Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1913-11-01

from here-can't you come
in and have some tear
Helen hesltated, then yielded to
Mrs, Merwins urgent invitation.
She had met the Merwins on the
steamer They had sat at the same
table on the return voyage and seen
great deal OF each other during the
trip. And now Mrs. Merwin's greet
ing, as they met Unexpectedly on
Fifth avenue. was most cordial
Don't you want to come up to the
rooms? It's much quieter. and I'll
order tea up there she suggested
as they pushed through the heavy
revolving door of the Hotel Asdort.
The atmosphere ana appointments
OF a big. luxurious hotel had always
a certain charm for Helen. d charm
that would probably be dispellea
should she live at one for any length
OF time. 900,
They left the elevator at the eighth
eoor and Mrs Merwin led the way
IN the hall to an expensive suite OF
bedroom sitting room and bath
She telephoned down for the tea
ordering with it two cocktails
"Oh. yes, we must have something
| to drink" as she hung up the receiver
I've been blue all day! ON, tnlhk
New York is the most lonely place
| III be so glad when we get a"aS.
Put you're so pleasantly situEed
hare" protested Helen, CHANGING
around the attractive rooms. And
Ion't Won and this hotel very good?
Zoo ajwavs heard that the service
| here was excellent -
ooh IL almost hate 1t! I've oeen
90 unhappy ever since we came!
Holen looked up, surprised at the
| tremor in her voice.
you know we'd planned to go on
IN Denver. but-but Mr.. Merwin's
business has kept us here. Now I
don't know when wen get away
she had laid aside her hat, and as
che leaned back in a chair by the
window. Helen saw how tired and
worn she looked. on the steamer she
mad been most attractive, and the CEN
ire of much attention. But now she
was pale and 1istless. with haggard
lines around her eyes and mouth.
What could have happened to have
changed her In so short q time?
In a few moments the waiter came
with the tea on the tray were two
| the cocktail from a silver shaker
Mrs. Merwin slipped hers eagerly. and
a faint color relieved her pallor
Momentarily it seemed to cheer her.
and they talked OF the people they
had met on the steamer. several of
whom Mrs. Merwin had seen since.
Then the phone rang. and she
started so violently that the tea
ha
ing. The phone was on the wall by
the door and Helen could not help
but notice how her hand trembled
when she took down the receiver
SHE BREAKS DOWN.
No. Mr.. Merwin is not here =.
I'm sorry. but don't know anything
about that I'm sure Mr.. Merwin
will make 1t all right. Yes, as
soon as he comes In
Hardly had she left the phone when
the bell rang again.
mr.. Merwin Is not in. No, he hasn't
an office In New York. At six2 He
may be here then. but I'm not sure
To Helen's dlsmay as Mrs Merwin
turned from the phone she suddenly
leaned against the wall anu Duisl
into tears.
ooh, can't stand 1t any longer
oan'tw she sobbed They're always
calling him up--the people he owes!
And he's drinking and gambling away
all his money"
For a moment Helen hardly knew
what to say, then she made strained
and awkward attempt to comfort her.
But the emotions which had evidently
been pent up for days were finding
expression, and she sobbed out to
Helen the whole wretched story.
The mining scheme that Mr.. Mer-
win had been promoting in London
had fallen through when they
reached New York. He had borrowed
money from every one he knew, try
Ing to promote some other stock.
That, too. had been a failure, and now
they had not even money enough to
nav their hotel bill--and they owed
for three weeks.
But why do you keep these ex-
oensive rooms?" ventured Helen.
Couldn't you stay at some cheaper
hotel. or even at a boarding houseT
Yes, but we can't leave until we
nav the bill We can't even take
cheaper rooms here, for that would
make them suspicious. They think
Mr. Merwin has money. he always
gpent it so freely. II they didn't
think that, they wouldn't keep CIV
ing US credit In the restaursnt-and
we've got to eat somewhere"
But II you go on running up this
bnl"-
ALWAYS PROMOTING.