South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1913-09-27
MARRIED LIFE THE
FIRST YEAR AFTER
THE HONEYMOON
BY Mabel Herbert Urner.

x X X X X x X x X X * X X
The weeks passed swiftly. The
pile of diminutive clothes in the low
er drawer of Helen's dress grew
daily. Now and then a sharp fear
clutched at her heart. If they should
never be needed or if something shout
never bee needed or if something
should happen!
And though she fought against it.
there came TO her at times still an
other fear. If the little garments
should be needed-and if yet if She
If she should never see them worm
She tried to keep these thoughts
from Warren. She felt that in some
way ii reflected on her wOmanliness
and her love for him for her to fear
the ordeal that lay before her.
And yet sometimes she awoke in the
night and stared at the dakness, her
heart beating fast with the dread of
the unknown. She would not awaken
Warren: she knew he would reassure
and comfort her if she did. But she
felt that this was something she
should fight out alone.
The Thoughts at Night.
So many thoughts come to one at
night that would never come in the
daylight. And one that sometimes
came TO Helen in spite of her efforts
to close her mind against it was-if
anything should happen to her, would
Warren-wOuld any one ever take her
place? Would he ever
Even in her inmost heart she shrank
from the phrase marry again" Her
thoughts never formulated il that
way it was always would any one
take her place?
And then she would picture herself
forgotten, and some one else with
him-some one he might love as much
or more: some one more beautiful.
with more charm, more power to hold
him.
And would he ever think of her?
And would this other woman be jeal-
Gus of her memory? And what would
they do with her things? He would
probably have her clothes packed
away and sent to her mother But
all the furniture they had together Sc
lected for this apartm ent-what would
he do with that? Could he bear to
have il in another home with some
one else? And the signet ring she
had given him-would he take that
off? And her picture in the back of
his watch-would another picture be
there?
TortminG Herself.
And so for hours she would lie in
the darkness and torture herself as
only a very foolish little woman can.
And sometimes when the stiffness
and blacknes of the night had ac-
centuated her fears and imaginings
until they were unbearable she would
leave her bed and creep softly in be-
side Warren. Not TO awaken him.
but Just to be near him-to feel the
warmth and strength of his presence,
to drive away some of the chill fear
that possessed her.
one night he awOke TO find her be-
side him She was very still. but he
felt that she was not asleep. and as he
put out his hand he found the pillow
was wet
Helen"
Yes" very quietly.
What is il. dear
Nothing. I was only a little ner-
vous and came over here. I'm sorry
| woke YOU.
You didn't awoke myself But
what is it-you haven't been crying ,"
Mono"
But he had touched her face and
found the tearsn He put his arms
about her. There was a long silence
a tender intimate silence; both lay
looking into the darkness. At length
he asked very quietly:
Helen. are yOu--afraid2
She did not answer.
He drew her closer. Are YOU.
dear?"
sometimes. 1t was only wills
per.
MY poor little girl Very softly
NO. no. YOU mustn't pity me.
wouldn't have it different-you know
I wouldn't. Ii has brought Us close
| together we've been So happy in
these last few nonths-happier than
| I've ever been before. oh. Warren.
whatever happens-even though ]
knew-still I would not have 1t