The Knoxville independent. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1894-current, 1917-11-03

chair.
"Dear. it's the most uncomfortable
room--no place to put anything And
only one side window! It'll be SO
stuffy we can't Sleep" thinking of the
Carson's room with the two front win
dows.
"Well, it's only for one night.
Where'd you prt my collars?"
Fright here-Fve given you this
drawer. Dear, WIZ at're we going to do
after dinner?"
"Oh, bum along the boardwalk-and
finish up at some calarEt."
"Do we have to have supper?
You'll have to pay for 1t, if we do"
snow see here" trately, II told
you"
"Oh, know, but I can't help it. 1t
isn't fair! 1t makes me furious to see
them impose upon you. That's why
they were so eager to come with us.
They know you always pay for every
thing"
"How about the time they took us to
dinner and show afterward"
"We've had them to the house twice
since them"
"Huh, grudging people what you give
'em in your own home, Ell" jerking
on his dress shirt with a disdainful
snort. =
warren. you know love to enter
tain. And when we go on a trip,
want to do our share-and more! But
it makes me wild to see"
snow that's enough! Drop 1t, I tell
you! Where's brush? Here's some
of your internal powder on my coat"
Helen brushed the white smear off
the sleeve with repentant:
"Dear, I'm horrid, know. After all
it's your money-Tll try not to say
another word while we're here"
"Oh, Carson's the right Sort" thrust
ing into his pockets the change and
keys from his other suit. "Men are a
whole lot more particular about keep
ing up their end than women-but they
don't talk so alfred much about it.
And they don't split over every five
cent piece. Ready? Knock on that
door and see If they've gone down."
AS Helen turned to the connecting
door she stopped petrified. III stood
ajar- almost an inch. Drawing nearer.
she heard distinctly Mrs. Carson's
voice. lowered to a cautious whisper.
For moment she stood dazed. War
rem was waiting out in the hail. impa-
tiently twirling the jangling key.
He had not noticed the open door.
and just then she had not the courage
to tell him. Switching off the lights,
she joined him with nervous Lets
not hurry them. They'll come on down
as soon as they're ready"
Downstairs the Well-dressed crowd
of popular resort hotel filed the
lounge and lobby. Beyond was vista
Of the long dining room with the white
linen and glowing table lights.
"Well wait for them out here"
Warren strolled over to the news
stand.
How much had they heard, Helen
was asking herself in angulshed sus-
pense. Knowing the walls were thin,
she had not talked loud, but with the
door ajar, if they were listening, they
could hear every word. What would
they say or do? The situation was in
tolerable.
"It's ten after" she suggested nerv-
ously. Perhaps we'd better go in.
They might feel more comfortable IL
we don't wait"
"Oh. no. they'll be along in min
ute. Here they are now" a
One glance at Mrs. Carson and
Helen's heart beat sickenly. They had
heard!
"Ready for the eatsT' Warren fold
ed up his paper in genial unconscious
ness.
"Just minute" Mr.. Carson's face
Redeemed as he drew out his wallet.
Let's square up our accounts, Curtis,
before we go in. The parlor car seats
were So and luncheon $4.30-that
right? That makes $3.50, not count
ing the tips. Four dollars will about
cover our half"
"Why, what does this mean?"
spluttered Warren.
II was going to settle up to night,
but Mrs. Carson wants to do 1t now
before we-before we so any further"
he finished lamely.
For one long, embarrassed moment
Warren stood fumbling. the bills. Then
he blurted out q protesting:
"See here, Carson, we're not going to
spoil our trip by any misunderstand-
ing. You ought to-"
Hadn't we better 60 In to dinner?"
interrupted Mrs. Carson, frigldly. II
think we're rather late as. it is"
For moment, Warren stood uncer-
tain, then helplessly thrust the bills in
his vest pocket.
"This is your doings!" between hts
gritted teeth as they followed the stiff
ly aloof Carsons into the dining room.
"Oh, they'll hear you," whispered
Helen In wretched entreaty.
"What If they do? They've heard
every blamed word you've said! I'd
like to get out of here by the next