South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1914-01-24
THEY LEAVE THE BEACH
AND RETURN TO TOWN ON
AN EARLY TRAIN.
BY MABEL HERBERT URNER.

, two old maid school teachers, who had
spent their vacation at the hotel, had
the opposite seat.
To Helen with her home and wife
loving instincts. a woman struggling
through life alone seemed more or
less pathetic. And now she felt sure
there was something wistful IN the
eyes of these two old maids as they
watched Winifred. who was holding
tight TO a small Teddy bear. A sud
den sense of gratitude filled Helen's
heart as she thought of how much
she had compared to these women.
Her husband and her baby. All.
yes, that was great deal. she was
proudly conscious when Warren help
ed her and the nurse girl out, ana then
cOurteously held open the ous door
for the school teachers.
The trunk and suit cases were al
ready on the platform.
The train was just due. Warren hur-
died into the baggage room 10 get the
checks, while Helen and the nurse
| girl waited outside.
And again Helen had a feeling of
pity for the two old maids who had to
| get their own tickets and check their
own baggage.
Yes, it was good. ito be taken care
of"
Now the sound of the inrushing
| train as IL swept dIOunu the COi W
and bore down on them with clang-
| ing bell and loudly escaping steam.
| Here don't stand so near" War
rem pushed Helen back roughly.
/ Don't you know better than TO stand
as close as that2"
! But Helen didn't mind the gruffness
of his tone. for it was after all part
| of the being looked after" that she
so loved.
Warren led the way through the
| last coach before they found two va
cant seats together. The nurse girl
! Winifred and the two satchels were
settled in the first and Helen and
| Warren just behind.
"Oh. isn't it close in here. can you
raise the Window" asked Helen.
You'll be covered with SCOT"
I But we must have some air-it's
sitting"
Warren reached over to raise the
window but it stuck fast.
I'll have to get there can't
/ open it from here
She moved over while he put his
knee on the seat and strained at the
/ window. Still it refused to &c up.
"Oh, then never mind, dear" see
! ing he was losing his temper. Wait
| until the conductor comes by.
But to be thwarted in any effort
always incensed him. And now as he
1 NilltN Ills NnUlt SllEllS III against H.
his hand slipped and hit sharply
| against the woodwork
"Oh, I'm so sOrry-did it hurt
| you?"
He rubbed his knuckles with NUT
! tered oath.
"Oh. dear. you've skinned the
/ knuckle I'm so sorry. There's some
witch hazel in the handbag-don't
! you want it?"
He shook her hand from his arm.
! NO, I don't All 1 want is TO be let
alone You're never content with
| things as they are. You're always
wanting something else. never saw
such a woman. It's either too hot or
| too cold or too much air or not
| enough. Now" drawing news
| paper from his pocket. I'D like 10
| have the rest OF this trip in peace"
Helen bit her lip and turned to
| gaze out at the flying fields. blinking
hard 10 keep back the tears. And she
| only asked him 10 raise the window
She was conscious that the two old
! maids. who had taken a seat a little
1 further back across the aisle. were
watching her closely. Warren's voice
/ had been so loud that even through
the noise OF the train they heard
| plainly
And this time their gaze was the
plying one.