Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1919-03-26
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who promenaded up and down OF sat
about. some waiting with good grace
to,. tbeir chance to find a disengaged
table in one Of the dining'rooms WINE
o,hers outwardly rebellious, expressed
their candid opinion of Washington IN
wartime. Suddenly the frenchmah
al, of nolite Indifference changed 10
one of alertness as man pusheu I''s
vay through the throng and stopped
near The door Of the Palm Room Inc
,,,a;tre 5,botel was at his elbow instant
ly.
"Ab. Monsieur Burnhsm. welcome
most welcome" he said. have 9ou
had q nice summarize:
.eHenri." Peter Burnham surrender
ed his hat and cane to a waiting at
fandant, THE summer has been So
so,p he added, turning back to the
Frenchman. "t am waiting for MI
James Palmer; have you seen him TINS
evening""
"But YES" The maitre d'hotel worm
"a his way into the Palm Room and
3 beclxoned to Burnham 10 follow
.sThere, in that corner across the
room: this way" and he darted among
the tables and the palms, Burnham
following closely, until he reached
ANAL table set for two persons, and
pu,Ied out the unoccupied chair.
Palmer looked up from the menu
he was studying and greeted Burn
ham with warmth.
..EIaye a Martini" he inquired as
their waiter hurried up and the maitre
d.hotel went back to his post in the
doorway.
Eyes, and make 1t dry" cautioned
Burnham to the waiter. And hurry
It along. I am worn out he added
to his host.
Palmer glanced at him in concern.
sYou don't look very fit he admitted.
~EIad a bad trip down.
"Devilish! Our train was side-track-
"a for hours waiting to let troop trains
pass; nothing to eat Burnham
paused to empty his glass Of ice water.
.At our rate Of progress l was willing
TO believe we'd gone back to stage
coach days, but Washington is an
eye-opener: had no idea this place
swarmed with people
'.Washington's sleepy hollow has
had a rude awakening" remarked Pal
mer cynically. II don't mind con
Tossing I am weary Of seeing conse-
quential looking people dash about
washington with an air Of having ar
rived just in time to save the nation.
Washington was on the map before
Uncle Sam started on this war-path."
Burnham laughed. "I confess I
share your outraged feelings; had to
wait interminably at the Union Sta
ton before I could telephone YOU"
He stopped to take the cocktail at
that instant placed before him. Here's
howl"
His host raised his glass in ac-
acknowledgement and slipped his Martini
with due enjoyment.
"Better have another" he suggested
rs Burnham set down his empty glass,
against the time Washington goes
dry"
"I've stocked up my wine cellar with
that view" admitted Burnham and
stopped to watch some newcomers who
had taken possession Of the nearest
table. II suppose I can get a room
K here for the night in case find the
servants haven't arrived to open our
house"
my dear Burnham!" Palmer looked
actually shocked. Empty rooms are
unheard of In Washington"
ssHow about club chambers"
"Nothing doing; they are even sleep
ing in the bathtubs there" laughed
Palmer, and stopped speaking as the
orchestra in the mezzanine gallery
conimenced to play and, dinner arriv'
ing at that instant, the two men
except for monosyllabic remarks now
ana then, completed the meal in 81
lence. AS Burnham took one OF the
cigars proffered him he pushed aside
his dessert plate, planted his elbows
on the table, and leaned forward.
IT can't understand why people want
an orchestra playing while they eat
he rrumbled. II don't enjoy having
Ia about when talk"
well, i suggested dining at the
club"
II know, know; but forgot abou'
the beastly orchestra" he paused te
puR abstractediy at his cigar.
.What's the trouble. Burnham?'
x.ked Palmer quickly. rs your wifi
3 nl7p
ssNo. no; its" He bent nearel
his companion, then paused to shoe
= glance over his shoulder and hi
eonfSdences remained unspoken. "Jove
xelyn!" he calculated. "She WASH
6ue here until tomorrow"
Palmer, but half catching his re
+ mark, followed his gaze, and saw Eve
Iya Preston and her friend, MariaI
( VAN Ness, just taking their seats at
<ah,s some distance away. Falme
l 1uehed back his ci.air preparatory 4
'Hless my soul, Burnham." he eA
.<ra1d iinpulsively. why didn't yo'
~ - Evelyn was with you? w
"a ha}s waited diansr for her an