The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1914-05-27

most generous man in the world. But
lately everything has gone against him
and he's drinking! Oh, l can't tell
you-he hasn't been himself for days.
And last night"-again she gave way
to sobs.
A knock at the door, and she started
up with haunted look.
DO you want me to answere it,"
asked Helen.
She sobbed, pushing back her hair
and brushing away the tears. But It
was only a bellboy with a large pack
age.
! "Oh. it's that evening gown from
Ardman's." carelessly.
Then seeing Helen's look of surprise
she added, hastily:
/ Il shouldn't have ordered it, but it
was week before last when Frank felt
sure he was putting through big deal.
We saw it in the window. and l liked
it. You see" plaintively, "he wants
me to have everything. We've an &C
count at Ardman's, and he told me to
have it charged. OF course, l didn't
know things were going to be so bad
! Cant you return it, suggested
Helen, gently. If you'd explain,
| "OulOn tuey take IL DdCk
! "No-no, they've altered it now.
That's why they've kept it so long. Oh,
! I suppose it won't matter" recklessly
when the crash comes hundred dol
lars or more won't make an differ
ence."
With sudden impulse she took a
knife from the tea tray and cut the
string of the box
HER SAD STORY.
Don't you want to see the dress?'
with a harsh little laugh. ''lll wear
1t down to dinner tonight. and We'll
look so prosperous that the hotel won't
send us a bill for another week. Oh
I've learned to pretend, to act tC
sham" bitterly. It's part of Franks
business assets to have me expensive
ly gowned. 1t gives people confidence
in his schemes. Oh, yes, I'm an idea
promoters wife,
Helen shrank from this bitterness
almost more than from her tears.
There" as she shook out the gra
gile evening gown, cleaning with pear
couldn't pay our hotel bill"
Then she turned to Helen almost
fiercely.
I
You mustn't think Frank isn't honest
in his schemes. He is! Somehow he
always believes in them. He's always
sure he's going to make a fortune fol
himself and for somebody else. But
when think of all the people thai
have invested in his promotions anC
have lost, it almost drives me mad!
And yet" defiantly, cts their fault
tool They shouldn't he so anxious t(
make something for nothing. I've
grown to hate them, too! Oh, l hate
it all-this feverish, uncertain, schem
ing life is killing mel"
There was so little that Helen coulc
say to comforther. This was life o.
which she knew nothing, this living or
a volcano, as it were, and never know
ing when the upheaval would come.
1t was almost six before she had the
heart to leave.
I'm afraid l cant stay any longer
hate to leave you alone, but Mr.. Cur
tbs always gets home at half-past, ant
l must be there them
"Oh, yes, / don't wan to keep you,
helplessly. Il suppose Frank will b'
here sometime this evening. If HI
doesn't come I'll go down to dinner
alone feel that everybody know
we owe that bill. Oh, the humiliation
of it-you don't know-you don
.. know
1t was quite dark when Helen reach
ed the street. She hurried home fillet
with brooding, anxious thoughts of tn
woman she had just left
Above everything else. Helen had al
innate horror of debt. To owe hote
bill, and to be compelled to live OF