The Caldwell watchman. (Columbia, La.) 1885-1946, 1915-04-09

door of her room.
why, what's all this" gazing at if
with a puzzled frown. What the
devil"
I'm all packed except few things
I'll need in the morning"
you're packed. What in 1hundar--
Are you crazy?"
mo, dear, but | would be if I'd
let you 90 on this trip alone" wrap
ping her hand mirror in an underskirt
and putting it in the tray.
For a moment he stared at her, then
turned away with a sneering:
Don't be fool! Cut that stage
acting and help pack my suit case"
Its already packed. Do you want
to take that gray sweater? left it
there on the chair" deity fitting in
her bedroom slippers
"See here, we'll settle this right
now! I've got enough to put up with
without any new capers from you
Helen rose from the trunk and
turned to him with fierce intensity.
Warren, I'm going! I've thought it
all out You've a stateroom alone
you can easily get another passage.
But II you won't do that shall 90
anyway. I've enough money of my
own"
Have you gone stark, staring
mad?" beloved Warren.
There's no use roaring at me. This
time II won't help. I'm going on the
St. Paul tomorrow-if l have to 60
steerase. Dear" she laid a pleading
hand On his arm, I've never felt about
anything as do about this. I'm des-
perate-can't you see that? I can en-.
dure anything but the thought of your
takingthis trip alone"
Warren looked at her in astonish-
ment 1t was a phase of her charac.
ter hehad never seen.
In tie mildest and meekest woman
there IS always the possibility of a
despeItion, an emotional recklessness
that nay never be aroused Tonight
it hadbeen aroused in Helen. What
ever se might feel tomorrow, tonight
she nd this reckless courage that
knewio fear. She could have hurled
hersel from the window without a
trem0
If rar-en went alone he might
never eturn, he might in some way
beconl involved in the war-it was
WitMnttered oath Warren strobe
into thi lihary and began sorting over
some Rpel he was to take with him.
He dill M speak or even glance
toward Heen again. The papers
packed stillin glowering silence he
took his bail and threw himself heav.
lily int bed
Wha Helen crept in beside him,
she prsseda wistful, caressing cheek
agains his shoulder as he lay with
his bek toward her. But he shook
her OF witha savage:
lie me alone, will your"
Wit sigh she turned away. For
hourshe lay watching the white cur
tain it uttered out in the faint
light rom the street.
The is nothing so intimidating, so
fatal 0 seltconfidence, as a sleepless
night and gradually Helen felt her
courae weakening. Her plans so
boldli conceived now seemed impos.
sible.
Yefor Warren to go alone-to take
the rks she felt he would take if she
weraot with him! She turned and
threlher arms about him with a pro-
tecti tenderness, softly kissing his
hair nd neck and shoulder until he
stir uneasily in his sleep.
1t as dawn before Helens tortur-
ing oughts grew confused. :.
A stat in foreign city crowded with
a rids mob. Was it London? Sol
dier@lth slittering bayonets were
shoug at something overhead-an
aerosne. The man leaning out of
it ~Warren. The soldiers took
aim crash - the machine shot
doWt
"Shere, it's almost seven" War
rem s standing by the bed in his
batbe. If we sail at noon-you
CAME there all day."
Da, bewildered, Helen gazed up
at h The sound of his words was
still the air, IF we sail at noon"
Therer mind cleared.
"Vren" She drew him down to
the beside her. "You said we
You ,an-you are"
n, from the way you ranted last
night haven't much choice"
"OSyou have-you have" as she
clunso him. q was desperate last
nlghtbut l couldn't have carried 1t
throu. But, oh, to have you take me
willi1y!" The words ended in an
costa, sob.
WI, I've mulled it over. It'll be
abouts cheap to take you as to be
cabin back every hour. Now hustle
you'llave to move FAST"
Anododging Helen's clinglng arms,
next Dment Warren was whistling in
his ba.