South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1913-09-16

Helen laid down ner sewing, ad-
Justed the shade OF the drop light be-
side her. walked over to the window
and gazed up and down the dark and
almost deserted street. Then turned
around. looked wistfully at the clock.
and again settled herself in her chair.
1t was foolish to expect him so soon,
she told herself as she once more pick
ed up her sewing. 1t was only half
past eight and he would not be home
before ten-and probably later He
had dined out again Notwithstanding
her TO another lonely dinner and
evening.
He had telephoned that it was a
matter OF business policy" that he
was dining at the club with some men
whose acquaintance might be useful
TO him later on. But this had hap
pened so often lately. And once or
OF liquor had been very strong and
his face more flushed than she had
ever seen It.
Helen was neither narrow nor over
prudish. She knew that Warren had
wine with his dinner when he wanted
it. Her own father always had, and
she thought nothing of it, There had
dinner table at home. All her people.
while not temperance" were most
moderate in their drinking. She had
of it none of the horror and dread
that a more unfortunate family expe-
rience might have had.
And yet she felt vaguely uncom-
Portable when she thought of those
nights Warren had come home much
flushed and with the odOr of liquor so
strong. She had not spoken to him
about it. She had not known what 10
say, or how he would take il if she
had,
Here her thoughts were suddenly
interrupted by a sharp ring of the
bell. She started up with another
glance at the clock. 1t was almost
nine. Could Ii be he?
rs il too late for a moments call?
The elevator boy said he did not re-
member bringing Mr.. Curtis up this
evening-so I though perhaps you
were alone"
1t was Mrs. Bennett from the floor
below. Helen was lonely enough TO
welcome almost any one, but she had
heard of Mrs. Benefits love of gossip,
and the fact of her asking the elevator
boy If Mr.. Curtis had come in lessened
the cordially of her greeting.
How cosy and cheerful this room
looks! 1 think it's your paper. I've
never liked the paper on our sitting
room. I told Mr.. Bennett we'd have
TO have IT done over in the fall. But
1 suppose Wen have to do 1t ourselves.
It's so hard to make this landlord do
anything. But l guess you've found
that out"
why mo- thought they were
rather Obliging."
"Oh, you're new tenants. Wait UNI
til you've been here a year or so. We
were the first people in the building
leased our apartment before 1t was
finished. You'd think that would
make them favor us-but it's just the
other way. The new tenants are the
one that are always catered to. But
we stay because we like the apart
ments. You can't get six rooms and
bath like these anywhere else for
$4,000. 1 presume that's what you
pay? All these front ones are sup
posed TO rent for that"
Helen recognized this as a clever
ruse 10 find out the amount of their
rent: so she answered, evasively:
II believe it is something like that.
Mr. Curtis signed the lease before we
were married, so 1 really know very
little about ii"
well. it's a very good house. The
neigh borhood is good. convenient to
the subway, and most of the tenants
are very desirable. OF course there
are always some that are not quite
what you would wish. l suppose
you've heard OF Mrs Trainor on the
third fioor?"
Helen shook her head. She knew
this was gossip and she ought TO dis
courage it-and yet she felt a certain
guilty interest.
Her husband drinks. Comes home
late almost every other night, and so
intoxicated the boy has to help him
in the elevator. And then there's al
hp
high-but from my court bedroom you
can hear them Quarreing. lie swears
at her and she always cries.
Poor thingi" murmured Helen.
We'll. they say it's partly her fault.
She used 10 be always playing bridge
never came home in time to get his
dinner. so he got 10 dining down town.
That's the way so many of them do!'
and she looked at Helen rather
searchingly.
II was almost ten when she rose to
r.weu. 1 must be going. I suppose
Mr. Curtis will be here in few mo-
ments now"
"Oh, yes" mumured Helen. he ii
be here in a few moments"
We'll, my dear, take the advice OF
an older woman. and don't let MIN
STAY out too often and too late she
laughed It's not good for these
young husbands. you know.
Helen closed the door after her with
burning cheeks Why had she SAID
that? Was il only a casual remark
or had IL more significance? Did she
know Warren had been out q good
deaI lately? Had she heard that, too.
from the elevator boy?
A sense OF great resentment OF bit
terness rose within her Was she not
finding married life difficult enough
Must she contend, too, with petty Cos
sip? Was that also TO De added TO her
difficulties?
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