Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1914-03-21

Two circulars, the ice bill, milk bill,
organized charity.
Helen looked over this mail with
a distinct frown under the dainty
lace frill of her morning cap. To-
day was the third; her hope that
Mrs. Thurston would mail her a check
on the first or second was shatter-
ed
1t had been almost two months
now since Helen had lent her the
twenty-five dollars. She had prom
ised to pay it back within two weeks,
and every morning Helen had looked
eXpectantly through the mail.
But there had been no check-not
even a note of explanation. At least
If she could not send the money, she
could have written; but Mrs. Thurs
ton had maintained a discreet silence.
1t was this silence, the fact that
she had not called or written or even
phoned that made Helen so furiously
indignant. And now that her mother
needed every cent that she could send
her the thought of this twenty-five
dollars ranked more and more.
Her feelings toward Mrs. Thurston
had wholly changed. She wondered
how she could ever have been SO fond
of her. What did her silence mean ?
Did she intend simply to ignore the
incident and never return the money?
Helen had determined that If she
did not hear from Mrs. Thurston by
the first she would write her. Why
shouldn't she? If Mrs. Thurston had
the effrontery to borrow this money
and not return 1t, surely she need feel
no delicacy in asking for 1t.
Absolutely she wtnt to her desk and
took out her best note paper. She
had never written note of this kind
and it took considerable nibbling of
the pen handle.
MY Dear Mrs. Thurston: You
may remember that l lent you
twenty-five dollars with the un-
derstanding that you were TO re-
turn it within two weeks. 1t Is
now over a month, and l am writ
ing to ask If you will kindly send
this to me at once. Sincerely.
HELEN L. CURTIS"
No, this would not do. 1t was too
curt. The You may remember, -
mention the exact date of the loan.
She looked this up in her check book
and found it was on the twelfth of
January. More nibbling OF the pen
and Helen tried again.
Dear Mrs. Thurston: l am sure
it is only a matter of oversight on
your part that you have neglected
to return the amount / lent you
January IL. If it is convenient, I
should like a check this week. A
number of things have come up
lately that have made my little
bank account very low. and / shall
appreciate IL If you will send this
very soon. Very sincerely
HELEN L. CURTIS"
Hesitatingly she folded this note
into an envelope. sealed and stamped
It, Even then she wavered. Had she
made it strong enough? How had she
.worded that phrase about wanting
the check this week? A thin paper
knife slipped easily under the not yet
dried flap.
No, no, it would not do. 1t was
too apologetic. What If Mrs. Thurs
ton should not answer it? If she had
ignored sending the check. she might
ignore too this polite little note.
Why subject herself TO that posi-
BILE humiliation? Why write at all
Would it not be much simpler and
quicker to telephone?
Already her hand was on the re-
ceiver of her desk phone. The next
moment she had given Central the
number.
Mrs. Thurston? Just minute
drawled the voice of the boy at the
switchboard, and she heard the click
as he connected her with Mrs. Thurs.
toms apartment
1t was Mrs. Thurston's maid who
answered.
Il wish to speak to Ms. Thurs
ton." Helen's voice was coldly curt.
who is 1t, please?"
This was both irritating and dis.
concerting. She had forgotten that
she had alwcys to give her name
when phoning Mrs Thurston.
Who is it, please?" insisted the
girl.
Mrs. Curtis" snapped Helen.
A moments walt In which she wa.
almost certain she heard the SOUND
of whisperings.
Mrs. Thurston is not in just now
Will you leave any message?"
Helen felt her cheek burn agains
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