The Caldwell watchman. (Columbia, La.) 1885-1946, 1915-04-16

| IL tllio SullI NdlSC VIII 90
for tomorrow"
'Oh, yes; / wouldn't put on a fresh
one I'LL we're there. My, it's good to
get those shoes off! Patent leather
draws my feet So"
Tan shoes are easier for travelling.
On, do you like those lace-front cor
sets? I've been wanting to try them,
they say they're" The rest was lost
IN the trundling of baggage outside.
Huh, just getting interesting"
grlnned Warren. "What're those two
females over here alone for, anyway"
L think one is a correspondent for
some paper" whispered Helen. Don't
you remember her, the one who was
always writing on deck?"
"Oh, that! Well, it'll take more'n a
lace front to make her"
Hush, dear, they'll hear you!"
Now what else have you to do?" de.
manded Warren.
Just to fix my hair-but l don't
need the light for that"
She switched off the light and raised
the window at the foot Of her berth.
The long platform was now cleared
of trunks. The cold, white arc globes
fickered ghostly along the prison-like
station. The familiar English signs of
soap, tea and junket seemed frivolous
ly out Of place against the grim stone
walls.
Then without a sound of bell or
whistle, with almost sinister silence,
the train slipped out into the dark
ness.
The outskirts of Liverpool, with
the streets stony, treeless, and poor
ly lit, looked inexpressibly dreary.
There were endless rows of the mo-
notonous, low brick houses, all dark
now except for faint glimmer from
an occasional window.
Vaguely depressed by the scene,
| with whispered Good night, dear"
Helen reached out across the narrow
aisle.
Good night" briefly, pushing away
her hand.
"Now let's get what sleep we can"
A silence Of several moments then
Helen crept out Of bed and bent over
him with a wistful:
Dear, I can't go to sleep without
telling you good night right"
AS she stopped to kiss him, her
hand unconsciously slipped under his
pillow and touched something cold
and steely. With frightened cry she
drew back.
"oh, oh! Why, Warren, that
isn't"
well, what If it is? What're you
fumbling under my pillow for?"
TIT isn't loaded?" breathlessly.
What use would it be if it wasn't"
"But, dear, you don't think
Think it's just as we'll to have one.
Lot of sneak thieves at a time like
this. Now you go to sleep and stop
prowling around"
Helen crept back into her berth, but
the touch of the revolver had chilled
her. There was something terrify-
ing in that cold steel. With rush it
brought back all her brooding thoughts
Of the war.
They were beyond the city now,
speeding through the understanding
English country. Raising her pill
low, she gazed out on the peaceful
farm lands. Here and there were
groups of COWS sleeping or grazing in
the moonlight.
1t was all so quietly peaceful that
1t was hard to think Of the war zone
as being so near. All those Belgian
battleflelds had few months ago been
as serenely quiet as this. Perhaps
many Of the battles had been fought at
night under just such a calm, pale
moon.
The thought Of the killed-and wound
ed Helen resolutely put from her. All
her mental anguish over the suffering
in this war would not alleviate single
pang, and she was schooling herself
not to think. Just before they sailed
she had sent q check to the Red Cross.
That was expressing her sympathy in
the only way that could help.
Determinedly she now turned her
thoughts to London. They would be
there In the morning. What condi-
lions would they find? The hotels,
restaurants, music halls-all the places
she had loved on her first trip-how
many Of those would be closed?
Whatever the hardships or incon-
veniences of the next few weeks, there
was something thrillingly exciting
about being so near the heart Of
things.
The spirit Of adventure was always
strong within Helen, and now she
looked forward to their arrival in Lon
dom with . glow of aayer eYnnntanny