Omaha daily bee., 1911-12-12


stand because you think I'm not very
happy with Warren-well,at at least he's
true to met fiercely.
"Oh, l know he is! ! didn't mean to
say that-you know l didn't"
IT'S all right, dear at least l know
you didn't mean to hurt me-"
Here the phone rang again, and again
Alice started, eagerly. "Oh, that may
be him now. If it is-say that"
But Helen was already at the phone
in the hal
Yes this is Mrs. Curtis apartment.
Yes Miss Brooks Is here now. Very
we'll"
Some one to speak to you, Alice"
But with joyous little cry Alice was
already at her side ana had taken the
receiver. Helen went back into the sit
ting room and once more took up her
sewing, but. this time 1t lay idle in her
lap.
Yes" came Allce's voice from the
hall. YES the girl said some one phoned,
but 1 didn't know-1 wasn't sure. oh,
but you goaded me into saying that. oh,
dont-I can't talk about 1t over the phone.
when? No. Wait. I'll call her"
She let the receiver hand and ran into
Helen. IT'S Dick" excitedly. "He wants
us TO take tea with him at the Ritz
Carlton at s. You will-won't your"
why. Alice, how can /? You know
don't approve of this man-and 1 can't
put myself In the position of encouraging
your Friendship"
'oh. you won't be-Just to 60 with us
this once"
mo, no; can't-dont ask me, dear.
III do great deal for you-but not this
Alice ran back TO the phone. Hello!
Helen says she's very sorry, but that she
has ain engagement why
IL suppose so Then
you'li call for me here at 4:SO =.
Yes, bood-bye."
Then you're going with him anyway ?"
said Helen, reproaehfully.
Alice stopped over and kissed her i'm
pulsively. Don't, dear; don't spoil my
happiness now"
ITS your happiness that I'm think
ing of.
But my happiness depends on him
even though that happiness means un-
happiness. Oh, there's no one like him
even his voice over the phone-wasnt It
strong and deep and forcible?"
Helen nodded reluctantly. She had been
unwilling conscious of the charm of his
voice.
Now he'll be here for me In half an
hour" joyously. May l go in here and
fix?' running in Helen's bedroom. Then
moment later, "Oh, have you any white
powder-this is pink
When Helent went in for the powder,
she was taking down her hair.
II must do It over-that hat weighs II
down So"
1t was beautiful hair, long and wavy
and with a CLINT OF gold. Helen
watched her with something like envy
as she did 1t up In simple coil, low on
her neck.
Helen was always an ardent admirer
OF beauty, and Alice Brooks was beautl-
full. And there was around her now that
tremendous glamour Of love that made
her almost radiant. But why--why must
she love Dick Fairchlld? Older than she,
a clubman, a man about town a man
with strong physical charm, but wholly
untitled to marry this young girl.
1t was just 4:3O when he was announced.
Helen could not deny the charm OF his
personality, and the ease with which he
greeted them. II was unquestionably an
embarrassing position. Alice was plainly
flushed and self-conseious, and yet he
WAS wholly at ease.
If you're quite sure you can't join
us, Mrs. Curtis-can we take you any
where? The car is here"
Helen murmured some excuse.
They chatted on for a few moments,
Alice watching his every movement with
adoring eyes.
The door had hardly closed after them.
when Helen noticed a handkerchief on
the floor II was Ance's. Hurriedly
| picking it up she started to call them
back. but as she opened the doOr-She
/ paused.
They were standing by the elevator.
Alice, her hand on his arm, was looking
up at him with ali her love in her eyes.
The elevator ropes were moving. but just
before the car came in sight. with a mas
terfu movement he drew her toward
| him and kissed her. Helen closed the
door softly, without either OF them having
noticed her.
That look In Alice's eyes. The tender.
trustful, S6fshipfuI love OF a woman.
The love that no man ever really ap-
1 preciates-and that usually breaks the
heart OF the woman who gives H.