Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1914-02-05

that's the Curtis nature--the more
deeply they feel the less they say"
The orchestra in the palm-fringed
balcony was now playing 1.-THE Glow
she listened to the plaintive melody.
She had refused to- go to Helen's
apartment for fear Bob would think
she was coming there on the chance
Of seeing him, but she had consented
to meet Helen at the Aastoritz for
tea
Helen, who had not seen her for
over week, was startled at the
change. She was much thinner, all
her bright color had gone, and yet her
very pallor had loveliness of it's
own.
Did I tell you, father and I are
going to Florida the 10th?" Louise
asked suddenly.
ITO Florida"
Yes. lots of people I know are at
Palm Beach now. I'll go out like mad
and forget" her laugh had a harsh
note.
Does Bob know? Did you write
him when YOU sent back the ring?"
Louise shook her head. 'I don't
want him to know until I'm gone. He
might think it only ruse to influence
him."
How long will you stay?"
Until April"
You'll be perfectly wretched," de-
clared Helen with conviction. You'll
be thinking of Bob every moment"
Possibly" admitted Louise coldly.
But I'd be thinking of him here, and
I'll at least feel that I've restored
some of my self-respect If 1 go
away"
"If thought you could forget, I'd
want you to go-for 1 believe there's
many men who might make you hap
pier than Bob ever could. But I know
you can't, you can't forget him any
more than I can forget Warren"
Il can try" briefly. Then with a
startled "Oh! Louise put her hand to
her throat. THAT man-the one that's
| just sat down at the table back of
you! Doesn't he look like
Helen turned. The poise of the
mans head and shoulders was startl-
ingly like Bob's, but the full face view
dispelled the likeness.
Il loathe myself for it, and yet"
faltered Louise, whenever L see any
one that looks like him, 1t makes me
sick and faint"
For the last half hour a daring
/ scheme had been formulating in
Helen's mind, and now with one of
her sudden impulses she yielded to it.
"Oh, I've caught my heel in this
hem, it'll trip me on the street."
STOPPING over and examining a fold
of her skirt. "I'll run to the dressing
room and pin it up before I forget it,"
pushing back her chair.
why can't you do that as we 60
out?"
"It won't take a moment" hurry
ing off before Louise could protest.
Out in the lobby Helen made
straight for the telephone booths.
Give me Rector 1S025," breathless-
ly to the girl at the switchboard.
Number three" snapped the girl
Helen entered the third booth and
tremblingly took down the receiver.
Rector 1905? Is Mr.. Robert Cur
tbs there?" -. Bob, this is Helen!
I'm at the Astoritz having tea with
Louise-she's going to Florida next
week. Take taxi and get here as
quick as you can . ...... NO, she
hasn't said word" Loyalty -. But
If you want to see her come-and
come quicl'
When she came back to the table
Louise was gazing out of the window,
too deep in her brooding thoughts to
wonder at Helen's long absence.
Lets have an ice," suggested
Helen to prolong the tea.
You have one, 1 don't care for
any," listlessly
For the next half hour Helen's
thoughts were most disquieting. Had
she done right? Should she have
tried to bring these two together
Might it not be better for Louise il
she should never see Bob again? And
yet Helen's "love of love" was Sc
deep-rooted that she had been power
less to resist this impulse to tele-
phone Bob.
Suddenly she saw him, tall, broad
shouldered, coming toward them
Helen caught her breath. How much
he looked like Warren;
We'll, this is luck. Already had
tea?"
Yes, but We'll 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 you?"
"Oh, quite sure" Louise's voice was
low. but icy cold.
DO you often have time for after
noon tea?" asked Helen, to give him
an opportunity for the explanation
she hoped he had prepared.
Unfortunately, no, but I had Ia
meet a man from the West here al
4:30. Just left him when L saw you
It's curious how many Westerners
stop at this hotel. They used to &c
W lile AluOTl.
Louise kept her eyes on her plate,
but Helen could see her hand tremble
as she toyed with her ice.
Now came q silence, awkward,
strained, which Helen broke with q
nervous, excited.
"Oh there's Irene Moore and her
mother! I MUST see her!"
The next moment she was out in
d. the corridor flushed and tremulous
Had her excuse been too bald? But
she HAD to get away The strained
situation had been intolerable.
! Helen, unconscious of her tightly
clasped hands, her flushed cheeks and
her shining eyes, did not realize that
she was being watched with interest
by several men sitting around the
lobby.
But in a few minutes she in
stinctively turned to the shelter OF
the ladies' dressing room and sank
into gilded chair, her heart beating
tumultously.
How long must she stay away T?
What would be Louise's attitude ?
Might not she too freeze up" If she
suspected this was a plot? Would
Bob be tactful? If only he would
sweep her off her feet by his tender
ness. But If he tried to argue-that
would be fatal. Louise's pride had
been terribly hurt. He would have
to meet her much more than half way
What would he say first? Helen fell
so much depended upon that, and the
way he would say this voice, hi.
attitude,
But what if they should say moth
tt.e Oh