Rocky Ford enterprise., 1915-03-26
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Copyright, 1876 by Newspaper syndicate)

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. 81 often tell Warren ] enjoy
the red ink at those Italian tables
d'hote 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 I haven't seen
since I was in Paris" remarked Mr..
Elliot abruptly, taking up the pepper
grinder with its unground pods and
grinding out few grains on the ta-
blecloth.
mo, you don't often see those"
Helen answered stifiy, 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.
It was well 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.
The waiter was coming now. But,
to Helen's astonishment. 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 it mean?
"See here. what's this?" demanded
Warren. with a puzzled frown.
"Got ahead of you this trip" smiled
Mr.. Elliot, showing a dollar bill to-
ward the waiter and pocketing the
rest. I've dined with you every time
my turn"
"But, how in the devil"
THAT was easy. Just slipped the
head waiter a twenty-dollar bill as 1
came in. Told him to deduct the
check"
well, 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-
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
grim satisfaction.
1t was q relief when he left them
at the subway.
Mice fellow" unused Warren, as he
lit cigarette. Yes, Elliots mighty
fine fellow. Corking dinner. too" Then.
suddenly. What the devil made you
SO glum?'
why, dear, wasn't didn't mean
to be. I've had headache all day
from the heat-perhaps that was it.
well, when a man gives 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!"
you know it wasn't that" lied
Helen, miserably. You don't think
l."
you're fine kill-joy," contempt
uously. See here, this things grow
ing on you. By Jove, If you get to
begrudging what we eat"
But the rest was lost in the roar
of the train as it drew in.
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
SioWiHs upon ueT! IL IL WdS, nv"
could she combat It?
She thought of the wasted evening.
of the dinner which she should have
enjoyed, but which had been for her
only period of torture.
And yet when Warren was con-
stantly complaining of hard times,
how could she enjoy dinner upon
which she felt he was squandering
money so recklessly?