The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1916-02-14

Everything all right, SIR? The
head waiter paused solicitously
very good" commended Warren.
Pretty lively here tonight"
Yes, we're crowded now, but it
begins to thin out about nine"
do a good supper business
Not what 1t ought to be. Used to
be jammed here after the theatre.
Now they pass by-go to cheaper
place or go home Nobody in the
show businesses got any money this
year"
While Warren was talking to the
head waiter Helen had caught the
raised voice from the table just back
OF them. A woman was ENORMOUSLY
reproaching a man for neglecting her.
That's leland you know it,"
her voice rose in angry shrillness.
"You had her out last night You
took her to Maxim's-Jim saw you
there. And twas my money that paid
for the supper"
The mans mumbled reply Helen
could not hear.
Il tell you. I'm tired of supporting
you," the woman shilled on. You've
lied to me and fooled me just long
enough. Why should turn over my
hard-earned money to you? What you
don't spend on drink you spend on
that woman. It's not as if"
Here the orchestra started up, and
the rest was lost.
Dear, look at that couple back of
u.s. whispered Helen. leaning forward
tensely. Tell me what they're like. "
Man looks like bounder. See 'em
/ in the glass, cant you?"
I A swift glance at the mirrored wall: :
yes, she could see them both. The
man was about thirty, fastidiously
groomed, with coarsely handsome.
wine-flushed face, prominent black
eyes and Roman nose.
The woman sat with her back to
Helen, their chairs almost touching.
She was much older. thirty-five or
forty, and rather stout. but she was
carefully made up and extensively and
youthfully gowned. They we're drink
ing Rhine wine, and they both had had
too much.
What's the point?" asked Warren
cynically, as Helens gaze did not
leave the mirror. Friends of yours?"
"Oh, suppose l shouldn't have lis
tened, but l couldn't help hearing.
They're quarreling, and she said she
was tired of supporting him. Dear,
DO women really do that? How can
a man take money from woman?"
That's not a man." with con-
temptuous snort. That's only one of
these pinheaded skates who hang
around Broadway"
The orchestra had stopped now, and
above the buzz of voices Helen caught
the woman's excited:
Sure I'm sore! / got right to
be sore. And 1t ain'st just the money.
it's all the lies you've told me-that's
what makes me SORE"
Again the mans muffled retort,
which Helen could not hear. But she
could see his insolent shrug and sheer
ing defiance. He was leaning back, a
cigar in his mouth, his hands in his
pockets.
Suddenly, in the mirror. his eyes
: met Helen's, and held them with a
bold, insolent stare. She turned away,
! the blood leaping to her face.
Want anything else?" asked War
rem, taking up the dinner card.
Mono. it's so close in here" feel
ing that the mans gaze was still upon
her. Lets get out into the fresh air"
What had he thought? Was he
! presumptous enough to mistake her
glance for admiration? Studiously she
kept her eyes from the mirror while
Warren paid the check. But as the
J waiter helped her on with her wrap,
she saw by swift side glance that
the man was still watching her.
Whats the hurry" demanded War
rem as she pushed past him in her
! eagerness to escape from that insist
! ent gaze.
"Oh, my hairs every way. I'm 60
ing In here" turning toward cur
tanned doorway, while he got his coat
from the check boy.
Even In the dressing room Helen
could not through off the unpleasant i'm
preston of the mans presumptuous
stare. Her face still burned as she
nervously smoothed her hair.
The door swung open. There was a
Whit of heavy lilac perfume. Helen
caught her breath-it was the woman
who had sat behind them.
Without glance at Helen, she drop
ped into chair before one of the
dressing tables and proceeded to take
powder rag from her stocking.
Under the glaring shadeless light
she looked much older, and showed
the effects of the wine much more
than in the restaurant.
where's that maid? Amt there no
powder round this placer"
81 haven't seen any maid, but I can
give you some powder" offered Helen.
That's enough. Thanks I'm all In