South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1913-11-18
MARRIED LIFE THE
SECOND YEAR
BY MABEL HERBERT URNER.

For several days Warren had not
!! been himself. He had seemed wor-
ried and strangely preoccupied. To
all of Helen's anxious inquiries he re-
piled evasively. And when she per-
sisted. he had grown irritable; said
he was all right. if she would only
leave him alone.
You're sure it's not about-spec-
ulating? You haven't lost anything 2"
She asked fearfully. several times.
And he answered CURLY, "Of course
not. Can't you stop harping on
that?"
She tried to believe him. but she
was only half convinced. One night
she awOke to find him walking up
and down the room, lighted cigar in
his hand.
why Warren, what is it? Can't
you Sleep"
"Oh, I'm just nervous. that's all.
| Thought I'd get up and smoke a
while; I'll be all right when l finish
this
But, Warren
I'm all right, 1 tell you" he re-
piled. and 1 don't want to be fused
over"
She went back but not too sleep.
And for over an hour, she heard him
moving about his room. She longed
TO go to him TO ask him what was
wrong. But she knew it would only
| lrritate him.
Barely Touched His Food.
The next morning he barely touched
his breakfast, and hurried off to his
Office.
That day was a long and anxious
one to Helen. She could not keep her
/ thoughts on the baby or on her work.
/ Warren's worried face was constant
/ ly before her. And she was haunted
with a feeling OF impending trouble.
\ About two o'clock she called him up.
saying she just wanted To hear from
| hin that she could not help being
anxious. And he replied brusquely
\ that ne was all right but had no time
to answer foolish telephone calls.
Helen left the phone with quivering
| lipe And she tried to excuse his
curtness-perhaps she shouldn't have
telephoneS when he was SO busy.
| 1t was late when he came home
! Dinner had been waiting some time,
| One glance at his pale, haggard face
! verified all Helen's fears. Instinct
lively she ran and put her arms about
him.
ooh, Warren-Warren what is it?'
/ For q moment he stood passive, ther
he shook her off angrily.
Nov. lets not have any herolcs
I've had all l can stand today without
that"
But 1 Want to Help You.
But l want to help you. car
bear ANYTHING if YOU will only tell me
what it is. and let me help you.
II can bear anything.
Well you can't help me-excep'
By leaving me alone. When I've any
thing to tell you. I'll let you know"
Helen turned away to hide hel
Helen turned away to hide hel
tears Why did he always repel her
WHY did ne always resent her sym
PATTY; her desire TO help?
Dinner ready?" he asked abruptly
Eyes. dear; it has been ready some
time"
We'll, let's have 1t then. haven
eaten anything today"
Helen hurried out to help Della pu
the dinner on the table. But Warner
could not eat. After few moment
he pushed back his chair. and with ;
muttered exclamation, left the able
Helen depressed her desire TO follow
him. for she knew he did not wan
her. But she could not eat although
she remained at the table and mad'
pretense Of finishing her dinner.
When she went into the sitting room
Warren had some papers covered VIII
figures spread out before him.
He did not look up; so she got on
her sewing and sat down quietly OF
the other side OF the table. Although
she kept her eyes on her work. sh'
was tensely conscious OF every scratch
OF his pen and of his white set fac
as he bent over the figures.
II had come at last-the loss II
speculation that she had so long fear
ed. She felt certain OF ii nOw-with
sickening heart-heavy certainty. How
much had he lost? Was II more thar
they could repay. Oh, II he woul'
only tell her! The facts could be N
harder than the sick fears which fille'
her now. But she dared not question
him any more.
The Strain OF silence.
She could hear Della moving a00u
! in the dining room putting herd dish 2
away. In a few minutes she woul'
he through and 60 10 her room. Tina
! would mean that IL was almost eigh'
How much longer would Warren ng
ure there in silence2 She wondere'
II other husbands put their WiVe
from them in time OF trouble.
There was no sound from tn
kitchen or dining room now; Deli'
had finished. Everything was still
i exceDt for the scratching OF Warren