Tensas gazette. [volume] (St. Joseph, La.) 1886-current, 1915-04-16

| ~ ~~Os OAoCA JoSS yCtp w dAiCl
waved aside the dinner card. Eek
pect gentleman here in q minute"
Very well, sir" the waiter file,
their glasses, placed the menu before
them and hurried of.
Dinner de Luxe, two dollars" reat
Helen. with gasp of dismay tive
collars! Why, that's outrageous! L
s'as never more than a dollar and {
Salf."
That is pretty stif." Warren ad
shifted. We'll, now they've got the
trowd coming-they've boosted the
price,"
But we don't have to take the din
ner. do WEI" persisted Helen. Cant
we order a la carter"
Yes. and it'll cost a darn sight
more before we're through"
Not il We don't order SO much, and
It's so hot tonight. dear. we won't
want much"
There's Elliot now!" Warren
waved the card at a man in white
f1annels standing expectantly in the
doorway. He saw the signal and
made his way toward them.
Hope l haven't kept you waiting,
as he greeted Helen. Then in answer
to Warren's query. Yes. a dry Mar
tint"
Helen was unresponsive to Mr.. Ell
liot's genial efforts to include her In
the conversation. She had come to
dread his semiannual trip to New
York, because Warren always took
him out and always paid the bill.
How could he accept such hospital
ity and make no effort to return It?
OF course. he had repeatedly invited
them to st. Louis. but he was safe in
that. for he knew they would never
come.
Now, let's get this ordering over
first" Warren pushed the card to-
ward Elliot. What do you feel like
the dinner"
Looks pretty heavy. I don't know
about you folks, but l want some
thing light this weather"
Helen greeted this announcement
with enthusiasm.
i was just telling Warren that.
We'd all be much better of il we'd
eat less while it's so warm"
"All right, well order then" War
rem turned to the waiter. Lets see
your a Ia carte card"
The waiter brought 1t with evident
reluctance. Apparently in this room
you were expected to take the dinner
and not try to economic by a la
carte order.
How about clams?" suggested
Warren.
Il can always eat CLANS" agreed
Mr.. Elliot.
Cocktail or plain?"
plain"
Helen made q troubled note that
clans here were IS cents-that made
q dollar and five for the first course
Perhaps the dinner would have been
cheaper after all.
"Soup" asked Warren. .sThat
st. German ought to be pretty good
they make 1t Of fresh peas now"
"Oh. it's too warm for soup," in.
terrupted. Helen, hoping desperately
mat Warren was not going to order a
course dinner at la carte prices. It
would be twice as much a. the table
d'hote.
Chicken broth jellied," suggested
Mr.. Elliot, that's cold"
At this Helen dropped her eyes to
hide their resentment.
All right-three chicken broths,"
ordered Warren. Then, reading from
The fish list: BASS, Fresh Mackerel.
Filet of Sole?"
"Oh. dear. l don't think it's safe to
lat fsh." broke In Helen. determined
y.
1t ought to be all right at q place
Ike this" Mr.. Elliot assured her. IL
had some sole here last summer that
vas exceptionally fine"
Countless times Helen had heard
declare that there was no sole
n America, that 1t was only founder.
put now he tactfully refrained from
his favorite comment and promptly
,rdered the sole.
Now, Elliot, look over those entrees.
Anything there strikes your?
Helen was wretchedly twisting the |
napkin in her lap: CLANS, soup, fish,
md now an entree and probably a
cast! Oh. why hadn't they taken the |
Inner? Every moment increased her |
ierce resentment Of this man. How
'ould he let Warren order 90 extrava-
,antly?
However, he did suggest that they
kip the entree, but for the roast he |
guinea hen-one of the high
st priced items on the menu.
How about that. waiter?" asked
Warren. That guinea hen enough
or three?"
Helen almost gasped. The guinea
len was $2.00-surely he would not
rider an extra portion! But the
Vaiter said the hens were fair sized
md, with the rest OF the dinner,
hould be enough for three.
We'll, bring with It some new DO
atoes and green peas. That1l do.
II give the rest of the order later.
Tow. let's see your wine card"
BY this time Helen was almost in
ears. What would this dinner cost?
I'll tell you a good summer wine
parking Chablis." suggested Mr.. FL
lot. cheerfully. DO you like a SPAR
ling wine, Mrs. Curtis?"