El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1913-03-12
Married. Life the Third Year
Helen Grasps at n Proof of War
ren's Tenderness, but 1t
EIudes Her.
-By Mabel Herbert Urner -
= OR several moments Helen sto


10y Mabel Herbert UrneF -
~ OR several moments Helen stood
hesitating before the phone, then
determinedly took down the re-
ceiver.
$3.50 Schuyler I'd like to speak
to Miss Ford Oh, I'm so glad
you're in! Are you doing anything
special? Can't you come over a little
while? Yes, I'm all alone.
Warren had Mr.. Tracey here to dinner.
but they left right afterward-sOme
committee meeting. 1 don't know whan
/ ever felt so restless. I can't settle
down to sew or read or anythingi 9.
Oh, Pm so sorry Well,
wait; III see what time it is"
Helen darted to the library to glance
at the clock.
It's ten minutes after eight But
suppose Warren should get back, be-
fore 1 dO2-Wait, let me think-Yes, I
could do that-all right, impulsively,
III Gomez
Helen never went out in the evening
without Warren, and now, as she hur-
riedly slipped into her wraps, 1t seemed
like a daring adventure. For fear that
he might come back unexpectedly
early, she pinned note on the lamp
shade in the hall.
Dear. I've gone over to Evelyn
Ford's at the BellcOurt- VIII be
back by half past ten"
Another Visitor.
To Helen's surprise, Evelyn was not
alone. A young woman in a clinginS
black evening gown, whom she intro
duced as Mrs. Chiffon, was with her
Ny rooms are Just down the hall
from Miss FOrd's, but think I'm IN
here most of the time" she laughed
An apartment hotel can be so lonely,
and my husband has been away two
months"
Mrs. Chiffon was a sOutherner. with
a soft, drawing voice, a certain Ian
guild charm, and a desire to talk iu-
Cessan0y of my husband"
Hes never been away so long be-
fore" she informed Helen naively.
Then glancing at tiny bracelet watch,
'Oh, its almost time for him to call
me up forgot to say I'd be in here
She swept over to the telephone Lni
instructed the operator to call her in
Miss FOrd's room.
But I thought you Just said your
husband was in DetrOit2' exclaimed
Helen. bewildered.
"Oh. yes, but he calls me up on long
distance about this time every eve
ming. I'd be so worried If he didn't
But isn't that very EXPENSIVE
Helen could not help but ask.
Yes. it means four dollars for the
first three minuteS-and 1 almost d.
ways talk longer. 1 know it's extrava-
giant. and we really can't afford II, put
/ simply have TO hear from him once
( a day"
Helen made no further comment. but
she could not help but wonder at the
devotion of a husband who every night
would telephone from Detroit TO New
York She remembered the time she
was at her mothers in Missouri and
I had not heard from Warren for two
weeks. Almost in desperation she had
called him up one night on q long
distance phone. And he had been
furiOus-had TOared at her for doing
such a senseless. eXtravagant thing.
Yet this man telephOned his wife from
Detroit every night
Her Phone Call.
It was q little after when the phone
rang. Mrs. Chiffon sprang up with an
excited
There he is now, Tell her to con-
meet me in my rOOml I'll be there in
moment And she dashed out down
the hall
shes perfectly wild about him"
smiled Evelyn indulgenuy. when she
had told the telephone girl that Mrs.
Chiffon was now in her room, and had
closed the hall door, which she had
left open in her haste.
Does he really call her up every
night2" asked Helen. unbelievingly.
Yes. I don't think he ever misses
She gets a letter from him every day,
tOo-and they've been married almost
why was this woman so loved? won
dered Helen. She was pretty and
charming in her languid, clinging way.
but what had she to give to receive
envy in Helen's heart All her life she
had so yearned for love-yet how little
had been given her.
Evelyn talked on of other things,
but Helens thoughts were with Mrs.
Chiffon and Of her priceless possession
of such a love
In a few moments there was a knock
at the door and a laughing: Can 1
come in again. 1t was Mrs. Chiffon,
ssHe saws he expects to start back in
two weeksi 1 just had to come teu
you. Now won't you all come IN my
room and have a glass of sherry and
some fruit cake-sOme that was sent
from home Christmas?"
I'D love to, but I must 60. I simply
ran away" explained Helen. and must
get back before Mr.. Curtis"
But you left word where you were
going, didn't yOu2" asked Evelyn.
"Oh, yes, but I want to get back first
never go anywhere at night
Surely you'll wait till he comes for
you9r exclaimed Mrs. Chiffon.
The idea Of having Warren come for
her had not even occurred to Helen
How could she make a pampered, pet
ted idOliZed woman like Mrs. Chiffon
understand that her husband would not
think of coming for herr
oh. no, I wouldn't want him to come.
He'll be so tired-there'd be no use Of
his coming way up here"
why Of cOurse-he'1 want to comet
home alOner insisted Mrs. Chiffon.
Helen hesitated. 1t was really only
a quarter Of 10. and she felt sure War
rem would not get home until after II,
so she consented to stay a few NOM
ents longer.
Mrs. Chiffon insisted on 'phoning
down to the office to say that Mrs.
Curtis was in her room in case any
one called for her. But Helen knew
only too well that there would be no
call
The sherry and fruit cake were de-
liciOus, and Mrs. Chiffon with her
dainty belongings had made her hotel
room most attractive. But a a quarter
after 10. in spite of their protests and
assertions that Mr.. Curtis would soon
be after her" Helen broke away.
All the way. home in the car Helen's
thoughts were still of Mrs. Chiffon and
of the love her husband gave her. How
could there be an unhappy moment il
her life?
HAS Mr.. Curtis come YET she asked
anXiously of the elevator boy.
why, yes man. and he's gone out
again"
Gone out againr" in astonishment.
Didn't he leave any wOrd2"
NO, man, but guess he's gone
after YOU