El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1913-11-16
Married Lies Troubles
Helen Invites a Friend to Dinner,
ScOrns "a Taxi and is Sorry
For 1t.
Gv Mabel Herbprf Timer

= IL y
sheets, and the wind almost tore
the umbrella from HeIen's grasp
ooh, this is dreadful as she
stepped in a swirling puddle, spIashins
the water up over her shoes. 4 sup
pose we should have taken taxi
IF only it doesn't spot this suit"
complained Louise, holding her cling
ing skirt above her ankles.
They had reached the corner now,
but there was no car in sight.
Lets stand under here" running to
a sheltered doorway oh, [ hope II
won't hurt your suit" apoIogetically.
as Louise resentfully shook her wet
skirt.
It seemed fully ten minutes before a
car appeared-an embarrassing awk-
ward 10 minutes for Helen, who felt
responsible for this drenching, for she
had stopped by to ask Louise for din
ner, as Warren had phOned ne could
not get home and she hated to dine
alone.
Louise Carson. who lived at won
ans hotel" always welcomed a dinner
invitatiOn-even one that came at the
last moment.
But as they left the hotel together,
the rain that had threatened all day
began in earnest. PerfunctOrily Helen
suggested a taxi. but with such evil
dent reluctance that Louise mUrmured
a polite, "Oh, we can just as well take
a car"
Before they reached the car line the
rain was coming down in torrents.
I'm afraid it's crowded. exclaimed
Helen, as they now ran out to signal
the approaching car.
The motOrman. ignoring their sig
nails, drove by without stopping, the
car wheels splashing them with water
from the rain filled tracks
ooh, that makes me furiOus"'
oil TO- Hwnr
here" and Louise started back to the
doorway.
In the Car.
The next car was just as crowded,
but the mOtOrman- cOndescended to
stop and they squeezed their way
through the wet ill-SmeIing crowd
We shouldn't have taken this" COM
planned Louise GROSSLY. for to be
crushed against wet Overcoats and
dripping umbrellas was even more
damaging TO ones clothes and temper
than standing in the rain
When they left the car they had to
step out into pool of water and al
most wade across the street
oh this is awful said Helen. why
didn't I get a taXi2"
Yes. a taxi would be cheaper than
running our clothes" admitted Louise
ungraciously. now plainly out of hum
There was a sudden laundering
crash, a streak of Ishtning-then a
binding sheet of Icin.
Helen's thin silk Umbrella was not
proof against this dOwnpOur, and she
felt the water trickling through it.
She felt, too the steady stream which
poured from a point of Louises UNI
brella over her shoulder, but by this
time she was too wet and too desper-
ate to care
Silently. resentfuily. miserabIy, they
splashed through this torrent. The
streets were deserted Every one ex-
cept themselves had sought shelter.
Getting a little damp, girls ?" called
solitary man, who ran by with low
cred umbrella.
3Ut Helen was too wretched even to
feel indignant. At length the two globe
lights before the apartment snOne in
gellOwish bIur through the rain. The
elevator boy looked mildly aStonished
as they entered, drenched and drip
ping.
The feather on I.ouise's hat was re-
duced to a detected wisp, and her blue
cloth suit was soaking 10 the knees.
Home at Last.
Nora opened the door for them with
cry of dismay.
Put these umbrellas in the bath
tub, Mort And don't serve dinner until
quarter after, We've got to get out Of
these things"
Helen led the way to her dressing
room and switched on the lights
Now let me have your coat" taking
hanger from her wardrobe; and take
your skirt off. III have Nora hang
that in the kitchen"
But Louise's blue serge coat had
faded through the lining on to her silk
waist. There were blue smudges on
the shoulder and sleeve.
Take it off quick-Iu put It right
to soak in cold water. It's all my
fault. On, 1 can't tell you how sorry
ann
If Helen hoped that Louise would
comfort her with any prOtestations
that it was all right she was dis
appointed, for Louise was anXiOusly
examining the stained sleeve.
And you must take off those wet
shoes and stockings" warned Helen,
"Or you'll have a fearful cold Here's
a pair of stockings, but I'm afraid you
can't wear my shoes" Then with a
mind Warren's house slippers!Just I'M
til yours dry2"
Let me try your bedroom slippers,
flushed Louise resentfully- They're
loose can certainly wear them"
why, yes. of course" hastily pro-
dUcing a pair of absurdly small pink
satin quilted slippers.
It's because my feet are damp and
swollen" frOwned Louise, as she tried
in vain to get them on.
She was so plainly annoyed that
Helen when she brought out pair of
Warren's slippers, laughed APOLOGIZE
caIIy.
These will be miles too big-but
maybe you can keep them on"
In her anxiety about LOuise's clothes,
Helen had not thought of her own, but