Staunton spectator and vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1896-1916, 1911-04-28
Married Life
Second Year


dine with them.
With some misgiving she had told
Warren of the invitation, but he had
only grunted an Indifferent ooh, if you
want to have him, all right. l met him
once, and he seemed to me pretty
much of chump."
"Why, he's anything but that" as
serted Helen Indignantly. "And if he
comes I want you to be particularly
nice to him."
"All right" carelessly, bring him
on"
And with this assurance of his con-
sent Helen had prepared the dinner
with much care.
There can be no more delicate or in
teresting situation for any woman
than that of entertaining, after her
marriage, man who wanted to marry
her.
And to the possibilities of this stu
alton, Helen was keenly alive. She
wanted to prove to viii Farrell that
she had made no mistake in her mar
rage. She wanted him to see her
home, her baby and her husband at
their best.
1t was almost six. now, sand she was
putting the last touches to the table
before hurrying to dress.
Here, Della, fill this silver salt Gel
lar. And that isn't the dish, for the
olives. l told you to use the one with
the handle. And put some more ice
on the celery, want it to be very
crisp"
By half past six, she was dressed
and was laying out Warren's clothes.
He had promised to come home early.
Surely, he wasn't going to be ilate to-
night!
At quarter to seven he had still not
come. The lump that always rose in
Helen's throat, when she .thought her.
self flagrantly neglected. orSmistreat-
ed, was now lodged there. WAS he
going to fail her tonight?
Seven o'clock brought MR. Farrell,
seeming bigger and better tgroomed
than ever, in his evening |. clothes.
Helen led the way to the library and
motioned him to a Morris chair by
the gas logs, which she had Just lit.
Il am so sorry Mr.. Curtiss has been
detained. But I'm sure he wei be here
any moment now
She tried to talk sgayly, 30 that he
might not see herr uneasiness about
Warren.
What a delightful apartment you
have here" he commented.
"Oh, yes; we like it very fmuch-i It's
very convenient, just;a block from the
subway. Mr.. Curtis tcan reach histo Of
fee in 20 minutes
Shall serve, dinner snow, ma'am,
or wait for Mr.. Curtis. asked Della,
appearing at the, door.
"Oh, why-I guess we'll AWAIT for a
few moments. He's certainSto be, here
very soon. I.can't imagine what has
detained him. so long"
Another half hour passed, and
Helen, knowing the dinner would be
spoiled if they waited, longer, ordered
Della to serve it.
They were hardlys seated, whensthe
hall door opened.
"Oh, there is Mr.. Curtis tnow,"f an
bounced Helen joyously.
She thought, of course, hes would 60
to his room and freshen up before
coming to the table. But Ito her sur
prise he bolted right in upon, them.
One glance at his flushedI face and
over-brilliant eyes and Helen. knew he
had been drinking!
"Ah, that's right-that's right. Glad
you didn't wait" with a.foo.dsh smile
that always came when he twas half
intoxicated.
Warren" Helen's voice was cur
iously strained, IT want You ito meet
Mr.. Farrell again. I believetsyoue did
meet several years ago.
"Why, of course. of course' How
are you, Farrell, old man? Mghtytglad
to have you with u.s.
Helen half arose from thestplace sat
the head of the table which she had
taken that she might serve. ina his .ab-
sence.
20, no-no,. my; dear, keep your
seat. The head Of the table for the
Madame every time, Ell Farrell"
Helen felt herself grow sick-cold,
remblingly' sick. If only he wouldn't
talk. they might get through the din
ner somehow. But, with him, drink
always brought first a foolish, maud
lin volubility, followed later by an -
ritable sullenness. And now he4 was
Just in the height iof the silly, gar
rulous stage.
Here Della, brought in the sroastsand
placed it before him.
said Helen hastily, "Mr. Curtis is
Tired"
mot a bit tired" said Warren cheer
fully. Never felt better in my life,"
as he took up the carving knife and
fork. He speared the roast with an
uncertain hand and made an attempt
1T carving. The first effort splashed
some brown gravy on the cloth. The
next assault brought the roast per-
llously near the edge of the plate.
Helen clenched her hands under
the table and waited. Then a sudden
movement of his elbow would have
sent glass crashing to the floor had
not Farrell caught it with quick dex-
terity.
Warren, let Della take the roast
into the Kitchen and carve it," plead
POEeDf1
Polenta, or Italian cornmeal, makes
an excellent breakfast dish when