Norwich bulletin., 1914-04-15
THEIR MARRIED LIFE


 You don't think he's seriously ill?'
 ssBob'sr too blamed stubborn to let you know how he fs." Warren resentfully kicKed off his overshoes. Here, y thrusting his dripping umbrella at Helen.
 Helen deposited the umbrella in the bathtub and came back for further particulars.
 Has he a nurse?' anxious1y. Who's s there to wait on him %
 Nobody Says he don't want any body. He's pretty surly brute when he's sick
 Helen could understand that War rens brother was enough like him for her to picture vividly his disgruntled irritability when he was i'll.
 But, dear. he must have somebody te wait on himl"
 decent sort, and they send up his meals from the restaurant. Sent up his din- ner while I was there. but he wouldn't eat it
 of course not, he oughtn't to have hotel food Dear, I'm going lo see him tell him I wanted to come?''
 Warren nodded.
 What did he say2"
 Nothing. Wasn't any too glad to see me All our family want to be left alone when we're sick
 Well you can't leave Bob alone in an apartment hotel! The first thing in the morning Pm going to take him some broth and"
 He won't stand being fussed over. I can tell you that right now.
 "We'll see.' declared Helen, with lln- usual assertiveness.
 The next morning she phened their ffsnman to send over at once dozen fresh elams. She made the broth her self, poured it into a milk bottle, wrapped it up securely, and was soon on her way to Bob's hotel.
 The Barclay was a rather pTetenti- ous house in the heart of the club district, and was much patronized by bachelors.
 When the elevator boy ushered Hel- en into Bob's sitting room on the eighth floor she could see him lying in bed in the room beyond
 Although it was a brigh ,tsunshiny day the shades were drawn, and a green GropliSht was burning on 0ed- side table strewn with books and mag one chair, and more books were piled on another.
 This doesn't look very hospitable," smiled Helen. You should keep at least one chair. for visitors"
 Not expecting any, curtly.
 50 it seems. But when you're sick
 "Oh, I'm all right Be out in a day or so," moving his head restfvely on the pillow. Decent of you to come, of course, but I don't need anything"
 Ignoring this lack of cordishty, room.
 "Is this your breakfast?'' raising the napkin which covered the tray.
 Yes, but I wasn't hungry
 T should say not drowning at the omelet and bacon. That's an absurd breakfast for any one who's i'll. What did you have for dinner?"
 Bob was rather vague about what they had brought him, but Helen gathered that he hadn't eaten it. The last thing he had taken was some soup for luncheon the day before.
 Didn't Carrie give you a little elee- tric cooker for Christmas? Where is it?" as she unwrapped the bottle of clam broth.
 Don't know" ungraciousiy. May be in that closet somewhere"
 Helen was determined to heat the broth herself instead of sending it down, and possibly having 1t spoiled The electric cooker she found pushed back on the top closet shelf It was covered with dust, and had never been used. She washed it thoroughly. and attached it to the bathroom light.
 Clearing off the table by the bed. she spread it with a napkin and the un- used coffee cup from the tray. Then pouring the hot broth into the cup, she stood insistently by until he graudg- ingly tasted it.
 Does 1t want more saTt 7'
 Bob did not trouble to answer, he was draining the cup.
 Got any more there?"
 Expressing her glee, Helen poured out more of the broth.
 Wish you'd get me fresh hand kerchief," holding to the chiffonier Tn that second drawer, I think"
 In the jurnbled mass of collars, ties mufflers and dinner cards, Helen found a handkerchief.
 Bob, this drawer is dreadful! Don't you want me to straighten it?"
 If you don't mind" as. having f1n- fshed the rest of the broth, he Lay back with a sigh of content.
 Shall I stTaigl1ten the others, too?' after few moments. They're all upset
 Go as far as you like.' sleepily.
 Knowing that not broth on an empty weakened stomach would natur- ally produce drowsiness, Helen turned out the green dropligft by the bed.
 Try to sleep 8 few minutes while straighten these drawers"
 Sorting out the tangled mass of ties she found underneath them a worn leather case Almost without thinking she opened it.
 It was a picture of Louise-one that Louise had had taken during their en- gagement. And the worn cover was q mute testimony of constant handling
 The case was made like a locket, iT one side was the picture, and in the other, under the glass, was a folded sheet of not paper, a faded rose, and a long coiled strand of light browr hair-Louise's hair.
 Helen closed the case hastily and put it back. Bob was dozing. but she ha6 the guilty feeling that he would moi nave wanted her to see this. It be- trayed a capacity for sentiment, that she had never dreamed he possessed.
 She wondered what was written or that folded note paper? Was it the first note Louise had written him or was it that most tender one? An6 the fiower-When had she worn that?