The Yale expositor. (Yale, St. Clair County, Mich.) 1894-current, 1915-07-29

ing anxiety.
"Oh, Tiff anything should happen!
II he should try to-Oh, he's desper
ate enough to do anything-and he's
up there all alone!"
but you say it's only at you that
he gets so enraged! Now that he's
alone-hell quiet down."
IF could be sure of that! But he
was so violent-he might" Then
impulsively, Wouldn't Mr.. Curtis go
up-just for a moment?
Il don't know" doubtfully, feeling
1t would be difficult TO persuade War
rem to such an errand.
Pvt as Mrs. Colburn's anxiety grew
to sort of frenzy, Helen reluctantly
consented to ask him.
''How longs this going to keep up?"
he demanded irritably, 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
go up-just to see if he's all right?"
NO couldn't" raspingly. What
excuse have l 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? I'd feel like a
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, l tell you," as he
banged out with angry emphasis.
In what condition would he ind
Mr.. Colburn, wondered Helen unsas-
lily. Would he be violent and abu-
sive? Would he resent Warrens 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. II got him to bed; he'll
sleep it off by morning"
Did he say anything? Did he send
any message to-her?"
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 a bad sort.
III wager she's one of these hysteri-
cal women-drive any man to drink"
Warren, that's not true. She's
done everything for him"
Huh, throws a fit every time he
has a couple of beers. know the
type. Now, here's where we turn ini
I've got to work tomorrow"
With feverish intensity Mrs. Col
burn started up as Helen entered.
MIR. Curtis has put him to bed. He
said he'll sleep it off-that he'll be all
right in the morning"
Obi" with a sob of relief. Then
raising her eyes dark-ringed with suf-
fering, "Do-do you think" fsltering-
| ly, that / ought to go up?"
That's something you must decide
for yourself" gently.
"Oh, it's always like this-f always
weaken. I've started to leave him a
dozen times-and / always gu back.
Even now I'm wondering If he's COW
cred up-if he won't take cold"
II know, it's the mother instinct
every woman has 1t. Yes" musingly,
perhaps you'd better go back-you'll
be more content And after this"
Helen tried to say it hopefully, 1T
may not happen again"
"Oh, don't delude myself any
MORE" with weary bitterness. It'll
happen again. It'll keep on happen
ing, until he"
you mustn't think that. Some
times just by thinking we. M,
keep that robe around YOU"
Helen followed her to the door, and
waited until she disappeared up the
dimly lit stairs that wound around
the elevator shaft. Then from above
came the faint sound of a closing
door
When she finally crept into bed
Warren was asleep. She tried not to
awaken him, but he turned over heay-
lily, with a muttered, well, has she
quoted DOWN."
Dear, she's gone back"
Huh" CONTEMPORARY, got over
her heroics, Ell? What about her
never going back and all that rot?"
Helen did not answer. Anything
she could say would only arouse his
combativeness, and just now she
shrank from his cynical comment.
AS she lay there watching the white
curtain flutter out in the darkness, she
was picturing Mrs. Colburn, tucking
the covers about her wine-drugged
husband.
1t was the mother love that had
taken her back-the feeling OF his
need of her. Having no children, all
the maternal instinct had gone out to
her husband And whatever his
drunken brutality, whatever her mo-
mentary rebellion, Helen knew that
instinct would be strong enough to