South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1913-11-28
SECOND YEAR OF
MA RRIED LIFE
In Which Helen Has Tea With an
Old Friend and Revsves Old Mem
cries.
BY MABEL HERBERT URNER.


The music, the lights. the palms
all the alluring surroundings of q
fashionable hotel tea room. Helen
leaned back in her chair and gazed
at the handsome, well-groOmed man
opposite her with feeling as though
she were living in a novel. She felt
quite sure that the heroine of a mod
ern ''best-sellerP must have some of
the same sensations.
For the first time, since she mar
ried, she was sitting at the table alone
with man who was not her hus-
band. And the fact she was not quite
sure of the prophecies of the situation
gave to it an added glamour.
An hour ago, as she came out of n
Fifth av. shop, she had almost run
into big, storm cOated hurrying
man.
Il beg your pardon" he murmured
hastily and was about to dash on,
when he stopped short:
why. ii can't be-"
Her startled gaze changed to a
happy recognition as she held out her
hand with laughing, Il guess it is
When the first surprise of the meet
ing was over, and VIII Farrell had
explained how Ia was on here from
Colorado, where he had been living
for the last few years. he insisted that
and-"talk."
"Why shouldn't she?"
After a moments hesitation. Helen
consented. Why shouldn't she have
tea with VIII Farrell? The fact that
they had once been engaged should
not matter now.
He guided her through the crowd
ed hotel corridor and into a secluded
corner of the palm room"
As he gave his coat, hat and stick
TO the waiter. and ran his hand
through his hair, in the old familiar
way, Helen was filled with a rush of
memories.
Here. let's get through with this
order-so we can talk. Will You have
anything besides tea-a glass of sher-
ry first?"
oh, no-just tea and mullins"
He laughed. so you still love
toasted mullins as much as ever?"
She nodded, her color deepening.
And now | suppose you want q
foot-stool and unsalted butter?''
She laughed. Yes, my wants
haven't materially changed"
mo, but everything else has" he
answered gravely.
There was moments pause in
which Helen carefully rearranged the
her eyes it was to find his fixed on
her.
Are you happy" he demanded.
She started. why, how cap you?
OF course. I'm happy"
oh. there's no occasion for sir or
how dare yOu'-I am asking You q
perfectly simple question. are you
why. Of course. of COURSE I'm
happy"
AS happy as YOU thought YOU
would be?"
Why. YOU haven't any right"
yes. I think l have. You put me
aside for man YOU thought would
make you happier. That should give
me the right TO ask YOU If he has
"Of course, he has, Oh. Why do
YOU talk like this? You Will make
me sorry I came
Very will gently. I'VE will talk
OF something else
And then he kept carefully away
from personalities as he told of his
ranch III Colorado and some mining
interests that had proven most profit
able.
There was about him the uneon-
scious force, the power, the inde-
scribable air OF a man of large al
fairs.
And Helen felt a vague sense OF
peace and restfulness in his presence.
Her life had SO long been made OF
a strained nervous attempt TO keep
Warren in good humor, and 10 avoid
displeasure. that 10 lean back now
and be entertained, 10 feel that she
was not in an atmosphere Of irrita-
bility and criticism, but OF approval
and admiration, was for her new
and enjoyable sensation.
Without analyzing all this, she only
knew that the moment was a very
pleasant one. IL was not until she
noticed the big clock at the end OF
the room that she realized how long
they had been there
"Oh, I must go-I had no idea it
was so late as she began TO draw
on her gloves.
Outside he mOtioned for taxicab
and they We're whirled up the avenue.
Helen leaned back keenly conscious
OF the man beside her and OF his
consciousness OF her.
The Invitation 40 Dinner.
When they reached her apartment
he helped her out and stood bare
headed as he heid her hand.
There was an awkward moment,
and then she said nervously,
S0h, YOU must come 10 dinner with