The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1919-02-09

The rain was coming down in sheets
and the wind almost tore the umbrel
la from Helen's hands
'Oh, this is dreadful as she stepped
in a swirling puddle. splashing the
water up over her shoes. 4 suppose
we should have taken a taxi
IF it only doesn't spot this suit !"
complinaed Louise. holding her cling
ing skirt above her ankles.
They mad reached the corner now
but there was no car in sight.
Lets stand under ere running to
a sheltered doorway. oh. | hope it
won't hurt your sun apolegttically.
a Louise resently shook her wet
skirt.
1t seemed fully ten minutes before a
car appeared an embarra ssing ten
minutes for Helen, who felt respon-
sible for this drencling for she had
stopped by TO ask Louise for dinner
as Warren had phoned he could not
be home and she hated TO dine alone.
Louise Carson. who lived at "wo
mans hotel" always welcomed a din
ner invitation-eyen one that came At
the last moment.
But as they left thu hotel together,
the rain that had threatened all day
began in earnest. Prrfanct lry Helen
suggested TAXI, but with much evil
dent reluctance Louise mnrmured a
polite mo, we can just as we'll take i
car"
Before they reached the car line the
rain was running down III torrents
I'm afr1:d is crowded Exclaimed
Helen, as they now ran out to signal
the approaching car.
The mo,3rn!an ignoring their signals
drove on by without stopping, the car
wheels spashing them with water from
the rain filled tracks.
'Oh. that makes me furious.
Wen, there's no use standing out
here" and Louise started back to the
doorway.
The next car was just as crowded,
but the motorman :ondescended TO
stop, and they squeezed through the
wet, ill-smelling crowd
Eve shouldn't have taken this,
complained Louise GROSSLY, for to be
crushed against wet overcoats ana
dripping umbrellas VAS more damag-
ing to their clothes and temper than
standing in the rain.
When they left the car they had TO
step out into a pool of water and al
most wade across the street.
"Oh. this is awful" said Helen.
Why didn't I get a taxi?"
Yes, a taxi would be cheaper than
running our clothes. admitted Louise
now plainly out OF
humor.
There was a sudden laundering
crash, a streak of lghtning-then
sheet of rain.
Helens thin silk umbrella was not
proof against the downpour, and she
felt the water trickling down through
it She felt. too. the steady stream
which poured from a point of Louises
umbrella over her shoulder, but by
this time she was too wet and too des-
perate to care.
Silently. resentfullv, miserably. they
splashed through this torrent. The
streets We're deserted. Everyone ex-
cept themselves had sought shelter
Getting a little damp, girls?' call
ed a solitary man, who ran by with
lowered umbrella
But Helen was too wretched too
feel indignant At length the two
globe lights before the apartment
shone in a yellowish blur through the
rain. The elevator boy. looked mildly
astonished as they entered, drenched
and dripping.
"Oh, don't lets look at ourselves,
pleaded Helen, as she caught a glimpse
Of her bedraggled hat and stringing
lair in the elevator mirror
The feather on Louise's hat was re-
luced to a detected wisp and her blue
cloth suit was soaking to the knees.
Nora opened the door for them with
cry of dismay.
Put these umbrellas in the bath
ub. Nora, and don't $. rye dinner I'M
il quarter after. We've got to get out
If these things"
Helen led the way TO her dressing