South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1914-01-23
BY MABEL HERBERT URNER.

The Stevenses were now absorbed
in the discussion of the new apart
ment they were leasing this fall And
Helen seemed so much alone with Mr..
Summers as she had been on the back
seat of the car.
She was more and more angry with
herself for the self Inconsistencies she
unable to throw off. In some subtle
way he was making her kAenly con-
scious of his every movement and of
every infection of his voice
Oh, why had Warren not come with
them? Why had he insisted on her
coming alone? There was nothing in
| this that she could tell him: it was
all too subtle for that. And vet she
knew she never wanted to be with Mr..
Summers alone again.
When they went back TO the car he
helped her in and insisted that she
put on her wrap. He held it for her
ana drew it slowly and carefully about
her shoulders
1t had been rather cloudy, uncer-
tain night when they started And
now, to Helen's dismay, it began to
| sprinkle.
Want the curtains up back there ?"
asked Mr., Stevens.
"Oh, no-no. it's only few drops
and L love to feel it against my face"
answered Helen quickly, feeling that
to be shut in back there by the rain
curtains would only add TO the init
macy of it all.
But l can't have you getting wet
and taking cold" protested Mr.. Sum
mers.
Helen felt her face flush at the pro-
priety words, L can't have YOU" but
there was nothing she could say
| The few drops had now changed to
a fine misty rain.
! Now l must insist on having the
curtains up" as he leaned over and
/ felt the shoulders of her wrap. which
were now quite damp.
! Helen could only submit. Mr.
Stevens stopped the car and came back
| to get the curtains which were under
the seat. When the curtains were
fastened in place, it left them in COM
| plete darkness there in the deep seat
| Helen felt as though she was shut in
with hiTa from all the world.
As they sped back to the hotel
| through the now beating rain, Mr.
Summers felt the shoulders of her
wrap. and the fastening OF the curtain
! beside her, FOR she had shrunk over to
her extreme end of the seat.
Isn't the rain coming in through
the opening here" he said. Come
over this way more. I'm sure you're
getting wet.
A sudden crash Of thunder and a
dazzling glare as the lightning swept
before Shem. Helen gave II little cry.
Instantly Mr.. Summers hard covered
hers.
You're not frightened--are you -
"Oh, nO-no." quickly Withdrawing
her hand. 1T was absurd Of me TO
i scream.
1T was very natural" he answered
gently, with a Caressing note in his
voice which made her cheeks burn
hotty.
At last they drew up before the
hotel. Hardly waiting TO say good
night Helen flew up the path, across
the veranda and up to her room. War
rem was in bed, his arms flung up over
his head, fast asleep. Noiselessly she
sank into d chair beside him. With
a sigh of relief and happiness. very
softly. without Weakening him. she
rested her head on his pillow.
The unWanted and distasteful atten-
tons OF another man always made a
woman turn clingingly TO the man she
: loved.
To Helen the whole evening had
D been hateful. And now as she was
, with Warren again. she was filled with
! a delicious sense OF peace, of security
of being where she belonged.