The Elbert County tribune., 1915-04-16


You stay here with these" and. leav-
ing Helen with the hand baggage,
Warren hurried to the ticket window.
The dimly lit station was swarming
with passengers from the St. Paul.
all tensely anxious to get on to Lon
don. The excitement of the midnight
landing was in the air
London papers were being eagerly
scanned for the latest war news. A
table supplied with cable and tele-
graph blanks was crowded with those
anxious to send messages.
But there was none of the usual ex-
hilaration Of landing. Even the hurry
and excitement were subdued by the
ominous feeling of depression.
Got two berths of some kind" an
nounced Warren. Then. with glance
at the lunch counter, Want some of
that fodder while we wait? There's
our old friend, Bovril,' nodding at
the familiar English sign.
Il don't like beef extract" de-
INJURED Helen.
Hello, they've got a bar, too! What
about sherry and bitters? That1l set
you up.
wait, dear" as Warren started for
the lunch counter. "A lot OF people
are wiring on to the hotels for rooms.
Don't you think we'd better?"
NO; they always soak you more.
Don't you worry-we'll get in some
where. They'll not turn away good
American money. war or no war"
Warren now made a raid on the
lunch counter, returning with sherry
and sandwiches They mad had
late supper on the steamer, but the
thought of the midnight landing in
country still in the throes OF war
had left Helen too excited to eat.
"All passengers this way." shouted
the guard.
/ Helen hastily finished her sandwich
and followed Warren into the huge
brick-lined hall, where all the baggage
was ready for inspection.
Keep close to me" as he pushed
ahead and quickly located their trunks
In the section under &c"
ANY spirits. tobacco or silver
plate?" asked the custom officer per-
functorily, as he chalked the trunks
without opening them.
With some difficulty Warren got
porter The scarcity of porters was
one OF the first evidences of the war.
Register these trunks through to
Euston," he ordered. This hand bag
gage well have in the sleeper
Outside they made their way down
the platform to the waiting train.
Where's this stateroom?" asked
Warren. showing his ticket.
They're not reserved, sir. Take
any you like"
When the porter deposited their
hand baggage in one of the stuffy state
rooms, Helen looked around with
amazed disapproval. Compared with
he luxurious American sleeper 1t was
crude, shabby and not even clean.
There were two cot-like berths with
washstand between. The curtains
we're stained and dusty. and the bit of
carpet worn threadbare.
Helen promptly examined the dubi-
ous-looking bed linen. The narrow
sheets barely covered the soiled mat
.ress. and the harsh, stiff blankets
we're a grayish white.
Dear, look! Even the sheets don't
look fresh!"
We'll. they're getting American
managers on these roads now. They'll
Junk heap"
Let's get out our steamer rugs
persisted Helen. They're cleaner than
these blankets"
Unheeding Warren's growing pro-
test she unstrapped the rugs. Then
from her suitcase she took two towels
and pinned them over the pillows.
Now, see here" scowling around
for a place to hang his coat; you're
to take things on this trip as you find
em. Well have none of this squeam-
ishness If you don't like"
"Oh. wait" pleadingly. Let me
wash out that basin first" as Warren
started to wash up. And, dear, don't
use that soap!"
Impatiently he waited while Helen
washed out the dusty basin and got
the soap from her suitcase.
"Oh, dear. wouldn't stand on this
dirty floor. Where're your slippers?
Let me get them out for you"
mo, you don't" pushing her aside.
No sense in getting everything un-
packed. l paid for this stateroom to
get few hours sleep-not to potter
around all night"
Helen had hardly begun to undress
when Warren Topped into his berth
Great Scott. this things narrow!
Don't take any chances on tossing
about Say. what in thunder are you
doing now?"
''Pll be through in minute for,
having deep-rooted aversion for
doubtful wash basins, Helen was clean
ing her face with cold cream.