The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1914-02-24
Married Life
the Third Year

1t was charming room with low
bookcases, Persian rugs and hang
fngs. Everywhere were evidences OF
foreign travel. Bits Of rare pottery
and jade, curious daggers and swords
were strewn over the bookcases, the
tables and desk.
Surely they would not rent the
apartment like this?" exclaimed
Helen. " They would put away some
of these things
mo ma am, it Is to rented just as it
Is" and the caretaker crossed over
to raise the blinds. TT belongs to
ColonelHawson-he has gone to In.
dia."
But don't you think it could be
had for less than three months?"
Il am afraid not ma'am. But you
can see the agents-Edgecomb and
Wickham. No. 1852 Oxford street"
Helen made note Of the address
and then stepped again to the door
of the bedroom. There was a can
opted bed hung with silk curtains and
the walls We're covered with rare old
prints and engravings.
To Helen it looked like the stage
setting of an English play She could
picture Colonel Hawson coming in.
throwing himself into one Of the cur
iously carved chairs while a Japanese
valet took off his boots and brought
him whiskey and soda.
Half an hour later Helen found her
self in the office of Edgecomb and
Wickham, House Agents" After a
few minutes wait in the outer office
she was ushered into Mr.. Wickham.
He was the typical frock-coated, de-
liberate English business man.
1t was evidently a pleasant break
in the monotony Of his day to have
a charming young American rush in
and declare with her quick, impulsive
enthusiasm that she had just seen the
mostideal' apartment which was
just what she wanted. but the care
taker said it must be rented for three
months, and she wanted it for only
one.
Then Helen paused GREATNESS, he
smilingly asked what apartment it
was. Eagerly she gave the address.
A DISAPPOINTMENT.
That is Colonel Hawson's apart
ment-no, l am afraid it would be
impossible to let it for less than three
months. If he was here himself, it
is very probab he would make an
exception in this case implying that
so charming an applicant could not
be refused. But we have no choice
in the matter. And you can under
stand, ! am sure, why he would not
wish to rent place of that kind for
only month"
She mad of course, understood that
all along, but with the egotism of her
feminity. she had hoped to overcome
the restriction.
Helen was always inclined to feel
that all rules and regulations should
be adjusted to suit her convenience.
She was never aggressive or assert
i've about it, and yet she was often
sweetly unreasonable. She could
never seem to see why she should
not be made an exception.
But we have another two-room
apartment on Great Portland street
that might interest you. 1t is just
around the corner from here. If you
wish, l will go over there with you
now"
To find herself walking along Oxford
street with an estate agent in frock
coat and high hat was to Helen a
somewhat new sensation.
Her feminine intuition told her
that Mr. Wickham's excessive cour-
tesy was not to his desire to rent the
apartment but to his evident interest
in her
It is an exceptional woman who does
not take pleasure in the knowledge
that she has aroused the admiration
and interest-and Helen was not an
exceptional woman.
II was an old-fashioned brick house
with an air Of faded elegance. A liv-
cried servant opened the door and
showed them the rooms.
To Helens surprise it was the
drawing room and the room back of it,
fitted as bed room, that was to let.
The hugh rooms and high ceilings
gave such an atmosphere Of grandeur
that she was astonished when Mr..
Wickham mentioned the price-only
three pounds a week.
And where is the BATH" asked
might lead into one.
''On the. third floor, ma am answer
ed the servant
'on the third floor! Oh, we want
a private bath"
Il am afraid you will find that
rather hard to get in London" ven
tured Mr.. Wickham. Colonel Hawson
was very exceptional. But if you
like these rooms, after all the bath is
a small natter
Helen laughed. I am afraid Ameri-
cans don't think So | would rather
have a hall room and my own bath
than all this luxury without one
Then fearing that she had been
rude she added hastily.
But suppose We are spoiled. You
know We have SO many new hotels
and apartments with a bath for al
most evry room, that we have come
to think them necessities.
Outside Mr.. Wickham insister on