The Washington times., 1908-12-16
CHAPTER ".
HELENE'S IMPULSIVE ACT.

the Santa Teresa SWilifltt
was transmitted by wire
less TO the EtrUTiC. to-
Eether with the other
leading news OF the day;
but by that time Helene was above
an interest in all things mundane, and
was merely praying that the ''pearly
gates''-or almost any old kind OF gates
would open and receive her into rest.
Equally natural was il, that when
the green shade had departed from
her complexion a day or two later, and
she was able to totter on deck, public
attention-or so much of it as was not
concerned with Switchboard, Irritation.
or the pool on the days run-was cen
tered upon some new sensation In the
world Of events.
There were those she talked to who
could have told her the details Of the
affair. and how the chief Culprit had
seemingly disappeared off the face OF
the earth lust when the authorities
were prepared to nab him: but she re-
manned in happy ignorance, with no
other idea than that dear old jim
was IN the rush of things back in
Chicago
She often thought Of him during those
long days on deck. and unused, girl-lil1e,
as to whether she had done right
II she were sick or I'm trouble. would
that have deferred him from giving her
his care and protection No. that
would have been just the time for Jim
Harrison to show up strong; and ought
she not, no matter what the risk, TO
have been equally generous2
Yet. after all, she was forced to adj
nit, he had scarcely given her the
chance TO accept him. Surely. no
woman could be expected to regard as
n serious proposal the blunt demand he
had blurted out; and before he had
amended it acCeptably. OF given her an
opportunity to daily with the offer, he
had flung himself of in a tantrum-
Why had he not come TO see her
next day? True. she had been called up
on the telephone in her absence, but
he had left no message for her, had
not even advised her OF his intended
return 10 Chicago.
Why did he not send ner "A mess age
now2 II could be done by wireless.
But perhaps he had overlooked that
means Of communication.
Surely, a cablcsram would he wait
ing for her on the other side; possibly,
since the Etruric was not one of the
fastest boats, q letter.
HUT she found no word from him on
landing. nor did any come
Then she put her pride in her pocket,
and wrote 10 him. Jim was too good
and old a friend. she felt. to be alien
ated or estrauSed upon a mere misun-
Outstanding.
She wrote him one Of ner old friend
Is. intimate letters. referring most
tactfully TO their last interview. and
so coucbcd as to restore their rela-
lions TO the former basis. if he so
wished ft. and since the pilgrimage
OF herself and aunt to the Far East
was 10 he IeisurpIy one Of various
stages she gave minute directions as
To where his answer might he sent.
The Hotel Goncourt, Paris, she
named as the address. and. although
their plans embraced a weeks longer
stay I'm London, and amtie was Ioath
10 leave. Helene insisted on racing
across the channel days before the let
ter could be expected TO arrive.
The American mail came, but moth
ing from Jim. Perhaps Il had missed
the steamer? She waited: still no let
ter.
Paris grew dun and dosolatc 10 her.
and suutic was ucrvously fretting to be
gone. Yet she fingered ou In desperation,
hoping against hope.
AT last whom she could no longer
stay. her anger rose. Never again
would she speak to Jim Harrison. she
vowed: no, not If he were TO set down
20 her upon mis- Blended knees. She
would net so much as think OF him.
The man who could act such a cad
and Door was unworthy even of re-
sentiment
With a high spot Of color on either
cheek she packed her trunks. secured
the tickets AMI settled her bill: then
at the last moment she sat down ana
wrote
Dear jim;
am humbling myself TO you. as 1
never believed / could do to any man
alive. but 7 cannot bear 10 see the old
cordial tie between las broken. If have
done anything 10 wound or distress YOU.
pray forgive me.
am going 10 be very bold. but
believe that the circumstances demand
absolute frankness. If YOU really want
me 10 marry YOU, will return TO Amer
lea and do So If not, let our old COM
radeship continue uninterrupted.
Be straight with me. though. as / have
been with YOU, jim Don't ask me to be
your wife because have written this
or for any other reason than that you
know 7 am the one woman in all the
-yorld for you The future happiness of
both Of US depends upon your absolute
honesty in this respect.