Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-06-26

answer he received. Yet, in shortsight-
ed man fashion. he refused to see his
error and made a greater one that even
ing.
Returning from the office he found
Helen almost hysterical as she bent over
little garments in a drawer. Something
in the sight threw him into a state of un-
usual irritation. Ruthlessly he closed
the drawer. locked it, and put the key
in his pocket.
''Broodins he said. never gets one
anything. I'm tired of this fancy that
you've lost everything which makes life
worth while. Why, little girl his eyes
softening. you used to tell me nothing
could ever take my place in your life!
You still have me. though latterly, re-
proachfully. I've seemed nothing.
He stopped to her where she hud-
died by the locked drawer. The smile
with which she looked at him was in
fnitely worse than the food of tears
haps, she cried. your actions have
made you seem worse than nothing
For moment their eyes challenged.
My key" she demanded. Tom dropped
il in her hand and left the room. An
other wedge had been driven.
The anniversary passed with the slight
est reference to the event. Conversation
had dwindled to a mere touching on
necessary subjects. Toms whistling days
were over; likewise his enthusiasm for
golf. Business began to claim him more
and more. And Helen was fast develop
ing into cold statue. She looked at
Toms frequently empty chair at the din
ner table duly. indifferently. and. be-
cause she was very young, began to
think calmly of what of course was in
evitable"-a separation. Yet it seemed
a subject difficult to bring up. Tom ate
his breakfast with his head buried in
the newspaper and in the evenings he
shut himself in with book
She decided to consult DR.. PridmOre
She went to him at once and found
him climbing into his stanhope. When
she told him she had come to have a
talk. he said: I'm going into the coun-
try. It's a splendid morning, and he
glanced sharply at the pale. sunken
cheeks, "a drive will do you good. Jump
in.
II was not until they were on their
way homeward that she found courage to
speak of her troubles. Then she broke
out bluntly. Doctor. Tom and l are
going to separate" she said After the
announcement she braced herself for what
she felt would come-astonishment sor-
row. possibly from such friend out
spoken Indignation.
II suppose it's incompatability." said
the doctor. That's the usual ticket
isn't it," Before her response came he
gave her a shrewd look and added: III
you two can't agree. it's wise step
You are Young. 1t won't be hard for
you to readjust. Tom especially. He's
particularly adaptable. particularly Low.
able. 1t won't take some woman long tC
find that out, and Tom
An indignant look interrupted the doc.
tor. who found ii necessary to stare ovei
the country for some moments. but wher
Helen gasped. Doctor. you are positive
~ sacrilegious,' he returned with tn,
greatest aplomb. Simply talking com
mon sense. my dear. You can't expect {
homecoming soul like Tom to live alon,
because he's made a mess of one ven
ture'
A flush OF anger crept into Iielen'.
cheeks. She turned Indignantly ava,
from him. but he was apparently obi
vious and continued soothingly '-Oi
course you understand anything | car
do for you will be cheerfully done Blu
| don't think you will have any troubl,
with Tom. for there's not much fight ii
Tom these days"
She turned TO him quickly. .'Yo,
mean" she asked
sick He looks deucedly bad" wa
the Doctors reply.
But what is it," she asked, wildly
What is it,
Il size it up as a walking typhoid,
Rrimly.
Typhoid" she breathed. why, MI
Bramwell died Of typhoid
Its q bad thing dolefully. Tom /
young. of course. and"
The doctor pulled up before Helen
gate. When he helped her down sh
whispered: III YOU see Tom don't men
ton our talk. II you could-Oh, doctor