Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1913-11-01

M It's only couple OF blocks
from here-can't you come
In and have some tear
Helen hesitated, then yielded to
Mrs Merwin's urgent invitation.
She had met the Merwins on the
steamer. They had sat at the same
table on the return voyage and seen a
great deal OF each other during the
trip. And now Mrs. Merwins greet
ing, as they met Unexpectedly on
Fifth avenue was most cordial
Don't you want to come UP to the
rooms? It's much quieter, ana II
order tea up there" she suggested
as they pushed through the heavy
revolving door of the Hotel Asoorf.
The atmosphere ana appointments
Of a big, luxurious hotel had always
a certain charm for Helen, charm
that would probably be dispelled
should she live at one for any length
of time
They left the elevator at the eighth
floor, and Mrs. Merwin led the way
nm the hail to an expensive suite OF
bedroom, sitting room and bath
She telephoned down for the tea
ordering with It two cocktails
"Oh. YES. we must have something
to drink" as she hung up the receiver
"I've been blue all day! on, l thlhk
New York is the most lonely place
ri be so glad when we get away
"Rut You're so pleasantly situFed
h.rA" protested Helen, glancinG
around the attractive rooms Ana
don't YOU find this hotel very gooo
i've always heard that the service
here was excellent.
ooh II almost hate 1t. I've peer
90 unhappy ever since we camel
Helen looked up, surprised at tine
tremor in her voice.
"You know we'd planned to go or
20 Dsnver but-but Mr.. Merwin'
business has kept us here. Now /
| don't know when we'll get away
She had laid aside her hat. and az
she leaned back in a chair by the
window, Helen saw how tired ano
worn she looked on the steamer she
had been most attractive. and the cen
ire of much attention. But now she
was pale and llstless. with hagsaro
lines around her eyes and mouth.
What could have happened to have
changed her In 80 short time?
In a few moments the waiter came
with the tea ON the tray were tive
Islander glasses into which he poured
the cocktail from a silver shaker
Mrs Merwln slipped hers eagerly. ano
a faint color relieved her pallor.
Momentarily it seemed to cheer her
and they talked OF the people they
had met on the steamer. several OF
u. of
Then the phone rang, and she
started so violently that the tes
splashed from the cup she was hold
ing. The phone was on the wall by
the door, and Helen could not help
but notice how her hand trembled
when she took down the receiver.
SHE BREAKS DOWN.
mo, Mr.. Merwin is not here. .
I'm sorry. but l don't know anything
about that. I'm sure Mr.. Merwin
will make 1t all right Yes, as
soon as he comes in"
Hardly had she left the phone when
the bell rang again.
Mr.. Merwin is not in. No, he hasn't
an office in New York. At six? He
may be here then, but I'm not sure "
To Helen's dismay as Mrs. Merwin
turned from the phone she suddenly
leaned against the wall and burst
into tears.
"Oh, / can't stand 1t any longer
cSn'tr she sobbed. They're always
calling him up-the people he owesl
And he's drinking and gambling away
all his money"
For a moment Helen hardly knew
what to say then she made strained
and awkward attempt to comfort her,
But the emotions which had evidently
been pent up for days were finding
expression, and she sobbed out to
Helen the whole wretched story
The mining scheme that Mr.. Mer-
win had been promoting in London
mad fallen through when they
reached New York. He had borrowed
money from every one he knew, try
Ing to promote some other stock.
That too, had been failure, and now
they had not even money enough to
Day their hotel billiard they owed
tor three weeks.
But why do you keep these ex-
nenalva roomsT' ventured Helen.
Couldn't you stay at some cheaper
hotel. or even at q boarding house"'
Eyes, but we can't leave until we
nav the bill We can't even take
cheaper rooms here, for that would
make them Suspicious. They think
Mr. Merwin has money. he always
gpent 1t so freely. II they didn't
think that, they wouldn't keep Civ
Ing US credit In the restaurant-and
we've got to eat somewhere"
But IL you go on running up THIS
bilr-
ALWAYS PROMOTING.