The San Francisco call., 1913-11-08

was to sign for it
wonderingly she tore open the en-
velope. There were only few lines
hurriedly penciled-
VIII you come to the hotel2 I
would not ask you-but am in great
trouble ! know no one else to turn
10. Something happened last night
that makes everything impossible.
They have asked for our rooms-oh.
I can't write about it, Won't you
come now-as soon as you get this!
am almost desperate. You viii meet
no one-am all alone
Helen read the note again and
again. her tremulous fingers twisting
and untwisting the envelope. What
should she do? She shrank from the
thought Of going, Yet how could she
ignore this appeal2
Then ashamed of her hesitancy, she
dressed quickly for the street and in
half an hour she was at the Hotel
Asdorf-
Did she imagine it, or did the clerk
/look at her oddly when she asked him
TO announce her to Mrs. Merwin? She
felt his glance follow her as she
crossed the lobby to the elevator
There was a faint come in" to
Helen's knock. and she opened the
door to a darkened room The blinds
were drawn and the air was close and
heavy with perfume
Mrs Merwin was in bed her long
disheveled hair streaming over the
pillow. and her eyes red with weep
ing.
~oh. I'm so glad you eame-I was
afraid you wouldn't" as Helen sat
down on the edge of the bed
why. you're feverish." Helen had
drawn of her gloves and was push
ing back the tangled hair. And its
so warn. and close in here-don't you
want me to open Window
Helen lowered one from the top
without raising theb lind. AS she
came back to the bed Mrs Merwin
drew from under the pillow crum-
pied letter.
Read thatr quiveringly. They
sent it up this morning"
It was typewriter and signed by
the manager of the hotel
my Dear Madame.
after the disturbance made by
your husband last night in his in
toxicated condition. we have no
choice but to ask for your rooms.
The incIosed bill for $26S must be
settled, and the rooms vacated BY
Monday.
we have for you personally
the greatest sympathy. and regret
that this is necessary. You win
understand, however, that we
must protect the reputation Of our
house and insure our guests
AGAINST repetition Of such an
noyances. I beg to remain very
truly yours,
~ L. REYNOLDS. Manager"
It was several moments before
Helen spoke. The letter seemed to
her so crushing, so overwhelming,
she could think of nothing TO say.
Mrs. Merwin had buried her face in
the pillows and was sobbing afresh-
But why did they write to you2"
faltered Helen. Surely Mr.. Merwin
was the one"
"Oh, they know he hasn't been sober
for week. He could hardly stagger
out of here this morning. And he
hasn't the money. He can't pay this
bIni oh, he ean'tt"
Helen. at a loss to know what to
say, kept chafng the hand that clung
10 hers What kind Of a scene had
Mr.. Merwin made? It had been serf-
GUS enough, added to their unpaid
bill. to cause the manager to write
this note.
THE SHAME
aoh. the shame of it--the disgrace
Of itrs sobbed Mrs. Merwin. ITO be
asked to leave hotel! I shall never
want to see any one again"
Helen started up TO answer a
knock at the door. It was the cham
bermaid wanting to know if she could
do the rooms now.
.No-nos not yet Mrs Merwin
tent very well. She will call you
when she wants you"
That's the third time she's been
here this morning" moaned Mrs Mer-
win. she's anxious to get into see
what I'm doing, oh. they all know
IT. The benboys, the maids-they all |
know we've been asked to leave"
'No-no, I'm sure they don't, The
manager would not let the help know |
such things"
But even as she said It Helen /
thought of how oddly the clerk had |
looked at her when she asked for
Mrs Merwin.
''Monday-they've given us till Mon
day" Historically. "This is Thursday /
-four days! What if Frank can't
raise the money? What viii we do
then? What will"
She started and elutched Helen's |
hand as the phone rang.
SAY I'm sick-that can't speak to
any one" she entreated. as Helen rose
to answer 1t.
"HelIoi Yes. Mrs |
Merwin is i'll and can not be disturbed
this morning. whog i
Oh, just momentn
IT'S Mr. Merwin. whispered Helen. |
her hand over the receiver. He says
he must speak to you"
Mono. don't want to speak to
hirn-not after last night" excitedly
Il think you'd better come"