The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1914-04-04
Married Life
the Third Year

was locked, but I'm not SO blamed
sure he wasn't there"
why would he lock the door,"
asked Helen. wouldn't his stenog-
rapher be there?"
"Oh, he hasn't kept a stenographer
for months. I've known he's been
down and out, but l didn't know he
was getting ready to leave town. I've
always thought Winthrop was straight
but guess he's hoodwinked me and
a good many others. II he doesn't pay
that three hundred before he gets out
we'll, I'll make it pretty warm for
him"
But dear if he hasn't got it,"
Hes got that much. Now l tell
you what Wen do-get on your things
and we'll go up to his home tonight.
"Oh, you don't want ME to 60, do
you?"
"Yes, / do. OF course, he may not
be trying to get away, and l want
chance to see him without letting him
know I'm suspicious. You can talk to
his wife and | can get him alone"
but won't it look strange for me
to 60 when l don't even know her.?
"Oh, that's all right. Well say we
were up in that neighborhood and !
wanted to see Winthrop. And we'd
better start soon." glancing at his
watch, they live way up around
Washington Heights"
AN AWKWARD SITUATION.
Warren still fingered at the dinner
table frowning thoughtfully over his
coffee and cigar, while Helen went In
to get ready She would much rather
not have gone. Since she did not
know Mrs Winthrop she felt the stu
alton would be a most awkward one
Its No. - West One Hundred and
Fifty-sixth street." said Warren,
glancing at the memorandum on the
back of an envelope, when few mo-
ments later Helen came out ready for
the street. "Subwayll be the quick
est"
1t seemed long trip. Warren was
frowningly silent and Helen was Won
dering what the place would be like
and how the Winthrops would receive
them.
There was a three block walk after
they left the subway, then Warren
paused before a row OF new, but
cheaply built houses.
Here we are" scanning the mum
bers over the doors.
The corner street lamp was not
bright enough to 1fge up the dark
narrow vestibule, and Warren struck
a match to read the names under the
row of letter boxes on each side.
Here 1t is, Winthrop fourth floor,
as he pressed the button.
A moments wait then the click
click" which announced that the door
was unlocked
Inside Warren led the way up the
four flights Of stairs. Helen could see
the lights streaming out from an open
door. and when they reached the
landing she saw that a little girl was
holding it open.
Then a woman appeared. slender
frail looking woman of about thirty
in a loose cheap house gown.
"Oh. it's Mr.. Curtis" flushing with
very evident embarrassment.
HIS WIFE AT HOME.
Mrs. Winthrop, this is Mrs. Curtis
We were up in this neighborhood ant
I thought I'd stop in few minute:
to see your husband"
ooh, I'm SO sorry, he isn't here" a.
she opened the door and invited then
in But If you don't mind waiting
he'll not be long"
She led them into the front room
with a murmured apology about hel
appearance.
1t was a small room with cheaI
golden oak furniture, stiff nottingham
lace curtains, and a garish red anC
green flowered rug. There was an up
right piano of unknown make and {
red velour covered couch. which a
night evidently served as bed.
Helen, who knew that Winthrop
had been at college with Warren ant
that he had married girl of yer!
Jo1, 20
help but wonder 1t was not so much
the cheapness of the furnishings al
the utter lack of taste. The place
ignorance.
1t was the home of people who hat
not known" and surely the Win
throps should know.
You have a very good view here,
remarked Warren, stepping to the win
dow 1t was the only favorable com
ment he could have made.
Yes, we get plenty Of light and al
and that's good for the children
Then. as though divining Helen
thoughts. she added hurriedly. "W
sublet this flat furnished over a yea
ago-expecting to stay only a few
months, but Mr.. Winthrop's bushes
has been so unsettled that view
stayed on. But I've missed our owl
things So" with an apologize glanc
about the room. I've never felt quit
at home here"
Here the little girl who had opene
the door came in shyly.
THE WINTHROP CHILDREN.
This is Florence" said her mother
proudly, drawing her forward an
pushing back a rebellious curly loci
Florence pulled at a rubber ban
which she had slipped around he
wrist as bracelet, and stared at ther
wonderingly.
Haven't you another little CIR
Mrs. Winthrop" asked Helen.
'Oh, yes, We have two others. Here
Alice now. Come in dear"
A child Of about four. with bea,
tiful reddish-gold hair stood hesita
ingly at the door. In her arms wa
Rugged close a tiny gray kitten. Fo
-h@ + i.