El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1913-12-25

MI Warren drew forward a
large armchair for his moth
er and then settled himself on the
window seat with a cigar
With quick, self-cOnsciOus glance
about the room, Helen went over to
the couch where Carries two children
were playing with one OF the many
games Santa Claus had brought them
They had just come in from dinner,
the family Christmas dinner that War
Ten's mother always had at o'clock.
And now they would sit around and
talk for the rest Of the afternoon.
Helen always dreaded these holiday
dinners, and she dreaded more the
'sitting around afterWard
Warren's father, leaning back in his
big leather chair, nodded sleeplly, and
the others felt too languid to make
much attempt at conversation.
Helen began fitting a set Of dOmi-
noes into their box from the sheer need
Of doing something with her hands.
She had anticipated this trying period
after dinner and had lOnged to bring
some fancy work. But she knew War
sewing on Christmas
Looks like it's getting ready TO
snow commented Carrie, who was sit
ting by the window. How fast they're
putting up that corner building"
They're OVerbuidinE all around here.
Half Of these apartments are empty.
People won't pay the rent" grOWled
Warren's father. who owned the old
fashioned three story home they lived
in. and who hated the invasion of the
large. "All cheaply built, too. Specu-
lative ngs-eVery one Of EN-"
We were talking about Bob taking
one of those corner apartments" muir
INJURED Mrs. Curtis. He promised me
he'd go over and look at them
Nonsense, mother" protested Carrie
you know she won't be willing to live
that near the family. I venture she'll
make Bob take an apartment over there
well. Bob can't afford any $4,000
rent" announced his father decisively.
A Big Rent.
rs that what they pay?" Carrie
asked, eagerly. But they've 10 rooms
haven't they2 Just her father and
her-it's ridiculOusl It wouldn't sur
prise me if she'd make Bob stay right
Unless Bob's lost all his senses
he'll not do that" declared Warren.
grimly, getting up to look for an ash
Hell probably do just about what
she wants him to dO-thats my Opin-
ion retOrted Carrie I've seen her
only twice, but she impressed me as be-
ing very self-willed young woman"
Helen was still fitting and refitting
the dOminOes in the box. But now she
was listening with intense interest to
whom Bob was engaged.
2 How had they talked about her when
she was engaged to WARREN She often
wondered If they had referred to her as
''Helen" or Miss Allen" And now she
felt quick resentment that they had not
even mentioned Louise's name, speak
ing Of her merely as she" and her"
AS Helen both liked and admired
Louise, she longed to say something in
her defence.
@WeH the old mans pretty solid
isn't he2" demanded Mr. Curtis of War
rem Bob doesn't seem inclined to tell
me much, but I looked him up on my
own account"
ooh. / guess he's solid all right" ad-
=
IF she makes my boy happy, it
doesn't matter so much about the
money said Mrs. Curtis, gently.
Helen turned to Warren's mother
with glow of sympathy. She could
have Rugged her for that, remark.
We'll she'll not make him very
happy if she's the headsurong, wilIful
miss that I take her to be-" grunted
Mr.. Curtis.
why. thought she was very
sweet" ventUred Helen. "and she seems
to be a girl Of exceptional inteli-
gence'
"Eh? What's that"' demanded Mr..
Curtis sharply.
thought she seemed very sweet
and unusually intelligent for so young
girl, repeated Helen
A Strong VIII.
Humph! Well, headstronEness isn't