The Colorado statesman., 1915-04-24

Copyright 1915 by the Mcclure Newspaper syndicate1

glanced critically around the room
with it's high ceiling. heavy English
furniture and hangings.
But, dear, 16 shillings day for the
room!"
War rates. what'd you expect?"
with a shrug.
Listen to this" and Helen read
aloud a notice on the door:
Owing to the shortage of help,
guests will be expected to make up
their own beds until further notice"
Good stuff" chuckled Warren. do
EN- good to make 'em work. Here's
another" going over to sign by the
washstand:
Guests will kindly use as few
towels as possible. Laundries are now
running only part time and deliveries
are uncertain"
Better go slow on your own laun-
dry, too. Now let's wash up and get
down to breakfast. Ring for some hot
water, there
Helen started to touch the button
by the door, but over it was still an
other typewriter notice:
please make as few calls on the
attendants as possible. The hotel is
now being run with less than half its
former staff"
But, dear, we must have hot wa.
ter feel positively grimy. That
was the filthiest train!"
Punch away there! I want hot
water to shave. Get me out a clean
collar, will you?"
Warren unstrapped the suit cases.
and Helen began taking out the most
needed things.
Dear, I'm going to give you this
side of the dresser-this small drawer
and the bottom one. Here's your
toothbrush and shaving soap. I'll put
them on this end of the washstand."
1t was the inevitable long English
washstand with the two massive bowls
and pitchers. A single basin with run
ming water would have been more con.
venient than all this double array, but
| their previous trip had reconciled
Helen to the lack of English baths
and running water.
"Oh, these shelves are thick with
dust!" as she started to put some
things into the wardrobe.
Hold on there! Don't take that
towel! What'd that sign say?"
Helen put back the towel and wiped
off the shelves with some crunpled
tissue paper from her trunk.
The maid brought the hot water,
and Warren, who could shave with
astonishing rapidity, was soon ready.
Dear, don't wait for me; you go
on down and order the breakfast"
Nothing doing-were going down
together" decisively. Come on
rafting the doorknob; you lock good
enough"
Helen thrust in a few more hair
pins, her fingers nervously incapable
under Warren's impatient glare.
Got the key"
They went down the broad red-car-
peted hall to the cage-lke lift"
THAT rooms closed, SIR" a page
informed them as they crossed the
rotunda to the main dining room
"The breakfast rooms Just beyond
Even the breakfast room had a
cheerless, deserted air. A waiter ran
forward eagerly and seated them at
a table by the window.
! Lets see your breakfast card" de-
: manded Warren.
I'VE don't have any now, sir -
We're serving only one breakfast
coffee. bacon and eggs, toast and
marmalade."
How much?"
give shillings, sir"
That's hold-up." growled Warren
but bring it along"
Five shillings," exclaimed Helen,
''for just coffee and eggs? Why
) that's"
Now cut all that savagely
Make up your mind they're going
to soak us right and left. We're
putting up howl every meal" and
Warren retired behind the war news
, of the London Times.
When the breakfast was served he
threw down the paper and peered
( frowningly into the coffee pot.
Cant get a decent cup of coffee
4 in England. pouring out the black
chicory mixture.
But this disgruntled mood was
somewhat Modified by the delicious
Wiltshire bacon and the delicately
favored English eggs.
/ "I'll not have time to go back tc
the ROOM" when they left the table
i Now what're you going to do today
l Got any English money!"
why. yes. dear, you gave me three
pounds on the train"
well, take care of yourself. II
meet you here about SEVEN
s Helen watched him hurry Out
t through the revolving doors. Vaguely
e depressed, she went back to the room
!. alone.
J. The next hour she spent in unpack
# ing, in going over her clothes which