The Washington herald., 1914-09-21

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Helen did not answer
With tremulous fingers she wal
tearing at the margin of the Final
Extra with its faring war head
lines.
There's no risk, ] tell you" per-
sisted Warren. "London's all right
and IN be back in less than a month,
Now for Heavens sake cut the hys-
terra. Business here is deadl I'm
not making enough to pay the Office
rent. If I've got a chance like this
I'D be a chump not to take il"
Helen swallowed hard at the lump
in her throat:
"Jove, I'll have to hustle to meet
Griffin at 8:3o," glancing at his
watch. You'd better be getting my
things together. That small steam
er trunk in the storeroom"
She nodded.
well, give me the storeroom key
and I'll have the elevator boy bring
il up. Get me an umbrella, will
you? Drilling when I came in"
Helen got the key and the umbrel-
Ia, and followed him to the door,
As he took his hat from the hall
rack. he stopped to kiss her with a
brisk:
Now don't be silly. You ought
to be deuced glad this came my
way. Don't sit up for me. Grifin's
going over the whole case tonight
only chance we'll have" And with
a cheerful $50 long" Warren step
ped into the elevator.
From the front room window
Helen gazed down at the umbrella
that came out and bobbed up the
street She was still dazed from the
announcement he had made at din
ner with such brutal abruptness.
Mr.. Griffin had today offered him
5000 If he would make a rush trip
to London to look after some inter
est in a stock company that had be-
come involved since the war.
Helen had heard the details only
vaguely. Sailing on the ST. Paul
tomorrow noon" was the part that
had scared into her mind. Warren
had tabooed her fears. London was
safe, perfectly safe, and he would
be home in less than a month.
Three thousand and all expenses
paid-it was an offer to jump at.
A deafening thunder crash, a zig
ragged streak of lightning-and the
rain came down. in sheets. II was
the climax. as it were. to her own
terrifying thoughts. The curtains
were soaked before her hands, weak
with trembling, could put down THE
windows.
Then, with her nerves still aqriv-
er, she hurried to answer a start
ling ring. What could it be? No
one would call so latel
Ii was the bellboy with the trunk.
"Mr. Curtis said you wanted this
mp tonight"
"Oh, yes, just-just take it in there
in the bedroom
With the lump Tightening in her
throat, Helen looked down at the
trunk which bore the labels OF their
London trip two years ago. She had
been going with him then. She
thought of all the Joyous prepara-
ton for that tripl
Now he was going alone-with all
Europe at warl What might not
happen? Her mind was filled with
lrid pictures of possible dangers.
How could he consider the money 4
compensation?
Mechanically Helen unlocked the
trunk The tray was empty. I'm
derneath were two steamer rugs, a
shawl strap. a heavy trunk strap,
Warren's travelling cap and an air
pillow.
Slowly she took out the things and
scooped up the scattered moth balls.
For a long time she knelt there, the
rugs on her knee, fumbling with the
balls she had thrown INTO the cap.
Her breath came fast. Her hand
clenched tight over the crunching
balls. Then she started up, threw
the things on the bed, rushed out to
the hall and rang peremptorily for
the elevator. Not until the car shot
up did she take her tense finger from
the button.
"There's-there's another steamer
trunk in the basement, breathlessly,
that Mr.. Curtis forgot. We're
sailing tomorrow. so l must pack
tonight. VIII you bring it up at
once"
In a few moments the trunk was
in her room. With a desperate. fe-
verish haste she began to pack
Warren's trunk first and then her
own.
There was no hesitancy or uncer-
tainty in her movements. Her usual
indecision was swept away by res
olute decisiveness. Her tense ex-
citement acted as a stimulant that
urged her on.
It was alter twelve and she was
crowding in her tray the last few
things when she heard his key in the
door.
Hello. you up yet? Take this,
will you?" thrusting at her the drip
ping umbrella. Then as he entered
his room: Got the trunk packed? !?
That's fine. Put in plenty of under
wear? Don't know when I'll get
any washing done"
az o,,t in Ave suits' her voice mis-