The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1919-03-29

WeSL-
Most men are" was the an
swer spoken somewhat boisterously.
ct mean a bit added to the average
said Lauderdale. I've found place
in Soho where they give you an ex-
cellent dinner at a ridiculous price,
where you can rub shoulders with
genius as yet unrecognized. and look
at beauty. the real thing, not the kind
that must wear an expensive frock to
get it into the beauty class at ali.
VIII you dine there with me tonight
TT sounds attractive" West said.
Paris without the trouble of crossing
the channel. Meet me at the Criterion,
that Will be handy for you. Seven
O'clock"
Right"
They had met in Whitehall. Lauder
da'e was in the War-Oflce, and was
returning from lunch; West had just
left that building and was not in the
best Of tempers. Of1cialdom had he
come annoyed that re had not per
formed a miracle. A night off wopIG
do him good.
The place in Soho called itself lie
Chen Rouge. and was not quite uo
to Lauderdale's eulogy. The genius
was CT the long haired and rather d.
lapidated sort and might never receive
recognition nor deserve it. while the
beauty was little vulgar and unre-
served Other men had discovered the
place as well as Lauderdale, and had
found H. a very good start to an eve
niag's frolic. Certainly the dinner was
excellent, the entertainers above the
average, and the sense OF relaxation
was rather pleasant.
ut will soon be spoiled" said Lau-
derdale; but at present like it. And
it Is pHther amusing to speculate what
the history of some of these people
is"
Mos. Of them would be delighted to
cell you il you asked. I fancy" said
West. Not the truth. perhaps, but
something, probably, with a romantic
note IN It"
II dare say; but I should back my
imagination. Genius often travels a
sordld read. and beauty, well, the way
is fairly thorny for beauty as a rule"
Didn't know you were a philoso-
pher, Lauderdale."
Live and learn. my dear chap. Now
that girl at the table in the corner
yondor, what's her history"
by the way she has been watching
us I should say she would willingly
change her place ct the present mo-
ment"
Fed up with her present company,
en- 1 don't wonder; still. I don't feel
like that sort of entertainment this
evening, do your"
Not a bit. I seldom do
I'VE are birds Of a feather. West. l
like to watch the passing show and
keep aloof from the crowd This is
the kind OF place to meet some Of the
beggars you are always after"
You've been reading sensational
fiction, Lauderdale."
Not !. Life is quite sensational
enough without that. We are full of
It at the War ONCE occasionally. We
are at the present moment. There is
a rumor going about that some plans
OF a uick-firing gun have disappear
ed. Heard anything about it?"
He had lowered his voice, but West
glanced quickly round him.
Not quite the place to talk about it.
10 it,"
NO, I suppose not; but my word
West. you give yourself away. 1t is
evidently not only in fiction that such
places as this are of interest to hunters
Of your game"
They fingered over their coffee and
liquors. talking art. which was Lau-
derdales hobby The girl from the
table in the corner smiled at them as
she passed out with her companions
The room was emptying.
Il was speaking of prints just now.
said Lauderdale. IF you are not keen
on going to a show. what do you say
some prints of mine. I have got a
quiet little hole over a shop of Oxford
street. It is really rather jolly. and
suits my pocket"
Certainly I'll come. Theaters and
music-halls are of just now. I have
been having a round of them"
They helped each other on with theil
overcoats in the vestibule-Le Chen
Rouge was deficient in service of this
kind-and. going out, hailed a passing
taxi
I-auderdale's hole of Oxford street
was coy enough but somewhat biz
ARE. The shop below sold second
! hand furniture, and his sitting-room
suggested that some OF the pieces for
sale had been stored here. There was
! no scheme or arrangement worth men,
| tioning. The walls were covered with
prints, mostly bad ones. West thought
but he was not quite certain enough
OF his knowledge to stop his compan
ions enthusiasm.
"A drink won't hurt US" said Iau-