El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1911-03-29
n Oln1e[ ana
Humiliation. T"

Helen half arose from the place at
the head OF the table which she had
taken that she might serve In his alb
SERGE
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.
tremblingly sick II only he wouldn't
talk, they might get through the din
ner somehow But with him. drink al
ways brought first a foolish. maud1fn
volubility, followed later, by an frrit-
able sullenness. And now he was just
in the height OF the silly, garrulous
stage
Here Della brought in the roast and
placed it before him
"Oh, I will carve tonight, Della"
said Helen hastily. Mr. Curtis is
tired"
Not 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
at carving. The first effort splashed
some brown gravy on the cloth. The
next assault brought the roast peril
Ously near the edge OF the plate
Helen CIenched Her Hands.
Helen c1enched her hands under the
table and waited. Then a sudden
movement Of his elbow would have
sent a 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, pleaded
Helen
what for?" with the obstinacv Of
alcohol Il always carve. don't I?
What's the matter with my carving
tonight"
Here Farrell. to relieve the strain and
Helen's embarrassment. told a story
about q southern darby carving a
stolen chicken. at which Helen smiled
gratefully although she heard not a
word Her eyes We're fixed in anguish
ed anxiety on the roast, expecting ev-
cry moment to see it landed on the
table cloth or on the floor.
However, Warren managed to saw
off a few ragged slices. Helen pro-
tested she didn't care for any" so
there would be no need Of carving any
more.
Just how they got through that din
ner Helen hardly knew. Warren grew
more and more garrulous and maudlin.
but Farrell. with rare tact and delicacy.
tried to direct the conversation with
stories and incidents Of the west
After dinner. coffee was served in
the library, where Warren seemed con-
stantly on the verge OF overturning or
dropping his cup.
Farrell left very early on plea OF
some business letters to be written be-
fore morning. but Helen knew it was
to release her as soon as possible
from this painful situation.
For moment they were alone in
the hall. She held out her hand, in
goodbye, and in silent gratitude for
his help and understanding through
the humiliation Of that evening
I'm going back to Denver, Monday
but if there's anything I can do for
you-you have only to let me know"
He smiled a little sadly. I'm afraid
that sounds rather trite and melo-
dramatic-and yet think you know I
mean it."
He half raised her hand to his lips,
then dropped it with Goodbye. little
woman: good luck" and he was gone
For a Long Time She stood.
For long time Helen stood by the
window, her burning cheek against the
cool glass-gazing out unseeing into
the night
Warren had thrown himself on the
couch and was sleeping heavily But
still she stood there. her hot face still
pressed against the window.
IF there Is anything I can ever do
for you-you have only to let me
know
What had he meant by that?