South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1914-06-16
BY MABEL HERBERT URNER.

more pronounced Slowly Helen
climbed>the three fights. There were
rubber trcads over the worn stairway
carpet, and here and there the white
plaster cleaned through the SCARED
wall paper
Breathless from the unaccustomed
stairs Helen knocked timidly at the
door Of what she thought was the
third floor back. 1t was Mrs. Randall
VINO answered the knock flushing
painfully as she recognized Helen. But
after the embarrassment OF the first
few moments Helen felt she was glad
TO see her
She had been sewing. and as soon as
Helen was seated she took up her
work again.
The Work She Did.
I'm making these she said simply,
holding up dainty bOudoir cap, for
the Woman's Exchange. OF course.
they won't buy them. but they let me
put them there on sale"
Then, as though glad OF the chance
TO talk to some one OF the hardshtps
OF the last few months she told Of
giving up their apartment. There was
| no way Of keeping it unless they went
into debt
And at least" with a sort of fierce
| pride, 1--WE don't owe a penny. We
may have ben foolish and extravagant
| in living up to our income, but we
never lived beyond II. And so we
choose this nth a glance about the
dingy, cheaply furnished room, rather
than go into debt now"
I'm sure you were right" muir
INJURED Helen. This Is much the bet
ter way"
And we were fortunate in sublet-
ting the apartment furnished for $40
a month--S4O more than our rent
L Q -
and a tiny hall room for Frank; we're
trying to keep him in school; Eleanor
and Betty are with their grandmother.
and Betty are with their grand
mother"
Then you go out for your meals?"
asked Helen.
II get our breakfast here" nodding
toward a percOlatOr and a tin box on
the table. And we go to some little
restaurant for dinner; we found one
that's both clean and cheap"
"Oh, I think you've been very brave.
This is so much better than trying TO
keep UP appearances by going into
debt. And when Mr. Randall does get
on his feet again you won't have any
thing hanging over you"
yes, If he ever does" with a break
in her voice. ooh, I feel now that l
can stand anything If only he doesn't
get respondent. But the papers are
Iuil OF the lIdSeuleS Oh tu
men who can't find employment. Did
you read just yesterday about that
man, an expert boOkkeeper I think he
was. who had lost his position and
couldn't get another because OF his
gray hair? He left a note saying he
wouldn't be n burden on his relatives.
I hid the paper, so Henry wouldn't
see it,"
Helen's Admiration.
"Oh, you mustn't let yourself think
Of such things" protested Helen. I'm
sure there're q great many firms who
would be glad TO have a man of mr..
RandalPs experience and character"
Then she added. a little awkwardly,
And you mustn't shut yourself up
here too close. We should so like
to have you and Mr.. Randall for din
ner. Could you come some evening
next week?"
That's very kind Of YOU" flushing
slightly, but ] don't think either
Henry or 1 could so anywhere just
yet Later, perhaps when things are
little more certain, we'd love to
come"
When Helen rose to leave. she
glanced hesitatingly at the boudoir
cap. She wanted TO offer to buy II,
but was afraid Mrs. Randall might re-
sent anything that even bordered on
charity. Perhaps IL would be much
more delicate to get one from the
Woman's Exchange.
As she went down the stairs, now so
dark that she had TO feel her way by
the railing. her thoughts were full OF
Mrs Randall and of ways she might
help her without hurting her pride.
But somehow the problem of the
Randalls' future did not seem so hope
less as ii was two months ago. when
she had left their luxurious apartment
with Mrs. Randalrs helpless cry of
What shall we do? We can't live
cheaper than we're living NOT, ring
ing in her ears.
Adversely seemed to have strength
ened her. as adversely so OF ten does.
And Helen had a profound admira-
ton for her determined effort TO
keep out Of debt.
When she thought of the many fam
lilies who under similar circumstances
go on living on their tradesmen and
borrowing from their friends, the
Randalls' radical methods Of giving
up everything until they coudld get
another start seemed TO Helen a very
fine and splendid thing.
And she could not believe that any
further adversely would follow where
such an overwhelming blow had been
so bravely met.