The Washington herald., 1916-07-31

! ~ Helen, as they went up
the graveled. geranium-bordered walk
to the Sea Crest hotel.
Looks pretty crowded." Warren
paused to scan the long dining We
| randa.
Light gowns, flutterlng fans and
wilted walters attested to the heat.
A military band, in white uniforms,
clashed an accelerated ai..
PLENTY of seats inside, sir" per-
suaded the head waiter.
What can you give us out here?"
demanded Warren.
Nothing just now. If you care
to wait"
ooh look, those people are leav-
ing-over there by the railing" in
tcrrupted Helen eagerly.
AS the departing couple rose,
hastily they edged their way through
and took triumphant possession OF
the table
Dear, this is wonderful" turning
from the Soiled dishes, Helen rested
her elbow on the railing and gazed
out at the smoldering sunset.
The heat mist, shrouding the hori-
zon, dimmed the fiery ball, already
slipping into the sea.
"Yes. we're in luck to get this.
Look at 'cm coming"
A stream of people were turning
in from the boardwalk Pausing on
the steps they would glance over the
crowded veranda, then reluctantly
follow the head waiter into the glar-
ingly-lit dining room.
The sun now almost submerged, a
couple of bell boys ran out to haul
down the flag that fluttered from a
tall staff on the lawn. The band
struck up THE Star Spangled Ban
ner," and every one rose.
Helen felt a thrill of patriotism as
she watched this military ceremony,
and gazcd out across the ocean, be-
yond which so many countries were
devastated by war. The peaceful
crowd about her seemed suddenly
very care free and prosperous.
Here, clear this table-and take
my order~
Warren's sharp complaint grated
harshly 1t was enough just to sit
| there and rest, without struggling
for service, which she knew from
the crowd would be slow.
This isn't my table, sir. I'll send
| your waiter"
Frowningly Warren pushed back
the soiled dishes and threw over
them a corner of the coffee-stained
| CLOTH rescued a match-safe from the
clutter, and lit cigar.
rs that large steamer" she was
gazing at the dark speck that headed
trailing length of smoke against
the skyline.
But Warren was watching an over
stout woman in an absurdly tight
gown, her fat hands crowded with
diamonds and lumpish pearls en-
bellshing her ears.
love, I'd hate to buy food for
the females around here" he said
his caustic glance wandering on to
another robust lady, her pink corpu-
lence bulging her thin white waist.
You'd hardly think she'd need
furs," unused Helen. noting the white
fox scarf about her bulky shoulders
bout time to let 'em know we're
here" belligerently, his impatience
again faring up. Hold on, you the
waiter for this tablel"
"No, sir, I'll send him to you"
Here a perspiring waiter, his shirt
front bristling with checks, dashed
up, cleared the table and flung on
a damply-fresh cloth.
"Where're the roasts" Warren
was scowling at the family mimeo-
graphed dinner card. "No roasts, nc
notwithstanding but soup and
cold meat? What the Sam Hill does
this mean"
"Oh, here's a notice" Helen read
the note at the bottom of the card
1.-THE new management begs to
announce that this is but a tempo
rary menu. Within the next few
days it will be sufficiently augmented
to afford complete service"
Huh" growled Warren, we're in
for it all right" Then scanning the
soups, "St Germain-those peas
canned or fresh?"
Canned, sir" admitted the waiter
"Consumme then" curtly "Cold
roast beef and a bottle of bass"
Chicken salad and a claret lem
onade," contributed Helen. Then as
the waiter disappeared, Dear, that's
not so bad; it's too hot to eat much
anyway. But you wouldn't think
they'd change management in the
middle of the season"
"Oh, these summer hotels are al
ways changing hands. Expensive
plants to keep up-and not much
doing except Saturday and Sunday
There's a lighthouse" she was
glancing out at the misty horizon
from which flashed a faint revolving
| LIGHT