Middletown transcript., 1917-09-15


n pet and silken
bed quilts-even
for this ultrasmart Philadelphia hotel
the furnishings were most expensive.
On a low table between the twin
beds stood a lace-shaded light, tele-
phone and a brass plate with the
electric call buttons, "Chambermaid,"
"Valet," "Waiter."
Dear, you don't have to phone down
for service" as Warren, in pink-striped
pajamas, came out of the bath. Did
you notice these buttons?'
II noticed those new-fangled fau-
cets," irritably. "Don't know yet how
the blamed things work"
"Why, they just push back. Didn't
we have those in that hotel in Mon
treal? But we've never had a room
like this" Then, anxiously: "Do you
suppose he made a mistake about
that rate? This must be more than
five dollars a day."
'That's what I asked for" with a
shrug. "Don't know what he gave
me- Well, we're pretty comfortable
guess we can stand for the price.
One night won't break u.s."
"We'd be just as comfortable in a
simpler room, and you know the res
taurant here will be high. 1 don't
suppose they'll have club breakfast"
Then, after a moments silence, "Oh,
Warren, could he have thought you
meant five dollars each?"
"Now for heavens sake don't start
worrying about that. How do you
want these windows"
Opening all three of the long
French windows, Warren gulped a
glass of ice water and thrust his
watch and wallet under the pillow.
"Hello, that's a new wheeze," no.
ticing a silk-tasseled rope that hung
against the wall between the beds.
"What the deuce is that for?"
"Oh, don't dear!" as he started to
pull it. ut may be for fire."
But an experimental jerk flashed
off all the lights except the one on
the bedside table.
"Huh, the next thing We'll be turn
ing on the bath in bed-with cute lit
tie bell to tell when it's full"
In the now darkened room Helen
lay gazing out at the cornice Of tow
ering building across the street. The
hurried excitement Of the unexpected
trip had left her nervously sleepless.
At noon Warren had phoned to ask
If she wanted to go with him to Phila-
delphia. He was going over on the
five o'clock train, In the hope Of catch
ing Mr.. Clawson at his office the first
thing in the morning.
Helen knew vaguely that Mr.. Claw
son was a most elusive capitalist, very
difficult to get at, but whom Warren
had succeeded in Interesting in a pa
per mill controlled by one of his
clients.
DEAR if you can't get him at his
Office" her voice vibrated the black
stiffness, won't you try to see him at
his homer?
No answer. Warren was sound
asleep.
With feminine pessimism, Helen an
ticlpated every possible obstacle. Mr.
Clawson might be i'll, or out OF town,
or too busy to see anyone. But War
rem had positively refused to write or
wire, for an aversion to making ap-
pointments was one Of Mr.. Clawson's
many peculiarities.
The expenses Of a possibly fruitless
trip loomed ominously before her.
Their recent weekend at Atlantic City
had cost over seventy dollars, and now
even a day and night in Philadelphia
would run into extravagant figures,
They had left q call for 1870, and
after restless night Helen was
awakened by the shrilling telephone.
It was a dark, misty morning, with
a sooty, smoky smell of downtown"
city streets in the air. Closing the
windows, she switched on the lights
to dispel the gray gloom.
A plunge in the quickly filed tub.
and she was through with the bath
before Warren was fairly awake.
Dear, do hurry! You say he's at
his office before nine"
"WeI, I'm not going to break my
neck" yawningly tousling his hair.
Then a few moments later from the
bathroom, "Where's my shaving
brush?"
isn't 1t there? put all your shay
Ing things on that glass shelf"
mo brush here"
A f1ustered search through the suit
case failed to reveal the brush.
Cant you shave without it? I'm
afraid I didn't put 1t in"
"Huh," in disguised comment, 'T'll
have to get shaved downstairs"
"Oh, that'n take so long" anx-
iously. "Its quarter of eight now"
"Thats all right, I'll keep tab on
the time. Here, how d'you get the
water out of this blooming basin?"
By eight o'clock Warren was
dressed and ready to go down.
'IIl get a shave and meet you in
the breakfast room in twenty min
utes. Know where it Is, don't you?
To the left of the elevator"
Apparently most of the guests took
breakfast in their rooms, for when
Helen entered the white and gold,
marble-columned restaurant, only
few tables were occupied.
mo, I'll not order" as the head
xx,,;+or coated her. I'm waiting for
my husband"
There was no club breakfast, but
after prolonged study Of the menu