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

M It's only a couple Of blocks
from here-can't you come
in and have some tea?"
Helen hesitated, then yielded to
Mrs Merwin's urgent invitation.
She had met the Merwins or 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 10 come up to the
rooms7 It's much quieter, and III
order tea up there" she suggested
as they pushed through the heavy
revolving door of the Hotel Asdorr.
The atmosphere and appointments
of big, luxurious hotel had always
certain charm for Helen, eharm
that would probably be dlspeHea
should she live at one for any length
of time.
They left the elevator at the eighth
floor, and Mrs. Merwin led the way
UP the hall to an expensive SUITE OF
bedroom, sitting room and pain
She telephoued down Tor the tea
ooh. yes. We must nave something
to drink" as she hung up the receiver.
I'VE been blue All day! Oh, ! think
New York is the most lonely place.
ri he so glad when we get away.
"But you're so pleasantly situEed
hsr." protested Helen, Slancing
around the attractive rooms. Ana
don't YOU find this motel very sood
I've always heard that the service
here was excellent ~, 49,.
"Oh IL almost hate 1t! I've been
so unhappy ever since We came.
Helen looked up, surprised at the
tremor in her voice.
you know we'd planned to go on
tn Denver. 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 as
abe leaned back in a chair by the
window. Helen saw how tired and
worn she looked on the steamer she
had been most attractive, and the cen
ire of much attention. But now she
was pale and listless. with haggard
lines around her eyes and mouth.
what could have happened to have
changed her In so short timer
with the tea. or the tray were two
slender glasses into which he poured
the cocktail from a silver shaker
Mrs. Merwin slipped hers eagerly. and
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
whom Mrs. Merwin had seen since.
fNa
started so violently that the tea
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.
NO, 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 Helens dismay as Mrs. Merwin
turned from the phone she suddenly
leaned against the wall and burst
into tears.
"Oh, l can't stand it any longer
can't" she sobbed They're always
calling him up-the people he owes!
And he's drinking and gambling away
all his money"
For a moment Helen hardly knew
what to say, then she made a 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 ne knew, try /
ing TO promote some other stock. |
That. too, had been a failure, and now
they had not even money enough to /
nav their hotel bill-and they owed /
Tor three weeks.
But why do you keep these ex /
pensiVe rooms?' venturec Helen. .
Couldn't you stay at some cheaper
hotel or even at a boarding house" Z
yes, 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. ne always
gpent 1t so freely. If they didn
think that, they wouldn't keep Civ
ing US credit in the restaurant-and
we've got to eat somewhere"
But II you go on running UP this
bill"--
PROMOTING.