The Caldwell watchman. (Columbia, La.) 1885-1946, 1915-03-26

them and hurried on.
Dinner de Luxe, two dollars" rea
Helen, with a gasp of dismay. "TW
dollars! Why, that's outrageous, |
was never more than a dollar and
half
THAT is pre.t' 5tiff,' Warren ad
mitted well ..aH they've got tn,
crowd coming they've boosted tn
price"
But We don't have to take the din
ner do we?' persisted Helen Can
we order la carte?"
Yes, and it'll cost a darn sigh
more before we're through
Not if we don't order so much, anC
it's so hot tonight, dear, we won
want much"
There's Elliot now Warner
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 haven't kept you waiting.
as he greeted Helen. Then in answer
to Warren's query, Yes, dry Mar
TIM"
Helen was unresponsive to Mr.. Ell
lots 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 off if we'd
eat less while it's so warm"
All right, We'll order then" War.
rem turned to the waiter. Lets see
your la carte card"
The waiter brought it with evident
reluctance. Apparently in this room
you were expected to take the dinner
and not try to economic by a Ia
carte order.
How about clams?' suggested
Warren.
Il can always eat CLANS" agreed
Mr. Elliot.
Cocktail or plain?"
Plain"
Helen made troubled note that
clans here were IS cents-that made
Collar and five for the first course
Perhaps the dinner would have been
cheaper after all
Soup asked Warren. "Tbat
St. German ought to be pretty good
they make it Of fresh peas now"
oh, it's too warm for SOUP" in.
terrupted Helen, hoping desperately
that. Warren was not going to order a
course dinner at la carte prices. It
would be twice as much as the table
dhote.
Chicken broth jellied," suggested
Mr.. Elliot, that's cold"
AT this Helen dropped her eyes to
hide their resentment.
All right-three chicken brotbs"
ordered Warren. Then, reading from
the fish list: BASS, Fresh Mackerel
Filet of Sole?"
"Oh, dear, | don't think it's safe n
eat hsh,' broke in Helen, determined.
ly
1T ought to be all right at a place
IKE this" Mr.. Elliot assured her. al
mad some sole here last summer that
was exceptionally fine"
Countless times Helen had hestd
Warren declare that there was no sole
IN America, that it was only founder,
put now he tactfully refrained from
This favorite comment and promptlv
ordered the sole.
Now, Elliot, look over those entrees
Anything there strikes you?"
Helen was wretchedly twisting the
napkin in her lap: CLANS, SOUP. fish
and now an entree and probably a
roast! Oh, why hadn't they taken the
dlnner? Every moment increased her
herce resentment of this man. How
could he let Warren order so extrava.
gantly?
However, he did suggest that thev
SKIP the entree, but for the roast he
proposed guinea hen-one of the high.
est priced items on the menu
How about that, waiter?" asked
warren That guinea hen enough
for three" e"
helen almost gasped The guinea
men was s2.OO-surely he would NOT
ofaer an extra portion. But tbe
waiter said the hens were fair sized
ana with the rest of the dinner
should be enough for three
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