El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1912-08-03
Married Life the Third Year

TT was charming room with low
bookcases, Persian rugs and hang
ings. Everywhere were evidences
Of foreign travel. Bits Of rare pot
terry and jade, curious daggers and
swords were strewn over the book
cases, tables and desk
Surely they wouldn't rent the
apartment like this?" exclaimed Helen.
They'd put away some Of these
No, ma'am; it's to be rented just
as it is" and the caretaker crossed
over to raise the blinds. 1t belongs to
Col. Mawson-he's gone to India
But you don't think it could be had
for less than three mOnths?"
I'm afraid not, ma'am. But you
can see the agents-Edgcomb & Wick
ham, No. 142 oxford street.
Helen made a note Of the address and
then stepped again to the door OF the
bedroom. There was a eanopied bed
hung with heavy silk curtains and
the walls were covered with rare old
prints and engravings.
To Helen it looked like the stage
setting Of an English play. She could
picture Col MawsOn coming in, throw
ing himself into one Of the curiously
carved chairs while a japanese valet
took off his boots and brought him
a whisky and soda.
Half an hour later Helen found her
self in the office of Edgcomb & Wick
ham, House Agents" After a few
minutes wait in the outer office she
was ushered in TO Mr.. Wickham. He
was the typical frOck coated, deliber-
ate English business man.
1t was evidently pleasant break
In the monotony of his day to have a
charming young American rush in and
declare with her quick, impulsive en-
thusiasm that she had just seen the
most "ideap' apartment, which was
Just what she wanted, but the care
taker had said it must be rented for
three months, and she wanted it for
only one.
When Helen paused, breathless. he
smilingly asked what apartment it
was. Eagerly she gave the address.
"A disappointment.
That's Col MaWson's apartment
no I'm afraid it would be impossible
to let that for less than three months
If he were here himself, it is very
probable he would make an exception
in this case" implying that so charm
ing an applicant could not be refused.
But we've no choice in the matter.
And you can understand, I'm sure,
why he would not wish to rent a place
of that kind for only a month"
She had, of course, understood that
all along, but with the egOtism of her
femininity, she had hoped to oTerrule
that restriction.
Helen was always inclined to feel
that all rules and regulations should
be adjusted to suit her convenience.
She was never aggressive or asertive
about it, ands yet she was often sweet
~ unreasonable She could never see
why she should not be made an ex-
ceptiOn.
But we've another two room apart
ment on Great Portland street that
might interest you. It's just around
the corner from here. If you wish
I'll go over there with you now"
To find herself walking along Ok
ford street with an estate agent in a
frock coat and high hat was to Helen
somewhat novel sensation.
Her feminine intuition told her that
Mr.. Wiekham's excessive courtesy was
due not to his desire to rent the
apartment but to his very evident in
terest in her.
It is an exceptional woman who
does not take pleasure in the knowl
edge that she has aroused admiration
and interest-and Helen was not an
exceptional woman.
1t was an old fashioned brick house
with an air of faded elegance. A
liverled servant opened the door and
showed them the rooms
To Helen's surprise it was the draw
ing room and the room back OF 1t