San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1925-12-06

N Warren planted the two suit
cases on a bench. "I'll see what a
little coin'll pry loose"
Anxiously Helen gazed after him
as he swung down the long plat
form to the wagons-hts end Of the
train.
Could he get a sleeperr Or would
they have to sit up all night?
From Paris the compartments
were always booked days ahead. But
for a lavish-tipping American, the
conductor could often find q reser-
walton "just released"
Yet they were taking q chance.
Once from Paris to Vienna they had
been forced to sit up all night. The
discomfort Of that trip still lin
gered!
Broodingly Helen viewed the dirt
and confusion Of the great dimly-
lit station. The rumble Of luggage
trucks, shuttle Of feet, and excitable
chatter. No language 20 shrilly con-
tentious as French!
Riotous ads of liqueurs and cigar
cites placarded the dingy walls. Par
isian magazines and postcards
blazcd the cluttered newsstand.
A refreshment wagon, tiers of du-
bious delicacies, rolled down the
platform.
A pushcart with pillows and blan-
kets for rent. Those grimy blan-
kets! Yet the pile dwindled fast
as the cart trundled along by the
second-class carriages.
A NEW WHEEZE.
Warren stalking back through the
crowd! Had he been successful?
Nothing doing in sleeper!" he
took up their bags. willing to be
corrupted-but full up. But he slip
ped us a new wheeze-a couchette."
"a couchette?" running to keep
up with his long strides. What's
that?'
'Darned If / know. Couldn't
speak English, but my guess is
cross between a sleeper and a day
compartment. Anyway, we've got it
to ourselves"
"Then we can at least have the
window OPEN" stepping aside for
baggage truck. Dear, how much
was itY7 And what did you have to
tip him."
"Now, never mind that" with IL
nality. what we wants a good
nights rest"
Down the platform, past the
wagons-lits with tantalizing glimpses
of made-up berths.
Dear. if you'd only make reser-
vations !" wistfully.
Have to take chance when you
travel with me. I'm here on bust
ness-can't plan ahead. There's our
Johnny! Now we'll see where he
parks u.s."
"Just day compartment" dis
mayed Helen, when they were ush-
cred into a first-class carriage.
''Un petit peu, 81 vous plat,
madame" lifting their bags to the
rack.
Puzzled, they watched him draw
out some braces from the wall. Then
deity he pulled up the back of the
seat-making q narrow>upper berth.
"Not a bad stunt" grinned War
rem. $50 that's what you call a
couchette?"
"Oui, monsieur" with a triumph
ant rabbit-from-the-h hat smile.
Then climbing up, he opened 4
false panel, which held two small
pillows, two clean slips, and two
brown linen covers.
The dark red pillows thrust into
the slips, the brown linen spread
over the leather seats, and his with
drawing bow implied they were ready
for the night.
Covers Sheets-blankets! Blan-
quettesl" coined Helen inspiration
ally.
"Blanquettes?" chuckled Warren.
"That means a veal stew. Nix on
your French"
The guard, his head out the win
dow, was shouting down the plat
form.
"No, no, not those awful gray
blankets Z" as the bedding cart
rolled up.
SCOT to have some cover"
grunted Warren. Better a little
dirt'n a cold"
Don't get any for mel wouldn't
have it near mel"
"Beuxi" Warren held up two fin
gers. "How much? Here you are"
Ignoring Helen's vehement pro-
test, he tossed a blanket on each
berth.
warren, I WON'T have that
filthy thing over me Think Of it
rented every night to anybody. Why,
they're full Of germs"
"Well, germs or no germs, that's
all the cover you get tonight"
"Can't he get us some from the
sleeping car? You tipped him
enough"
GUARD HELPLESS.
A sbrill, querulous whistle. A pet
ulant jerk. The train was snoring
out.
A knock at their compartment.
Another guard for their tickets.
"Coversl' pantomimed Helen.
From the wagons-lits--
You must rent rugs for the couch
cites, madame" in unexpected Eng
lish. =.
"We have, but they're filthy
Can't you get us anytbing?"
Impossible, madame" with dis
missing shrug, as he closed the door.
"He was horrid!" famed Helen.
"If you'd limited you'd give him
something"
"IlI sleep up there" unfolding 2
timetable TO cover her hat. I'll
have to take off this blouse-itll
get all rumpled."
Better not peel off much.
Pretty cold when we get goin'-if
that windows OPEN"
"Oh yes, we want it open. Dear,
lift down that suitcase. oh, how
weird these streets look at night I!
What part Of Paris is this?"
Nov, never mind rubberin' out