The Ordway new era., 1917-08-24

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"If you didn't think you'd like it
why didn't you say so?" asked Carrie,
sharply, detaching large Lynnhaven
from Its shell. "You needn't make us
all uncomfortable by complaining
about 1t now."
IAN opinion Of public restaurant
shouldn't make anyone uncomforta-
ble," retorted Helen stiffly. Its GER
tainly nothing personal"
Eyes, that's a good location, but it's
only twenty-foot lot-and they can't
protect the light" The men were talk
Ing real estate.
II simply loathe a noisy, bangy or
chestra when 1 eat" went on Carrie
with aggravating persistency. "To me
this is much more restful.'
Helen refraIned from continuing the
argument. Somehow Carrie always
succeeded in irritating her. They
could never be together without clash
ing.
AS the dinner progressed, she took
refuge in silence. 1t was useless to
try to talk with this feeling Of antag-
onism between them. The more she
brooded over the probable cost of the
dinner, the more she resented Carries
incOnsiderate, extravagant ordering.
Lets see that card again." Warren
motioned to the waiter. Look over
the desserts there, Carrie"
"Why. dear, It's almost eight now,"
broke In Helen. "Will we have time
for dessert?"
"We're not ten minutes from the
station" remarked Carrie coldly,
twirling her last stalk of asparagus In
the rich Hollandaise.
"Oh, then you may have time" hast
lily, fearing Carrie had OWNED her
real motive.
"I'll have pineapple mousse and cof-
fee," calmly.
mo. don't care for anything more"
Helen pushed back the card the walt
er proffered her.
Nothing more" Lawrence, too,
waved it aside.
"Why. don't you want some cheese"
insisted Carrie. "You know you like
Camembert.''
"Sure, two Camamberts," Warren
gave the order. "And we'll all have
coffee"
If Carrie was not well, her appe-
tite did not betrny it. She was thor
oughly enjoying this expensive dinner
for which Lawrence did not have to
pay.
When the waiter finally laid the
check ut Warren's elbow, in a swift
furtive glance Helen caught the omin-
Gus total-S11.65. Then with studi-
ously averted eyes she drew on her
gloves. An la carte meal always
ran into alarming figures-but S1165
for that dinner was exorbitant.
"Only ten Of" announced Carrie, tri-
umphantly nibbling pink mint served
with the finger bowls. Il told you we
had plenty of time"
Outside, as they waited for street
car, Lawrence asked cordially:
"Now. when are you folks coming
out? How about Sunday afternoon?"
"Tm afraid we can't make it this
month";" regretted Warren.
"well, Carrie has to come in next
week for a fitting. Friday, isn't 1t?
Why can't you dine with US then?"
| "Oh, you must" urged Carrie. "The
Craigs told us about the dearest little
Italian place that I'm wild to try. You
sit out in the backyard hung with
Japanese lanterns. It's bit Of real
bohemia"
"Yes, we know Of several Of these
backyard table d'hotes," remarked
Helen icily.
"But this Is new one. They've
just opened up this season. It's way
down near Washington square-Tve
forgotten the number. Now be sure
to keep Friday open," as they started
for the car. "We'd love to have you
go with u.s."
"well, they seemed to enjoy It." War
ren turned to buy paper at the cor
ner newsstand.
Helen was struggling to keep back
the sarcastic comments. Any remarks
on the expense of the dinner would
only irritate him to scathing denun-
clation of her penuriousness.
$50 we're going with them to a
cheap table d'hote next Fridayw This
thrust she could not resist. "Thats
what suggested-but you said Carrie
disliked them"
"Oh, they're all right once in q
while, but l don't think she'd have en-
joyed 1t tonight" with entire uncon'
sciousness.
mo, probably not-since they
weren't paying the bill," under hel
breath.
"How's thatT' angrily. snow see
here; cut that line Of talk, Lawrencs
always keeps up his end. He's gen
erous to fault"
II don't know about Lawrence-bu,
Carries certainly not overburdenet
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