The evening Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1902-1902, 1902-05-29
The ROLE
OF HELEN.

Mara stood irresolutely before the
door Of room No. IL, and watched
the doctor as he went down the hall.
DIT. Bowen!" she called impulsive-
ly.
The doctor turned in surprise and
came to her. He was grave man,
of splendid physique; and he looked
somewhat curiosity at the girl, who
spoke with a breathless overweight
calm, that he, like Mara herself,
mistook for a unique self-control.
DIR. Bowen, is he safea" Mara
turned serious face to the doctor.
The doctor smiled slowly. Per
fectly safe. just do as he asks. He
will die, poor fellow. He may get
over this idea. He saw you in the
doorway, and--don't you hear him
calling "Helen?"
Mara started and listened. "Oh,
Helen, love, please" came plead
ing voice, please let me explain
please" An intent gentleness
swept into Mara's face, and into her
tone. Poor boy! I'll go right in,
DR.. Bowen" she murmured.
con Helen, don't you understand?
besecchcd the voice, family.
slow long has he been here?"
whispered Mara.
"Six weeks. Hes not crazy, my
dear child. merely delirisus. Poor
fellow, he won't last long! II he
thinks you are the girl he is calling.
perhaps you cai sootbe him little"
''llelcn, oh, IIclen!"
The doc or looked at Mara. Are
you goins?" he asked.
Mara opened the door of room No.
l6, and going directly to the narrow
bed, bent over the man who lay there
and gently placed herhand on his
hand on his head.
fhe man looked wildly into her
face then ceased his unhappy moan.
|, ing; and sank back with glad laugh
"Oh, Helen, Helen. sdolet me cx.
plaln.' he cried, after lopg stare at
Mara's still gray, eyes and tender.
mouth.
Mara seated herself on the edge
Of the bed remembering while she
did SO that Dr. Bowen had fire.
quently condemned the habit and
took the boy IS hot handsin her own.
She noticed that the fingers were
almost femlnely long and slim.
You need not explain anything
at all it doesn't matter" she began,
soothingly.
But the boy interrupted with
wild, Borrowing cry, and he held
her hands close to his eyes. ''Oh,
Helen, you've got another ring.
Why did you come in, just to mock
ME! And oh, it's worse than
ever" He flung Mara's hands from
him, and buried his face in the pill
lows.
Mara quickly slipped her rings in
to her pocket. They are just
rings that father gave me-" she
said. Il won't wear them if you
don't like Them She wondered at
the sincere pleading in her voice.
The boy turned his face to her
once more and took one of her
hands.
Now, let me explain-do" he
said, why doesn't he do it, and not
keep on asking?' You need not;
let's forget all about it. The boy
smiled then his face became
storm worn and not boy" she SO.
lilmIuized.
Il must EXPLAIN he said, COM
mandingly. Il owe it to you, and
yon know that you won't forget,
Oh. know how it looked dear; it
was all right. Oh, Helen, don't wo-
men ever love men enough to trust
themI' he painted, with weary sor-
row in his voice.
Yes" said Mara, they do; most
women do but they forget some
times, you know
The experience of her pinete Ell
years, which she had hitherto CON
siderel somewhat vital and strong.
was inadequate. She was rather
more of an actress than is the aver
age Overwrnllyht. self-ccntred girl;
but this intrusion into innermOst
life of the strange being, both man
and hoy. who had. no protection
against her, was revolving to her.
She felt herself IL blasphemcr, and
loathcd the part that she did not re-
fuse TO play. "Don't trouble to ex.
plain, dear,' she said with Il tremor.
II remember now to trust you,
and VIC will forget it ALL She laid
her free hand ON his forehead, and
gently moved his hair from beneath
her i0gcrs. As the man closed his
eyes Tor a moment, Mara saw that
his fucc was sensitive, and that it
was both weak aud strong, cruel and
boylshly sweet, like so manv other
faces Of men that she had seen.
~ wonder II really look like Hell
en-" she thought. She tr;el to recall;
the details Of her own appearances,
but only blur Of still, gray eyes
changing color and the gold.tinted
silk in her hat came before her. II
wonder II she wears yellow-browns."
she unused. glancing ut her dress.
Then SHE blushed at what she called
her friv0lity and heartlessness. She
had almost forgotten the boy, when
lie opened bis eyes and held out his
arms.
"And you really can forgive me?
There nothing really to forgive;
and you really will forget? Aud
you really can trust me. without
any explanation" he asked, with
joyous wonder. II will explain. if
you will let me- -.,,