The Washington herald., 1917-11-26

"A swimming dinner" ridiculed
Warren. ''What're we going to do?
Eat in our bathing suits?"
"of course not" resented Helen.
'Fwe'u have an hours swim hrst.
Dinner isn't until eight"
is It q decent pool7''
'wonderful-over sixty feet longi
Mrs. Arnold took me down the day
called. It's the only apartment house
in New York with q swimming pool"
Another block along the parkway.
and through the darkness ahead
glowed the Hght-studded facade. The
door held open by q naughty, maroon
liveried attendant, they crossed a
marbled. circular foyer to the ele-
vatorA
The Arnolds' apartment on the sixth
floor, with its profusion of pictures,
tapestries. and candelabra lights, af-
fected a studio atmosphere. Even
Mrs. Arnold's velvet robe was of
the semi-Grecian. artistic type.
Warren was ushered into Mr.. Ar
nold's dressing room, and Helen fol-
lowed Mrs. Arnold into her rose-satin
room, where two bathing suits werV
laid out on the lace-covered bed.
That's the smallest. II it's too big.
you can pin up the shoulders. Here're
some caps. Those skull caps are
ugly-but they keep the hair dry"
IF we undress up here, how do we
get down to the pool?'' asked Helen.
"Oh. we go down the service ele-
vator. I'll give you q longcoat."
A few moments later Helen emerged
from the bathroom, feeling painfully
conspicuous in the one-piece, black
Jersey suit. The skull cap proved too
trying and she chose q more becom-
ing one, dark red with a softening
friII.
MY slippers'n be a mile too big
for you-but maybe you can keep
them on" Mrs. Arnold was adjust
ing a tight black cap over her wavy
blonde hair. DO you want those
water wings? II you can't swim
they're really a help"
A couple OF linen busters COM
pleting their outfit, they Joined War
rem and Mr.. Arnold in the library.
The men. their abbreviated bathing
suits only partly concealed by loosely
belted bath robes, presented rather
startling figures as they sat smoking.
DdEo lckb CIOScCu lcGL
thrust into heelless slippers.
A laughing, grotesque crowd. they
waited in the hall for the elevator.
In the basement Mr.. Arnold led the
way past the throbbing engine-room,
and through a narrow corridor which
opened into the huge, white-tiled
room.
"Jove, this is great!"' commended
WA gfIrVaVin@ the dnan afrnlran
pool
"Yes, isn't itr' glowed Mrs. Arnold.
II come down every day"
THE waters lovely and clear"
Helen. walking along the marbled
ledge. peered down into the blue-green
depths.
Mr.. Arnold. stout and flabby, climb
ed down the side. He swan the length
Of the pool and back, but still Warren
stood on the ledge with folded arms.
Come on in, Curtis. None of US can
swim WELL" mistaking Warren's hesi-
tation.
"oh. I was Just watching the over
now. That's a clever stunt"
Throwing of his bathrobe, he ran
out on the diving board at the deeper
end. A swift plunge, a showering
splash. and the water closed over
him when he reappeared he was half
way down the pool. With a glow Of
pride Helen watched his strong, easy
stroke.
He does swim we'll" admitted
Mrs. Arnold. for the comparison with
her husbands rather clumsy efforts
was unavoidable. "'wnl doesn't take
enough exerclse-he gets out of breath.
Come, shall we 70 imp
oh, I can't swim at ALL" demur-
red Helen. II told you that. You
go on-rn Just paddle along at the
Though Mrs. Arnold could swim
better than her husband. she was no
match for Warren's athletic prowess.
"What're you loafing up there for7"
he called to Helen.
''Is the water cold?" shrinkineiy.
with the aid OF the brass rail and tiled
footholds. she climbed down to the
waters edge. why, it's freezinep'
testing 1t with one timorous foot.
Jump in!" scoffed Warren. Don't
stand there shivering."
you don't feel It when you're in"
urged Mrs Arnold. floating grace,
But Helen. not having the courage
for the plunge, chose the most tor
tuous way. Holding to the ran, inch
by inch she stepped down, the water
slowly claiming her with its icy chill
Here, that's no way to get in,"
with q swift overland stroke Warren
was making toward her.
oh, dear, don't-don't touch mer'
panic-stricken.
Unheeding her pleading. with one
arm he plueked on her cllngiug black