South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1914-04-13
Their Married
Life.
THE THIRD YEAR.
BY MABEL HERBERT URNER.

II was charming room with low
bookcases. Persian rugs and hang
inRs. Everywhere were evidences Of
foreign travel Bits Of rare pottery
and Jade. curious daggerS and swords
were strewn over the bookcases
tables and desk.
surely they wouldn't rent the
apartment like this2' exclaimed
these things?"
NO. ma'am. It's 10 he rented just
"A IL IS" and the caretaker crossed
over 10 raise the blinds. 1T belongs
70 Colonel Mawson-he's gone to-
India.
But you don't think it could be
had for less than three months
I'm afraid not. ma'am. But you
can see the agents-Edgecomb anu
Wickham. No. 152 oxford St
Helen made note OF the ADDRESS
and then stepped again 20 the door OF
the bedroom. There was a canopled
bed hung with heavy silk curtains
and the walls were covered with rare
old prints and engravings.
To Helen II looked like the stage
setting OF an English play. She could
fermsnity she had hoped TO overrule
throwing himself into one OF the
curlously carved chairs while a Jap
anese valet took off his boots and
brought him a whisky and soda.
Half an hour later Helen found her
self I'm the Office OF Edgecomb and
Wickham. house agents" After a
few minutes wait I'm the outer office
she was ushered into Mr.. Wickham.
lie was the typical frOck-coated. de-
liberate English businessman.
Tt was evidently a pleasant break in
the monOtony of his day 10 have a
charming young American rush in
and declare with her quick, impulsive
enthusiasm that she had just seen the
most ideal apartment which was
Just what she wanted. but the care
taker said IL must be rented for three
months, and she wanted it for only
one.
When Helen paused breathless. he
smilingly asked what apartment IL
was. Eagerly she gave the address.
\ Disappointment.
That's Col MawsOn's apartment
no. I'm afraid II would be Impossible
20 let that for less than three months.
# he were here himself. il is very
probable ne would make an eXcep-
ton I'm this case" implying that so
charming an applicant could not be
refused. But we've no choice in the
matter. And YOU can understand I'm
sure. why he would not wish To rent
n place OF that kind for only
month"
She had. OF course. understood that
all along but with the egOtism Of her
And where is the bath ." she asked,
the restriction.
Helen was always inclined to feel
that all rules and regulations should
be adjusted 10 suit her convenience.
She was never aggressive or assert
i've about IL. and yet SIG was often
sweetly unreasonable. She could
never see why she should not be made
an exception.
ITO find herself walking along Ok
ford st. with an estate agent in
frock coat and high hat was TO Helen
a somewhat sensation.
Her feminine intuition told her that
Mr.. WiCkham'S excessive courtesy was
due not TO his desire To rent the apart
mcnt but To mis- very evident interest
in her
II is an exceptional woman who does
not take pleasure in the knowledge
shat she has aroused admiration and
lnterest-and Helen was not an eX-
ceptional woman
IL was an old fashioned brick house
with an air OF faded elegance. \
liveried servant opened a door and
showed them the rooms.
TIC Helens surprise il was the
drawing room and the room back OF
10. htJed as "A bed room, that was TO
let
The huge rooms and high ceilings
gave such an atmosphere of grandeur
that she was aStOnished when Mr.
Wickham mentioned the price-only
three pounds a week.
mad where is the bath ." she asked.
gazing for a door that might lead
into one.
ION the third floor, madam" ans
wered the servant
ION the third floor, oh. we want
a private bath"
I'm afraid yOuU find that rather
hard 10 get III London" Ventured Mr.
Wickham. Col. Mawson was very ex-
CepuOna1 But If YOU like these rooms
after all the bath is a small mat
ter.
Helen laughed. I'm afraid Amer
leans don't think so. I'd rather have
hall room and my own bath than
all this luxury without one"
Then fearing that she had been
rude. she added hastily: "But I sup
pose were spoiled. You know we've
so many new hotels and apartments
with a bath for almost every room
that we've come TO think them a
necessity"
Outside Mr.. Wickham insisted on
Helen coming back 10 the office that
he might give her the addresses Of
several 9th er apartments.
Now If none OF these Will answer