The Caldwell watchman. (Columbia, La.) 1885-1946, 1915-06-11

Mabel Herbert e'"n'
I,.a. Zeppelin raj s
the Londoners
were at last aroused.
The mournful sound o. distant tlte
and drum, then hearse with flag
draped coffin and three closed car
riages passed slowly by. These SAD
little professions were becoming daily
more frequent.
She went into the bedroom. AS she
gazed moodily across the narrow
courtyard, woman's form was sud-
denly outlined against the drawn blind
of lighted window. Her every move
ment was clearly silhOuetted.
Helen watched her, fascinated, With
clenched hands she was walking up
and down the room. Then she dropped
into a chair, her face buried in its
cushioned seat, her shoulders CULVER
ing with convulsive sobs. There were
abandonment and abject grief in every
line of her slender figure.
Something that looked like news
paper lay on the floor beside her.
Helen's thoughts leaped to that daily
column of killed and wounded.
At any other time she would not
have followed the impulse that now
came to her. But the war had broken
down many barriers. A common dan
ger and sorrow had brought people to-
gether; ordinary conventions were
brushed aside.
The next moment Helen was hurry
ing down the halr to the apartment
opposite. 1t was some time before her
timid ring was answered.
who is it," asked a tremulous
voice, the door opening a few inches.
Mrs. Curtis-from the apartment
next door," faltered Helen.
The door opened wider, the woman
still shielding herself behind it.
III know you're in trouble i'm
pulsively. Il saw you through the win
dow-the curtain was down, but
could see your shadow. Don't think
me intrusive, but knew you were
alone-and l couldn't help coming"
TIE woman's only answer was tt
turn back into the room and throw
herself sobbing on the couch. Heller
followed, constrained and awkward
After all, what could she do-wha
could any stranger do?
'It's someone-in the war;" gently
drawing a chair beside her.
The head on the pillow nodded.
Helen took one of the hot, clenchet
hands in both of hers. She coult
think of nothing to say, nothing tina
would not seem meaningless.
I A small desk clock licked harshly
There was sound of Goals settling il
the crate. A faint creak of the chail
as Helen stirred.
Then the woman sat up and LOOKED
at her duly.
oh, it's not what you think reck
lessly. Its not my husband or m,
brother-or anyone whom can grew
over openly. That's why Pm alone.
don't dare have anyone with me-any
one that might know"
Helen felt a tightening in he
throat; she did not attempt to sneak
''He was brought home yesterda,
wounded-fatally, the papers said
That's all know. / can't go to him
! can't even telephone-they'd know
my voice." She looked unfinchingl,
at Helen. "He's-another woman's hus
band"
Helen did not start or draw back
her hold on the hot hand frightened
'This morning drove by in cab
The blinds were down, but there wa
no-crape. I'm going again tonight
Oh, it's torture-not knowing
Abruptly she rose and took from
desk drawer a leathercased photo
graph. 1t was a strong, clean-cut fac
Of vfrile Englishman.
There was nothing the whole worl'
couldn't have known her BURNING
eyes were on the picture and yet
now that he's dying Pm almost sorr,
there wasn't defiantly. Can you un
derstand that?"
Helen nodded.
"Oh, we're more natural, more prim
tive In times like these! That's VIII,
! can tell you this. And yet slow
lily, IF he should get well-it woul,
be just the same. Oh, we've mad
such a waste of our lives-such a piti
full waste! 1t was all my fault, bu
I've paid for it." bitterly. "Tve pal,
for one foolish, hyste;ical momen
with six years of torture
six years. breathed Helen.
"We were engaged she steadie,
her voice. "Oh, it was such a trivia
thing. we quarreled over! And he
he took it seriously. He threw III
everything and went to India. Las