The Caldwell watchman. (Columbia, La.) 1885-1946, 1915-05-21

OF these best things away,"
nont you worry; that agent was
n.lsn.y Keen about our reference.
lnes 70 not taking anybody in here
without knowing who they are
! 'oVe this lamp shade--doesn't it
give a SOFT light? Look how it's made
JUST strips Of Japanese embroidery.
0onle girl made that for him" Then
musiasly' That's just what I'll get for
our library"
nut Warren was busy exploring the
sioeDoard. From a lower drawer he
produced a corkscrew, a shriyeled
lemon, some cloves and a broken
spangled fan.
huh, a gay old codger! That valet
overlooked a lot Of things"
Heien was examining the fan. It
still heid a faint fragrance.
cant you picture an after-theater
supper here-and she forgot her fan?
Maybe that's she" glancing at a photo
graph in a silver frame.
Maybe 1t isn't" scoffed Warren.
That Imagination of yoursN get you
into trouble yet" Then as he stepped
into the bedroom, Say, how about
this bed? Looks mighty narrow to
me-"
why, dear. we've often slept in a
threequarter bed"
We'll, If we're going to stay here, I
want a good wide bed. I'll speak to
that agent tomorrow"
But these are Colonel Craigs'
things. They couldn't change the bed"
"Well, If they've rented these rooms
to two people, they've got to put in a
bed two people can sleep on. See here,
this ought to be locked" He had
opened the door of a narrow closet
crowded with boxes, papers and letter
files. Were not going to be respon-
sible for all this truck. Where's that
valet? How do you get him, any
way?"
81 don't know; he's been here all
day. Wait, III try this bell. Just think,
dear, when we get back we can say
we've had a valet over here!"
"Not on your life?' scowled Warren.
who loathed any form of pretense.
ANY blowing about this valet busi-
ness-we'll can right now!"
Helen flushed. We'll, Mrs. Stevens
is always talking about the way they
IsTeAxAnd the wonderful rooms they
nav
rs Stevens can blow all she
want p. But don't let me hear you-'
DIE you ring, sir?' Leopard stood
in the door.
eyes, you'd better lock up this
closet. We can't be responsible for
all these things"
Eyes, sir, the keys been mislaid,
but I'll have n fitted, sir"
well, see to it tomorrow"
Yes, sir; thank you, sir. What time
shall l draw your bath, SIR"
That's all right; I'll draw my own
bath. You can serve u breakfast at
eight-thirty sharp. And order me the
Times. That's ALL"
Thank you sir" At the door ne
hesitated, Il don't find any boot
trees in your trunk, sir. Perhaps you
left them at the hotel, sir"
Breathlessly Helen waited for War.
ren's answer. It came crisp and curt.
Never had a pair of boot-trees in
my life."
Il beg your pardon, sir" and
Leopard departed precipitately,
"Oh, what made you say that"
gasped Helen.
"What'd you want me to say-that
my man in New York left them out?
mockingly.
"Of course not, but he needn't
know"
Know what? That I'm not aping
any Of these Founders over here? Jove,
you love pretense! Fairly wallow in
it-don't you? Want everybody to
think we've a pile Of money, eh?'
Warren, / don't" Helen flushed
painfully. "You know l don't!"
"Huh, I know you make things out
a whole lot different from what they
are. Both times we've been over here
it's been on business-and on the
too. You're a darn sight more
of the coin than ! am. Yet to
hear You talk, anybody'd think we
came abroad every year for our health,
and spent money like water"
THAT isn't true" Indignantly. you
can't tell me one thing l ever said
Il can't, eh? How about that hot
air you always get of about buying
your clothes 'abroad?' And we never
have anybody to dinner that you don't
manage to ring in something about
our china In England. And all
you ever bought over here was sl1
.eacups!"
"But, Warren" began Helen fee
bly,, the color flaming her face.
I've stood for that, but I'll be hanged
t I'll stand for any talk about our
valet The first time you put on that
company air of yours and spiel OH
about the valet Mr.. Curtis
lad in London'-well, thereu be trou'
lie. Now Just remember that"