The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1915-05-25


Helen did not answer. With tremu-
lous fingers she was tearing at the
margin of the Final Extra" with its
faring war headlines.
There's no risk, tell YOU" persist
ed Warren. "London's all right, and
I'll be back in less than a month. Now.
for heavens sake, cut the hysteria-
Business here is deadi I'm not max
ing enough to pay the Office rent II
I've got chance like this-Id be
chump not to take it,"
Helen swallowed hard at the lump
in her throat
"Jove, I'll have to hustle to meet
Griffin at $780," glancing at his watch.
You'd better be getting my things
together. That small steamer trunk
in the storeroom?"
She nodded.
We'll, give me the storeroom key
and I'll have the elevator boy bring
it up. Get me an umbrella. will you?
Drilling when l came in"
Helen got the key and the umbrella.
and followed him to the door. AS he
took his hat from the hall rack he
stopped to kiss her with a brisk:
Now, don't be silly. You ought to
! be deuced glad this offer came my
way. Don't sit up for me. GrifHn's
going over the whole case tonight
only chance we'll have" And with a
cheerful so long," Warren stepped
| into the elevator.
From the front room window Helen
gazed down al. the umbrella that came
| nd hn CT ha
was still dazed from the announce
ment he had made at dinner with such
| brutal abruptness.
Mr. Griffin had today offered him
/ $4,000 If he would make rush trip to
| London to look after some interest in
stock company that had become in
volved since the war.
Helen had heard the details only
vaguely. Sailing on the st. Paul to-
morrow noon," was the part that had
! scared into her mind. Warren had ia
! booed her fears. London was safe,
| perfectly safe and he would be home
| in less than a month. Three thousand
| and all expenses paid-it was an offer
| to jump at.
A deafening thunder crash, zig
|
! rain came down in sheets. II was the
climax, as it were, to her own terrify-
ing thoughts. The curtains were
soaked before her hands, weak with
| trembling, could put down the win
| dows.
Then, with her nerves still a-quiver,
| she hurried to answer a startling ring
What could it be? No one would call
so late!
1t was the bellboy with the trunk
MIR. Curtis said you wanted this up
tonight"
"Oh. yes, just-just take it in there
in the bedroom"
| With the lump Tightening in her
/ throat, Helen looked down at the
trunk, which bore the labels of their
London trip two years ago. She had
been going with him then. She
thought of all the joyous preparation
/ for that trip!
Now he was going alone-with all
/ Europe at wari What might not hap
pen? Her mind was filled with Iurid
| pictures of possible dangers. How
could he consider the money a COM
| pensation?
Mechanically Helen unlocked the
trunk. The tray was empty Under
meath were two steamer rugs, a shawl
strap, a heavy trunk strap, Warren's
travelling cap and an air pillow
Slowly she took out the things and
scooped up the scattered mothballs
For long time she knelt there, the
! rugs on her knee, fumbling with the
balls she had thrown into the cap.
Her breath came fast Her hand
clenched tight over the crunching
balls. Then she started up. threw the
things on the bed. rushed out to the
hall and rang peremptorily for the ele-
vator. Not until the car shot up did
she take her tense finger from the but
| ton.
"There-there's another steamer
trunk in the basement" breathlessIy,
that Mr.. Curtis forgot. We're sail
ing tomorrow, so / must pack tonight
| VIII you bring it up at once?"
In few moments the trunk was in
her room. With a desperate, feverish
haste she began to pack-Warren's
trunk first and then her own.
There was no hesitancy- or uncer-
tainty in her movements. Her usual
indecision was swept away by a reso-
| lutte decisiveness. Her tense excite
ment acted as stimulant that urged
| her on.
1t was after twelve and she was
crowding in her tray the last few
things when she heard his key in the
| door.
Hello, you up yet? Take this. will
you?" thrusting at her the dripping
umbrella. Then as he entered his
room: Got the trunk packed? That's
fine. Put in plenty of underwear?
Don't know when I'll get any washing
done"
Il put in FIVE suits" her voice mis-
leadingly quiet; that's all you have
| clean"
Ought to be enough. Phew. I'm
tired" peeling off his coat and vest
AS he threw them on a chair his
glance fell on Helen's packed trunk,
which stood conspicuously by the open
door of her room.
Why, what's all this?'' gazing at it
with a puzzled frown. What the
devil"