El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1914-11-28

TELEN, Walking slowly along
Madison avenue. stopped at last
y \ before an old fashioned brown
stone house and looked up at the num-
Der over the door. This must be where
Laura lived, and yet the outside of the
house seemed so different from any,
thing she had imagined. Somehow she
could never imagine Laura the wife OF
4 wealthy man, time seemed so short
since the old days when Laura had had
one room in an uptown apartment and
had bitterly complained of the small
chance a woman had alone in New
York.
a few minutes later by a neat maid
who showed her into large room on
one side of the hall and said that she
would tell Mrs. Richards. Helen had
been trying ever since she had re-
turned from the shore to call on Laura
but something had always interviewed
and Winifred's operation had worried
her so that nothing had been enjoy
able until it was over.
The room in which she was sitting
was handsomely furnished with old
fashioned and very heavily carved fur
niture. Helen thought that everything
looked as though it might have been in
the family for many years and as
Laura told her later that was the case
The walls were heavily tapestried, and
several exquisite paintings hung here
and there, some modern works and
one or two OF the old school
There was a full length portrait Of
a beautiful woman dressed in glittering
white material which was obviously
some cOncoction of the artist, and near
bv was the picture of a child painted
evidently some years ago, for the little
girl in the picture, who might have
been taken for THE Age of Innocence"
was only about five, and Helen remem-
bered that Laura had told her that Mr.
Richards daughter was eleven. Helen
was fascinated by the picture. She
wondered vaguely if little Joan Rich
ards were as beautiful now as she had
been several years ago and was stlll
gazing at the portrait when Laura came
into the room.
Helen, is it really you? Why,
thought you were never coming to see
me"
Laura Asks Helen to Go to Her Domain.
And I thought I'd never get here, so
much has happened since I saw you
well, let's go upstairs into my own
domain. l think it will be more cheer
full. and we can have a good old fash
toned talk"
Helen followed Laura upstairs into
a charming little sitting room, done in
rose colored cretonne.
This is my own special sanctum
where I work and read and really feel
like myself. 1 don't let every one up
here, you know, but oh, Helen, it seems
so good to see yOu!'
And you, dear, are you happy? I
was surprised to get your announce
ments. I thought you were not to be
married until later"
"At first we did think that would
be better, but after all there was no
reason why we should wait. and 1
needed the rest, and so we Just got
present but a friend Of Mr.. Richards
and Joan. Oh, Helen. you must see my
little girl. I am so very proud of her."
rs that her picture downstairs? 1
never saw such beautiful child. Is
she really as pretty as that?'
More So because she is older now.
She isn't home from school yet. 1 al
ways give her permission to stay out
until $3.50 if it is clear and she walks
with some of the other girls and one
OF the teachers"
Laura" said Helen suddenly, do
you know that you have grown to be
a very stunning looking woman
Laura flushed and smiled happily,
looking at Helen almost shyly.
Il think it's Just because / am so
very happy" she said softly, land, then,
OF course I don't have TO think Of eX-
pense when 1 am shopping.
Girl Much Interested in HeIen's Girl.
Il am very proud of my home went
on Laura, conscious that Helen admired
her dress and proud OF the tact InaI she
could wear gowns of which Helen ap-
proved. "Of course, we have not been
in it long, and I have met few Of Mrs.
Richards friends, but this winter we
shall probably do some entertaining. 1
want you and Mrs Curtis to come over
TO dinner some time soon. Do you know,
Helen, I can never forget all that you
have done for me-never!'
"Au that 1 have done for you"
Knocked Helen laughingly! why, I'd
like to know what I have done-noth-
ing so wonderful that I can remember"
At that moment the door was opened
softly and a little girl stood upon the
threshold.
Come over and meet Mrs. Curtis.
dear" said Laura sweetly, and the
child came over obediently and slipped
a cool little hand into Helen's as she
said How do you dO?'
Helen was almost spenbound at the
child's loneliness. Her hair was a pc
culiar shade, almost red, but more Of
n russell. color, with plenty Of warmth