Tensas gazette. [volume] (St. Joseph, La.) 1886-current, 1915-08-06


M,h., n urner. "Oh, didn't
think Mr.. Colburn
drank" murmured Helen regretfully.
And she's so young and pretty"
"Rosie-thats their maid-said he
lost a sight of blood fore they could
get a doctor. She said she came down
to the laundry fore daylight to wash
out the sheets and things-so no.
body'd know. They've got a nurse
now and they're tellin' everybody that
he was just taken sick.
There's your kitchen bell. Emma.
interrupted Helen hastily, feeling that
she was encouraging the girl to talk.
She never allowed a maid to bring
her news of other tenants, but this
had been too startling wholly to dis
miss.
Its Rosie, Mrs. Colburn's maid,
ma'am," Emma returned with the air
Of one bearing an important message.
"She wants to speak to you"
Wonderingly, Helen went out to the
kitchen where the girl was waiting.
Mrs. Curtis, Mrs. Colburn wants
to know If you can come up for a
few moments? Mr.. Colburn's been
taken very sick"
why, yes. Of course! Tell her I'll
be up right away"
Without waiting to change her
morning gown, Helen slipped over it a
long coat. Not taking the elevator,
she ran upstairs.
Helen knew the Colburns only
slightly. their acquaintance being due
to one of Pussy Purr-Mew's runaway
escapades. Yet the few times she had
met them, she had liked them both.
Her heart beat fast as with a shrink.
ing dread she now entered their
apartment. Even the hall was perme-
ated with strong smell of antiseptics.
- She was met by trained nurse. a
capable. but severe-looking woman,
whose rigid white uniform only en-
phasized her austerity.
i've been trying to persuade Mrs.
Colburn to sleep. but she insisted on
sending for you. She says she knows
no one else here. VIII you come into
her room?"
The room was close and overheated.
The blinds were drawn and single
shaded light glowed on the dressing
table. Mrs. Colburn, with an EN-.
broidered Japanese robe over her
nightgown, was sitting on the edge OF
the bed
She started up as Helen entered,
with an excited. breathless, Il want
you to help me! Help me to keep this
out of the papers! A reporter just
phoned-I told him it wasn't true-but
he didn't believe me. Can your hus.
band stop the story? II he'll stop II
in his paper"
His paper!" repeated Helen blank
ly.
why, yes-the Star! They told
me he was the managing editor"
Mono, the initials are the same
w. e. Curtis-but he's not even a rel.
alive"
"Oh!" 1t was like a wall of despair
as she sank back on the bed.
I'm so sorry" murmured Helen
But we don't know anyone on any
of the papers" Then hesitatingly:
rs Mr.. Colburn seriously"
mo, he's only weak from loss OF
blood. IL haven't seen him since
the doctor left. I don't want to-" bit
terly. "Oh, II can just keep 1t out OF
the papers-that's all l ask. Isn't there
any way"
Here the phone beside the bed
shrilled out, and she caught Helen's
arm with a convulsive, Its another
reporter--I know it is! You answer
I'm afraid to-"
What shall I say" bewildered.
Say It isn't true-that Mr.. Col
burns only ILL., That it's an outrage
for them to intrude like this"
"Mr. Dudley of the Evening News
Is calling" announced the hall boy
when Helen took down the receiver
Hes downstairs" whispered Hell
en-, her hand over the mouthpiece.
Tell him / can't see him-I CAM
see anyone! Oh, they'll all have it
every paper will have it," moaningly
as Helen gave the message. "Ant
they'll have all the rest, too"
"The rest?" turning from the phone
How he's been drinking for months
the hall boys know how he comes
home at night. l thought 1t would bt
me he'd try to kill-he's threatened Il
enough. Oh. yes. he's already killed
all the love I ever had for him."
Love isn't so easily killed." ven
tured Helen gently.
"Oh, l know, l suppose l still cart
In a way. But you can't respect, much
less love, a man after a scene like las
night"
yet Mr.. Colburn always seemed 81
quiet-so much of a gentleman"
He Is when he's not drinking-bu
alcohol changes his whole nature. oh
II you knew" shudderingly. what I've
gone through in the last six months
Il wouldn't think of that now" gen
tly.
How can help It? Do you thinl
/ can ever get those scenes out Of m!
mind? And last night-oh. In
through-Im through! Last night de
cided it! When he's over this-Pn
going to leave him." passionately.