Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1914-09-29

The telephone rang. but Helen did
not move. She was embroidering q
set of guest doilies for Louise, who
was going to start housekeeping as
soon as the weather was cool enough,
and it seemed as though something
we're always happening to prevent her
from finishing them.
Nora came to the door OF the liV-
Ing room in n few minutes.
Some one to speak to YOU, ma am,
q gentleman; he didn't give a name.
Helen looked up in surprise; 1t
was out of the ordinary for any one
to ring up and not leave name, and
a man, we'll, she would see what was
wanted. Perhaps 1t was some one at
the office calling up for Warren.
She left her sewing on the chair
and went out to the telephone.
Hello. yes. this is Mrs. Curtis; who
Is this please?"
There was a buzzing on the wire
and then a strange voice spoke very
quickly.
Don't you know? I have tried to
get you on the phone before this. but
you we're always out. This is Mr.. J.
Woods Atkinson"
There was silence. while the blood
seemed to pour into Helen's face. 1t
filed her ears so that she could hardly
hear. and for a moment she actu-
ally felt faint. Ought she to ring off,
or would it he better to ask the man
why he bounded her as he did? And
she had thought that everything had
blown over.
II don't know any one by that
name" she said finally. steadying her
voice as she went on, probably you
have the wrong number, or did You
want to speak to my husband? You'll
find him at his office"
This last had been an inspiration
and she waited breathlessly for that
voice to reply. ..=
81 don't know your husband, Mrs.
Curtis. and I'm afraid I don't know
you Just yet although that is hardly
my fault. You probably will recall
my name if you will stop to think a
moment. I wonder If l might call
this afternoon"
He Begs to See Her For Few Mo-
ments
The audacity of him, thought Helen,
Indignantly.
IF YOU are quite finished I will
ring off now," she said icily, holding
the receiver poised and waiting to
see what he had to say
Just a minute pleaded the voice.
Let me see you for a few minutes
tbs afternoon and I promise not to
annoy you any ,further-that is, un-
less you are perfectly willing"
Certainly not" said Helen, in
wardly raging and hanging the re-
ceiver up abruptly, but not before
that voice had said:
I'm coming, anyway; you'd better
see me-"
Helen sank down on a chair in the
hall. What had she ever done to be
prosecuted in this manner? She was
not like other women in this respect,
willing to carry off the matter as a
joke. Such thing never occurred to
her as possible, chance for enjoy,
ment. All her brain was centered
upon what Warren would say il he
knew He would be quite sure that
she had merited the attractions by
some indiscreet action on her part.
She glanced hurriedly at the clock
and then rising went back to her seat
In the living room. Surely he had
never dare to came up after she had
told him he couldn't, but if he did
what could she do then?
In panic she rushed out into the
kitchen.
Nora. if any one should call for
me, tell him ] am not at home. I'm
der no circumstances allow any one
In. do you hear"
Yes, ma'am," said Nora obediently.
looking at Helen in surprise. Helen
was not the kind of woman who be-
came excited easily. and Nora had
never remembered seeing her in just
this kind of a mood before.
I'll say that you were called down
town, Mrs. Curtis said the girl. her
warm Irish heart going out to Helen
in her trouble, and then Helen went
back to the living room, her heart in
tumult and her ears alert for the
first sound of the bell that would an
nounce the arrival of her visitor.
That is if he really meant what he
said Perhaps he was trying to
frighten her, and did not intend COM
ing at ALL and at the thought Helen
drew breath of relief. And then the
persistence of the man again made
her reasonably sure that he had meant
what he said. Oh, yes, he would come,
there was no doubt about it. and
Helen sat down to wait for the sound
Of the bell.
Mrs. Bob Appears and Helen Receives
Her
Winifred was taking a nap in
Helen's room. and Helen tiptoed into
the room to close the door. Just as
she reached the door, however, the