The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1914-06-27
Married Life
the Fourth Year
ev MABEL HERBERT URNER.

BY MABEL 6eHoGnt OnNCn.
Two circulars, the ice bill. milk bill
cleaners bill and an appeal from an
organized charity.
Helen looked over the mail with a
distinct frown under the dainty lace
frill of her morning cap. Today was
the third her hope that Mrs. Thurs
ton would mail her a check on the
first or second was shattered.
1t had been almost two months now
since Helen had lent her the twenty
five dollars. She had promised to pay
it back within two weeks. and every
morning Helen had looked expectantly
through the mail
But there had been no check-not
even note of explanation. At least,
if she could not send the money, she
could have written; but Mrs. Thurston
had maintained discreet silence.
1t was this silence, the fact that she
had not called or written or even
phoned that made Helen so furiously
indignant. And now that her mother
needed every cent that she could send
her the thought of this twenty-five
dollars ranked her more and more.
Her feelings toward Mrs. Thurston
had wholly changed. She wondered
how she could ever have been so fond
of her. What did her silence mean
Did she intend simply to ignore the
incident and never return the money
Helen had determined that if she
did not hear from Mrs. Thurston by
the first she would write her. Why
shouldn't she? If Mrs. Thurston had
the effrontery to borrow this money
and not return it, surely she need fee
no delicacy in asking for it.
ResOutely she went to her desk anC
took out her best note paper. She haC
never written note of this kind anC
il took considerable nibbling of the
pen handle.
My Dear Mrs. Thurston: You
may remember that | lent you
twenty dollars with the under
standing that you were to return
it within two weeks. 1t is now
over month. and | am writing to
ask if you will kindly send this to
me at once.
Sincerely,
HELEN l.. CURTIS"
No, this would not do. 1t was too
curt. The You may remember,
sounded sarcastic. And she SHOULD
mention the exact date of the loan
She looked this up in her check bool
and found it was on the II of Jan
uary. More nibbling of the pen ant
Helen tried again.
Dear Mrs. Thurston: ! am sur,
it is only matter of oversight OF
your part that you have neglected t,
return the amount | lent you Januar,
- If it is convenient I should lik,
rhpck this A n
things have come up lately that hav,
made my little bank account yer
low, and l shall appreciate it if 70,
will send this very soon.
Very sincerely,
HELEN l.. CURTIS"
Hesitatingly she folded this not
into an envelope, sealed and stampe
it. Even then she wavered. Had sh
made it strong enough? How ha
she worded that phrase about wantin
the check this week? A thin pape
knife slipped easily under the not We
dried flap.
No, no, it would not do. 1t was to-
apologize. What if Mrs. Thursto
should not answer it? If she had ie
nored sending the check, she Nigh
ignore too this polite little note.
What subject herself to that pos
sible humiliation? Why write at all
Would it not be much simpler an
quicker to telephone?
Already her hand was on the re
ceiver of her desk phone. The mex
moment she had given Central tn
number.
ON THE TELEPHONE.
Mrs. Thurston? Just a minute,
drawled the voice of the boy at tn
switchboard and she heard the clio
as he connected her with Mrs. Thurs
tons apartment.
1t was Mrs. Thurston's maid VIII
answered.
Il wish to speak to Mrs. Thurs
ton," Helen's voice was coldly curt.
WHO is it, please?"
This was both irritating and dis
concerning. She had forgotten tina
she had always to give her nam
when phoning Mrs. Thurston.
who is it, please?" insisted tn
girl.
Mrs. Curtis" snapped Helen.
/, A moments wait, in which she wa