The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1914-10-19


~. but now" her voice broke.
TITS hard-it's very hard" muir
INJURED Helen. But the war can't last
forever-it must end soon"
But II brother never" she Bit
her lip. she could not put into words
the possibility Of his never coming
book oh. you don't know-he was
such a good brother, And he was
the best judge OF tapestries in Lon
don. proudly. They never had a
sale at Christie's that he wasn't called
In. We had an established business
here-but now"
She took up the shawl again and
TREMENDOUSLY stroked the fringe.
You can have IL for two pounds :"
in low voice. You could sell IL TO
any dealer in America for three times
that much"
Two pounds, Helen caught her
breath. Three rounds had been alb
surdly cheap. but two pounds for that
shawl, II would make the most won
derful evening wrap. She hesitated.
Then the bargain instinct that is in
every woman succumbed to this final
offer.
Very well. I'll take e."
But as she counted out the money
she was vaguely troubled. The
thought of these women being forced
to such a sacrifice was disquieting.
Yet II she did not take advantage or
II some one else would. She had not
asked them 20 take so little-the sale
had been pressed upon her.
When Helen left the shop. she saw
by clock in a chemists window that
IL was a quarter after six. Warren
always came home about seven. She
must get back to the hotel before
then.
Two pounds for that shawl, Her
impatient fingers tore a slit in the pa
per through which cleaned the heavy
silk fringe.
She hurried on to the top OF Char
ing Cross road. the nearest bus line.
but as many OF the London buses
had been drafted for the war. Il was
fifteen minutes before the one she
wanted came by.
When she finally reached the hotel.
their key was not at the desk and she
knew that Warren had come. Not
waiting for the slow-r running lift. sac
ran up the two flights OF stairs.
In answer 20 her eager knock. War
rem opened the door. He was in his
shirt sleeves. a towel in his hands.
"Oh. dear, I'm sorry I'm so late. "
drawing his head down for a damp.
soap-smelly kiss. 'But-look-.1olS,
what | bought"
She tore off the paper and shook
out the shawl on the bed
There. isn't that the most beau
tiful thing you ever saw? I'll make
the most gorgeous evening wrap-and
! won't even have TO cut it."
Thought you weren't to get any
expensive toys this trip" rubbing his
neck and head in vigorous man-fash.
ion.
Expensive! What do YOU think
paid for IL? TWO POUNDSi"
You never got that for two
pounds" examining the heavy en-
/ broidery.
81 did. dear. DID," excitedIy. AT
that little shop in wardour street
where ! got the bead bag last year.
Don't you remember told you about
those two old-maid sisters? The ones
that look like Dickens characters
Well. their brothers in the war. and
they need money"
Need It bad enough TO sell that for
! two pounds?"
While Helen breatniessiy explained
their desperate condition. Warner
took the shawl to the window, scrut.
! inized II. then threw Il back on the
bed There was something in his
frowning that made her vaguely un.
easy.
why. dear. don't you think it's ex.
quisite? Don't you think it's wonder.
fully cheap"
"whst'd they ask for II in the first
place."
1T was marked seven pounds. but
she said ] could have Il for fve-jusi
what her brothers paid"
Yet you got It for two"
Why yes. but /"
well. it's all right 20 get things
cheap. but We don't want to stea;
them. Here" throwing two pounds
on the bed. take that TO those wo.
men, first thing in the morning. I'm.
derstand?"
oh flushing hotiy, q don't think
OF II that way"
Huh" you're always shouting
about the suffering war brings to wo.
men. But the first real chance YOU
get to help one" contemptuously.
you grind her down TO the last cent. q
! Why. Warren. you don't think |
/ oshtu utF 10 ldhe so lttIeT Why. she
almost forced Il on me-"
so much the worse" scowling a,
| the rough edges OF a fresh collar
4 Shows how desperate she was. love,
/ II I'm ever up against u. I'll take my
chances with a man every time"
| with burning cheeks Helen slowly
refolded tho shawl
"Where're we going for dinner -
CURLY. struggling with the collar, his
chin in the air.
"Oh. dear, I can't bear 10 have Won
think I took advantage OF that wo.
man. ! feel wretched about II :"
You ought to. I've noticed your
I sympathy's always the kind that
| doesn't cost anything Hot airs
I mighty cheap. but when Il comes
/ down 10 brass tacks-you're not there
l Now where're We going for dinner
Dear don't say that-it isn't true,
/ It's only because ] felt we Shouldn't
I buy ANYTHING now I didn't once
ash her 10 take less-oh. think you
| MIGHT believe that"
Well. N you don't intend 20 buy
why the deuce are YOU snoopina
around tho shops? Make 'em drag
/ out everything In the place. then aay
/ you're only 1ooking'-do your" Vie
I iously brushing his coat. Now what
about dlnner7"
Warren. you KNOW / never 40
I that. wasn't even going inside
was just looking I'm the window and
she saw me. ! told her ] wasn't buy -
ing n thing this trip-oh. ~ isn't
FAIR for you 20 make me 90 miser-