The Washington herald., 1917-10-01

ladened porter edged ahead through
the red-plushed aisle.
-Four" directed Warren, glancing
at his Pullman ticket.
Ten. eight, six-Helen glimpsed the
top of a smart, black-winged hat in
section four.
Depositing their bags in the aisle.
the porter consulted Warren's ticket.
Sorry, ma'am, but 1 reckon you's in
the wrong section. This gentleman's
got number four"
Though Helen could not see the
womans face, she saw her open an
expensive gold-mounted handbag and
produce her ticket.
II beg pardon, but probably you
have section four in another car,
suggested Warren.
"Oh, no, this is my section" her
voice haughtily assertive.
Eyes, sab, it's this car all right"
puzzled the porter. There's some
mistake-I'll get the conductor"
As the white-coated darky disap-
peared, Warren glanced around for
vacant seat, but all were occupied
with passengers or baggage. lndifter-
ent to their discomfort as they waited
In the aisle. the woman calmly re-
sumed her magazine, not offering to
remove her two large bags from The
seat opposite.
There's some mistake here" an
nounced Warren brusquely when the
conductor appeared. Il reserved this
section yesterday"
'If there's any mistake. It's In the
gentleman's ticket" her tone was
combative. Il have this section"
While the conductor compared the
tickets, the woman fairly radiated
antagonism. Even the wings on the
smart black hat had an assertive tilt.
She was faultlessly groomed, mar
ceIled and manicured. The point OF
her high collar almost touched the
pearls in her ears. Her black broad
cloth suit was perfectly tailored, and
a sable scarf lay beside her bags.
I'm sorry to cause you any incon-
venience," observed Warren, sriV-
ing to be courteous.
Not at ALL" coldly. I'm afraid
it's you who'll be inconvenienced."
The tickets were identical-both for
Section 4, Car q. The agent had
made an inexcusable blunder. How
ever, the serial numbers gave War
rem priority, as his ticket was 1862 B
and the other 1859 B.
To complicate matters there were
no vacant sections. The train carried
four sleepers but the only vacancy
was a lower berth in section seven.
The conductor finally suggested
that since the gentleman's ticket was
undoubtedly bought first, the matter
could be best adjusted by the lady
taking the berth in section seven, and
- IL N
the amount she had paid.
To this the woman arrogantly re-
torted that she could not sleep with
anyone over her. That was why she
had bought an entire section-which
she intended to keep.
The conductor turned helplessly to
Warren. With apologetic reluctance
he suggested their occupying the
lower berth in section seven.
You can't expect Mrs. Curtis and
myself to crowd into one berth when
my ticket shows first claim on this
section. Why don't you wire back?'
sharply. LET them straishten 1t out
its their blunder."
IT'S too late-the general offices
close at s. Then hesitatlngly,
"There're a couple OF sections in the
car ahead reserved from Albany.
There's just a chance that one of
those won't be taken. Well be there
at 1852. II YOU don't mind waiting In
the observation car"
Very we'll. You take care OF those
bags"
1t was not until they were seated
in the low camp chairs on the obser-
walton platform that Helen voiced her
smoldering indignation.
What insolence! To expect us TO
sleep in one berth-just because she
doesn't want any one over her"
That's not the point. II it's nor
section-she ought to have It, even
II we have to sit UP all night in .ae
day coach. But it was sold TO me
first-the ticket numbers prove that"
She's determined not to give 1t up
and she's completely awed that con-
ductor. You can see he's afraid of
her"
That's all right, haven't opened
up yet" grimly Don't you worry
I'll put the rollers under her."
But dear. she's a woman" reluct-
antly. You can't force her outw
Il can't. eh? Well, II they don't
fix US up at Albany. and she refuses
to give up that section-youn see
fireworks"
Helen was filled with misgivings
Convinced that he was right. Warren
would go to any extreme. She al
most wished she had urged him to
take the single berth-anythinS to
avoid a scene. That woman would
not yield easily. Her arrogance and
cool assurance made Helen dread the
outcome of clash.
After the warmth of the car the
night air struck damply chill. The
signal lights cleaned red and green
along the black road that led back
like an endless narrowing ladder.
Warren, his feet on another camp
chair. smoked In stolid silence. A cigar
always assuaged his ruffled temper,
but Helen had no such solace.
A train flashed by. cutting the air
with a shrek. A hot breath from
the engine, a CLINT of lighted windows,
chair cars and diner, and It shot on
with meteoric speed.
What's the matter? Cinder?"
Helen nodded, her handkerchief
pressed to her eye.
Don't rub it! Raise UP the i'd and
draw 1t down"
81 can't" after several futile ef-
forts. I'll try to bathe 1t out"
Warren held open the screen door,
and she hurried back to the dressing
room. Intent on ejecting the painful
cinder Helen did not at first recognize
the other occupant of the curtained
space. 1t was the usurper of their
section arranging the net aver her