ls15 BY the Mcclure Newspaper syndcats)

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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. n. III. A..
Here's something haven't seen
since l was in Paris" remarked Mr..
Elliot abruptly, taking up the pepper
grinder with it's unground pods and
grinding out few grains on the Ia.
blecloth. .& -s
mo, you don't often see those"
Helen answered stifly, feeling that
this was merely to make conversation
while Warren paid the bill.
Pepper should always be, ground
fresh. Now, in India they serve 1t IN
- began Mr. Elliott, but Helen did
not hear the rest; she was watching
anxiously for the waiter to bring the
check. s,s .t =
1t was we'll over twelve dollars, but
she had a morbid desire to know the
exact amount, Mr.. 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. T.. ss.-sa
The waiter was coming now. But,
to Helen's establishment, he placed the
tray by Mr.. Elliot-not by Warren.
Then she saw that 1t was not the
check-but money! Several bills and
some silver! What did 1t mean?
See here. what's this?" demanded
Warren, with a puzzled frown.
Got ahead of you this trip" smiled
Mr.. Elliot, showing dollar bill to-
ward the waiter and pocketing the
rest. I've dined with you every time
I've been in New York, so it was about
my turn" III.
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" 80
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-
ciousness to Mr.. Elliot. She had hard
ly been civil-he must have felt her
antagonism throughout the dinner!
Could he have guessed the cause and
been secretly exultant?
The color flooded her face as she
fumbled with her fan. Did she imag-
inc it, or was he looking at her with
a grim satisfaction g., g. y " 4 :, :
1t was relief when he left them
at the subway.
Mice fellow" unused Warren, as he
lit a cigarette. Eyes, Elliots a mighty
fine fellow. Corking dinner, too" Then,
suddenly. What the devil made you
so glum?"
Why, dear, I wasn't didn't mean
to be. I've had headache all day
from the heat-perhaps that was It."
well, when man gives a dinner
like that. it's up to you to look pleas
ant"
But I didn't know 1t was his din.
ner-I thought" Helen stopped in
confusion; she had not intended to ad-
nit that.
"Oh, that's it, is IT." Warren gave
her keen glance. "You thought the
dinner was on me, and you were SO
blamed stingy you begrudged every
mouthful!" r.. H.
You know 1t wasn't that" lied
Helen, miserably. you don't think
You're fine kill-joy," contempt
uously. "see here, this things grow
Ing on you. BY Jove, II you get to
begrudging what we eat" y.
But the rest was lost in the roar
OF the train as it drew in. ms z..a..
Helen sank into a seat, her eyes
fixed on the blank walls of the sub
way. Was she really SO small and
mercenary,? Was this desire to save
growing upon her? If it was, how
could she combat It? ~ ~. %:s& !.
She thought of the wasted evening.
OF the dinner which she should have
enjoyed, but which had been for her
only period Of torture ,,4 = * ,alss
And yet when Warren was con-
stantly complaining of hard times
how could she enjoy a dinner upon
which she felt he was sQuandering
money SO recklessly?