The Elbert County tribune., 1915-05-07
Copyright 1915 by the Mcclure Newspaper syndcate)

their key was not at the desk, and she
knew that Warren had come. Not
waiting for the slow-running lift, she
ran up the two flights of stairs.
In answer to her eager knock, War.
rem opened the door. He was in his
shirt sleeves. towel in his hand.
"Oh, dear, I'm sorry I'm late" draw
ing his head down for damp soap
smelly kiss. But Iook-look what !
bought"
She tore on the paper and shook out
the shawl on the bed.
There. isn't that the most beautiful
thing you ever saw. It'll make the
most gorgeous evening wrap-and l
won't even have to cut iti'
Thought you weren't to get any
expensive togs this trip?" rubbing his
neck and head in vigorous man-fash-
ion.
Expensive! What do you think 1
paid for it? Two poundsi"
You never got that for two
pounds" examining the heavy EN-.
broidery.
Il did, dear. did" excitedly. "At
where l got the bead bag last year.
Don't you remember l told you about
those two old-maid sisters? The
ladies that look like Dickens charac-
ters. Well, their brothers in the war,
and they need the money"
Need it bad enough to sell that for
two pounds?"
While Helen breathlessly explained
their desperate condition, Warren took
the shawl to the window, scrutinized II,
then threw it back on the bed. There
was something in his frowning silence
that made her vaguely uneasy.
why, dear, don't you think it's ex.
quisite? Don't you think it's wonder.
fully cheap"
''What'd they ask for it in the first
placer"
1T was marked seven pounds, but
she said | could have it for five-just
what her brother paid"
yet you got it for two?"
why yes, but /"
We'll, it's all right to get things
cheap, but we don't want to steal
them. Here" throwing two pounds on
the bed take that to those women
first thing in the morning. Under.
stand?"
"oh," flushing hotly. Il don't think
of it that way"
Huh. you're always spouting abou,
the suffering war brings to women.
But the first real chance you get to
help one." contemptuously, you grind
her down to the last cent"
why, Warren, you don't think !
asked her to take SO little? Why, she
almost forced it on me-
so much the worse" scowling at
the rough edges of fresh collar.
Shows how desperate she was. Jove,
II I'm ever up against it, I'll take my
chances with a man every time"
With burning cheeks Helen slowly
refolded the shawl.
"Where're we going for dinner?"
curtly, struggling with the collar, his
chin in the air.
"Oh, dear, l can't bear to have you
think took advantage of that woman.
l feel wretched about it."
You ought to. I've noticed your
sympathy's always the kind that
doesn't cost anything. Hot airs mighty
cheap. but when it comes down to
brass tacks-you're not there. Now
where're we going for dinner?"
Dear. don't say that-it isn't true.
It's only because l felt we shouldn't
buy anything now. l didn't once ask
her to take less-oh. think you might
believe that"
well, il you don't intend to buy
why the deuce are you snooping
around the shops? Make em drag out
everything in the place, then say
you're only 'looking'-do you?" vicious
ly brushing his coat Now what about
| dinner?"
Warren, you know I never do that
l wasn't even going inside. l was just
looking in the window and she saw me-
told her ! wasn't buying thing this
trip-oh, it isn't fair for you to make
me SO miserable about it,"
"Well. most of these English people
are having pretty rough shedding just
now. SO don't be too blamed keen on
getting something for nothing. But
all you women are alike" with a shrug
You'd sell your eternal souls for a
bargain. See here, I'm as empty as a
drum-didn't have time for lunch.
How about Simpsons for dinner?"
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