The Washington herald., 1917-10-08

Hotel Walton" ordered Warren,
as he bundled Helen and their bags
into the first taxi
JoltinE over the cobble-stones of
the shabby streets surrounding the
station, Helen leaned back too tired
to feel her usual thrilled interest
in an unfamiliar city.
Dear. you saw about the trunk?
They'll send it right up?"
Doubt IL well get it tonight"
shrugged Warren indifferently
Not tonight" excItedly. why,
we must have it! We can't do
without itr'
Why can't we?" brusquely. Got
our bags"
But L didn't pack to do without
it. I asked you twice-and you
said positively we'd have the trunk
tonight"
Then said wrong" with rising
irritation Didn't know that blamed
train would be two hours late. Now
for heavens sake don't set up a
howl about the trunk. Jove, you're
rotten traveler-always whining
about something"
In hurt withdrawal Helen gazed
out at the small. dimly-lit shops.
The two hours delay had increased
the discomfort of a long, wearing
Tip; and warren was venting his
ill-humor in caustic remarks,
Tired and irritable herself, she
was doubly sensitive. He was never
considerate of her comfort, she re-
hected bitterly. And somehow his
selhshness seemed always more
pronounced when they Travelled.
A sharp turn. and they were in a
broad, well-lighted thoroughfare. Hell
en-, in aggrieved silence, gazed stead
lily out the window.
Now what's the matter! SuIking
about that trunk? Oh, all right, I'll
have the porter send for it special
for peace" angrily finging
open the cab door as they drew up be-
fore the portal lights of the hotel.
In the tan-marbled, brown-leather-
ed lobby. Helen dropped into the first
vacant seat while Warren registered.
and then strobe scowlingly back to
interview the head porter.
We'll. you get your trunk tonight"
belligerently, when he Joined her.
Now 1 hope you're satisfied" Then
to the bell boy, waiting with the bags,
Take those on up to the room-we1l
be up later. What's the number?
5i3?"
why. aren't we going up nowr
demurred Helen.
What for? Be an hour before we
get that trunk. Might as well go out
and have a look around"
Helen, achingly tired, recoIled from
further exertion, but a foolish pride
kept her from admitting It. He had
just said she was a wretched traveller.
haf hn a. o. fnfnp AT
least she would not complain now.
She would not admit that her head
ached, her feet ached. and that she
longed to get out Of her clothes. In
stead she rose with forced acQuiesence.
Outside. Warren swung ahead with
long easy strides. His athletic mus
cles seemed eager for exercise after
their cramped confinement on the
train. His keen interest in exploring
the town soon dispelled his irritation.
"Six years since / was here-lots
Of changes along this street. There's
the Grand; used to be a good old
run down now. Jove,
that's a shame! That was the best
theater here" passing before a door |
gay plastered with cheap sensational
movie posters. Guess the better |
class of business has moved farther |
m. Nothing else down this way
looks about ready for the shooting |
galleries"
To Helen every step was an effort. |
All day her feet had been near the |
team pipes that ran under the seats |
n the superheated Pullman. and now |
,hey seemed painfully swollen In the |
bIgh-laced patent-vamped shoes.
Lets explore this street-looks |
Iivelier up there. That's sood look |
ing restaurant-might try that tomor- |
row. Why, there's the Wellington