El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1912-01-18
MARRIED LIFE THE THIRD YEAR
BY MABEL
HERBERT URNER

It's all ready. madam. Shall / serve
1t nOw2" asked Della
No, wait q few moments, Della MI
Curtis IS so tired; he's laid down Tor
little nap, and know he won want 10
be awakened so soon"
Dinner won't be good If it stands,
grumbled Della. The time to serve
things is when they's ready
In a few moments Helen stole quietly
back into the room where Warren lay.
One hand was under his head, and the
other fell Imply over the side OF the
couch. His hair was rumpled and his
face slightly flushed with sleep
Awakening Warren.
Very softly she moved NOver to the
couch and knelt down beside him. II
was time to awaken him, but she want
ed him this way, for few moments
all to herself She always felt very
near him when he was asleep. There
Is a certain helplessness and boyishness
about a strong man when he sleeps
that always appeals to the mother-love
in the woman that loves him.
And now very softly Helen touched
her lips to his shoulder-then to his
hair To her his hair seemed always to
hold fragrance all its own. Then as
he did not stir, very, very gently she
kissed his neck and then his forehead
How long would II be before she
would see him again like this? Des-
perately she tried to hold to these mo-
ments, to fix in her mind every outline
Of his face and form as he lay there,
so she could the more wildly have him
with her in the long weeks he would
be away.
And his warm sleeping breath
against her cheek, and the feel Of the
rough cloth OF his coat and the silky
softness OF his tie-she knew how it
would all be with her, how she would
live it all over again and again.
Suddenly he opened his eyes, stared
at Helen, then yawned and stretched
his arms.
Chm. How long have been
About 20 minutes. dear. Dinners
waiting now"
"All right" drowsily. again closing
his eyes.
ooh, but Warren, you mustn't go to
sleep again. It's after seven and you've
got your suit case to pack after din
ner"
with another prolonged yawn he sat
up, stretching his arms an bringing
them back to his shoulders with dumb
bell motion.
'JOve, I was tlredF
Helen who had now sat down on the
couch beside him. drew his head oven
TO her shoulder and rested her cheeb
against his.
"Oh. dear, do let me purr over you a
mOment-it may be so long before I
can again"
Wei. there's not much time for purr-
ing now lOOkluH al MS HaLGn ana LLeLk
getting up In spite Of her protesting
arms. I've ordered a cab for eleven
that train leaves at 11:44"
Helen forced herself TO mince over the
dinner. but the little she ate almost
choked her. She sat facing the clock
on the dining room manteL The min
ute hand seemed almost TO Fly around
and each moment brought nearer the
dreaded hour
She had resolved that even at the
IL
she would not cling to him. not let him
see how fearfUlly she dreaded the sepa-
ration Not only did he hate a scene
as he would call it, but she did not
want him to carry away the vision Of
red eyes and swollen, tear-stained
She had determined, too. that she
would not ask him how often he would
write. 1t always irritated him for her
TO try to pin him down to any prom
ises, and she knew nothing she could
say would make him write a single let
ter more than he felt inclined And
yet when she was helping him pack
the suit case she could not Keep back
You know how anxious I'll be ~1ien
/ don't hear"
Well, I'm going on a business rip,
you know I'll have something 10 do
besides write letters"
But II you could only write just a
line-say every other day" knowing
how unwise was her persistence, yet
not being able to control It
Now see here"-he began harshly
but was interrupted by the telephone.
That's the texicab now" as he went
20 answer it.
"Oh. no, it's too early-it can't be-
cried Helen, excitedly, panic stricken
that the moment Of parting had come
so soon
That's just what it IS" putting up
the receiver and turning hurriedly to
lock and strap the suit case.
In moment the driver came up for
Jne trunk and dragged it noisily out to
the elevator Warren was already get
ting into his Overcoat Now that the
time had cOme-Heleu could only stand
Dy looking helplessly on.
When he came over TO kiss her, she
chung TO him silently.
Gocdby, dear. Don't look so tragic
about it. The time viii pass quickly
III only be gone a few weeks. Take
care Of yourself-be a good girl Good
by"
He started toward the door. She was
standing motiOnless where he had left
her With his hand on the knob he
paused. then turned, putting down his
suit case With a little cry she was in
his arms again.
There, there, Kitten I'll be back
before you know it," And then half
reluctant, yet moved to make some con-
cessions I parting. III write often
dear-every other day"