The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1915-05-11
cooyrsrHt lsl5 by The Mcclure Newspaper syndcate5

glancing at IL 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 a few grains on the Ia
blecloth.
NO, 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 it in
-" began Mr.. Elliott, but Helen did
not hear the rest; she was watching
anxiousIy for the waiter to bring the
| check.
It was we'll over twelve dollars, but
| she had a morbid desire to know the
exact amount Mr.. Elliot was launched
ON a long story about India, so that he
might seem absorbed while Warren
paid, subterfuge which she knew.
Warren was too generous and whole
| S0uled 10 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 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 a dollar bill to-
rest i've 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 a 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 paidl But
then, came the thought of her ungra
ciousness to Mr.. Elliot. She had hard
ly been civil-he must have felt heT
antagonism throughout the dinner!
Could he have guessed the cause and
been secretly exultant?
The color flooded her face as she
fumbIed with her. fan Did she imag
| inc IT, or was he looking at her with
! a grim satisfaction.
1t was a relief when he left them
at the subway.
p
lit a cigarette Yes, Elliot's a mighty
fine fellow. Corking dinner, too" Then
suddenly, What the devil made you
so glum?"
why, dear, wasn't didn't NEAR
to be- I've had a headache all day
from the heat-perhaps that was It,"
well, when a man gives dinner
Iike-that, it's up to you to look pleas
ant"
But / didn't know 1t was his din
ner-I thought" Helen stopped II
: confusion; she had not intended to ad
! NIT that.
"Oh, that's it, is it?' Warren gave
} her a keen glance. You thought thu
dinner was on me. and you we're 81
blamed stingy you begrudged ever
mouthful!"
} you know it wasn't that" Lee
Helen. miserably. You don't thinl
T.
you're a fine kflljoy," contempt
uously "See here, this things grow
ing on you. BY Jove, If you get t.
begrudging what we eat"
: But the rest was lost In the roa
of the train as 1t drew In.
> Helen sank into a seat, her eye
fixed on the blank walls OF the sub
way. Was she really so small ant
mercenary? Was this desire to saw
growing upon her? II 1t was. hov
2 could she combat it.?
!, She thought of the wasted evening
! OF the dinner which she should hav
= enjoyed, but which had been for he
only a period of torture.
l. And yet when Warren was con
stantly complaining OF hard times,
E how could she enjoy a dinner upol
, which she felt he was squanderin
a money so recklessly?