The Caldwell watchman. (Columbia, La.) 1885-1946, 1915-07-30

was SO vlolent-he might Then |
impulsively, Wouldn't Mr.. Curtis 90
up--just for a moment?'
Il don't know" doubtfully, feeling
it would be difficult to persuade War
rem to such an errand.
PIT as Mrs. Colburn's anxiety grew
to a sort of frenzy, Helen reluctantly
consented to ask him.
How longs this going to keep up?"
he demanded irritabiy, as Helen came
into the library. I'd like to get to
bed some time before morning"
Dear, now she's afraid he'll do
something desperate. You know he
did try to kill himself. Couldn't you
60 up-just to see if he's all right"
mo. l couldn't" raspingly. What
excuse have got for butting in?"
But if he's been drinking. he
won't"
We'll, he's not too drunk to resent
my blowing in this time Of night.
What could l say? Id feel like
fool"
If anything should happen. She
says he's just In the mood-Oh. War
rem, do go! You're always so tactful
you'll know what to say"
At last, with grumbling unwilling
ness, Warren started for the door
Nice job you've handed me. I'll
feel like a fool, tell you,'' as he
banged out with angry emphasis.
In what condition would he find
Mr.. Colburn, wondered Helen uneas-
ily. Would he be violent and abu-
sive? Would he resen. Warren's in
reference?
Mrs. Colburn, every nerve taut, was
waiting with feverish apprehension
for Warren's return. 1t seemed an
hour before they heard his heavy
step in the hall.
He's all right" as Helen met him
anxiously. Il got him to bed; he'll
sleep 1t of by morning 49,
Did he say anything? Did he send
any message to-neT!
Not a word. We didn't talk about
it. He said his nerves had gone back
on him, and he'd been drinking lit
tie too much He's not bad sort.
I'll wager she's one of these hysteri-
cal nomenclature any man to drink. "
Warren, that's not true. She's
done everything for him"
Huh, throws fit every time he
has a couple Of beers. | know the
type. Now, here's where we turn in!
, I've got to work tomorrow"
= With feverish intensity Mrs. Col
burn started up as Helen entered.
Mr. Curtis has put him to bed. He
i. said he'll sleep it off-that he'll be al
. right in the morning"
oh" with a sob of relief. Their
8 raising her eyes dark-ringed with suf
e fering, "Do-do you think" faltering
ly, that | ought to go up?"
g That's something you must decide
for yourself" gently.
i "Oh, it's always like this-I alway'
s weaken. I've started to leave him {
!. dozen times-and l always 60 back
" Even now I'm wondering if he's Gov
cred up-if he won't take cold
). Il know, it's the mother instinct
r. every woman has it. Yes" musingly
@ perhaps you'd better 60 back-you'l
~ he more content. And after this,
Helen tried to- say it hopefully, q
g. may not happen again"
"Oh, don't delude myself an
X more" with weary bitterness. TT
e happen again. It'll keep on harper
ing, until he"
:" "You mustn't think that. Som'
n times just by thinking We. M
W keep that robe around you"
Helen followed her to the door, an
r. waited until she disappeared up tn
dimly lit stairs that wound aroun
9 the elevator shaft. Then from aboV
u came the faint sound Of closin
door.
,? When she finally crept into be
,e Warren was asleep. She tried not
i'll awaken him, but he turned over hea
i ily. with a muttered, well, has ST
j." quoted down."
Dear, she's gone back
e. Huh" contemptuously, got ov'
Is. her heroics, Ell? What about h
he never going back and all that rot
Helen did not answer. Anythlr
l." she could say would only arouse n
IS. combativeness, and just now 81
to shrank from his cynical comment.
lis AS she lay there watching the viii
On curtain flutter out in the darkness, 81
ng was picturing Mrs. Colburn, tuckil
the covers about her wine-drugg'
rs. husband
It was the mother love that hi
t." taken her back-the feeling OF d
y" need of her. Having no children,
zee the maternal instinct had gone out
.ry her husband. And whatever b
lily drunken brutality, whatever her m
mentary rebellion, Helen knew tn
Tx. instinct would be strong enough
no Eoan har with him