Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1914-01-13

shouldered, coming toward them,
Helen caught her breath. How much
he looked like Warren,
We'll. this is luck! Already had tea -"
es. but Wen order you some"
Helen's laugh was a little hysterical
and she dared not glance at Louise.
Are you sure" he turned to Louise,
that I won't keep your"
"oh. quite sure" Louise's voice wa.
low, but 10y cold.
DO you often have time for after
noon tear asked Helen, to give him
an opportunity for the explanation
she hoped he had prepared.
unfortunately. no, but had to
meet q man from the West here at
s.So. Just left him when I saw YOU.
II curious how many westerners
STOP at this hotel. They used to go
to the ABORT"
Louise kept her eyes on her nlate
oCt Helen could see her hand tremble
as she toyed with her ice.
NOW came a silence, awkward.
strained, which Helen broke with a
nervous, excited
on there's Irene Moore and her
mother. / MUST see herr
Inc next moment she was out in
the corridor flushed and tremulous
, Had her excuse been too bald? But
she HAD to get away! The strained
situation had been into,erabIe
HELEN. unconscious of her tightly
ciasped hands. her flushed cheeks and
ner shining eyes, did not realize that
she was being watched with interest
oy several men sitting around the
lobby.
but In a few minutes she in
sinctlVeiy turned to the shelter Of
the ladies' dressing room and sank
mo gilded chair, her heart beating
tumultuously.
HOW long must she stay away?
what would be Louise's attitude?
Might not she too freeze up" If she
suspected this was a plot? Would
BOD be tactful? If only he would
sweep her off her feet by his tender
ness. But if he tried to argue-that
would De fatal. Louise's pride had
been terribly hurt. He would have
TO meet her muca more than half way
What would he say first? Helen felt
SO much depended upon that and the
way he would say this voice, his
attitude
But what Il they should say moth
ing-ff they should merely carry on
stilted strained small talk? What
II Bob ghould not take advantage of
their few precious moments alone.
TO stay away too long would look
too apparent, so Helen reluctantly re-
turned to the tea room.
They were talking earnestly, Louise,
with avertad eyes, playing with the
stem of her glass. while Bob leaned
| tensely toward her. At least they
had not been talking, conventionali-
ties
But the expressions of both were
battling. Louise might have been
flushed from either joy. or embarrass-
! ment, and Bob's face was inscrutable.
I'm sorry to be go long. but l
hadn't seen Irene for months" said
Helen nervously.
At that moment the waiter ap-
preached with the check, and while
Bob took possession of it. Helen tried
| desperately to think of some way he
| could take Louise home alone. 1t was
plain that things were not settled.
Louise was already drawing on her
| gloves, and as 1t was now almost six
| there was no excuse for lingering.
We'll. shall we move onT asked
| Bob. as Helen turned to him expect
antly
They made their way out through
| the lobby, where Bob ordered a taxi.
"Oh, I must go to Ardman's! I've
| got Toto get some silk before they
close" said Helen hurriedly, resentin q
that Bob should leave all the schemins
to her.
All right, well drop you there"
1t was only a few minutes drive
to Ardman's, and no one spoke on the
! way. 1t was a relief when the cab
| drew up and Bob jumped out
rs 1T all right?" whispered Helen
| stopping to kiss Louise goodbye.
Il don't know" in a low, tense
| whisper.
Bob helped her out. and Helen
called back a gay goodbye to them
both.
Stores closed. ,na'am." The big
doorman put cut a restraining arm a
Helen, absorbed in her thoughts
started in Ardman'A TITS after six"
Closed" exclaimed Helen, bewil-
dered.
1t had been closed when they had
driven u,i How fortunate that none
Of them had noticed It!
Shrinking from the glare of the
subway just now, Helen walked on
up the avenue. She was still trying
to analyzs Lo Uses whispered. IT don't
know"
Was all this scheming to be Of no
avail? We're these two impossi BILE,
Would they quarrel all the way home
and part more embittered than ever?