The Dolores star., 1915-06-11

never made an engagement, yet
came to expect him every Wednesday
Il five-I lived for that hour. We
never talked mean about this, Yet
We both knew.
The day he left for the war-he
came to say good-by. He tried to
make 1t a conventional call-but
couldn't. was the one to break
down. He said there was only one
soiution-for him not to come back
Her voice broke. She looked at
Helen with hopeless eyes.
"Oh. how I've watched the papers,!
But there's been nothing until yes.
terday."
And yet" murmured Helen, IF
you had married him. wouldn't Civ
ing him up now be even harder than
Il is?"
Harder" fiercely. III we'd had
sig years Of happiness, would our
lives have been wasted? Six years
with him! I'd barter my soul for
one!"
She was walking feverishly about
the room. her long hair partly un-
bound.
"Oh, l can't stand this" hysteri-
cally. Il must know" turning desper-
ately to the desk phone. Mono. /
mustn't phone. Don't let mel"
L Can't l phone for your" fal-
tered Helen.
"oh," looking at her wildly, why
didn't think OF that? Eight-twosix-
nine Mayfair excitedly. ASK for
Lieutenant - No-wait, can't give
you his name!"
say the lieutenant"
"Yes-yes.' eagerly. thrusting tho
receiver into Helen's hand.
"Eight-two-six-nine Mayfair? I
would like to know how the lieuten-
ant is
Lieutenant Carson died this morn.
ing at eleven thirty came the an
swer
Although he Immediately rang on.
Helen still held the receiver. How
could she tell her? What words
would sound the least brutal?
But the woman's intuition needed
no words.
when did he die7" her voice was
curiously quie'.
AT eleven thirty"
THAT was, after I drove by this
morning. He was there then-I
might have seen him!" Then abrupt
ly, you'll understand II ask you to
60 now, won't you? think I'd rather
be alone"
"Oh, can't leave, you know. fright
ened at her strange quietness. You
mustn't be alone. Let me stay with
you or send for someone"
She shook her head. "a couldn't
have anyone mere without telling
them. But you needn't be anxious.
I'm all right. In way. dreamily. Pm
nearer to him now than ever was.
He's more mine now than ne Is
hers.
But later. IN the night. II you
should need one-wili you let me
know? Promise me that! 1 cant bear
to think OF you here alone
Yes. I promise"
And with that Helen had % DO
content. She went back down the
hall haunted by the picture OF that
woman alone with her grief.
When she opened the door she start
ed with dismay at the sound of War
rem whistiing. She had not thought
he would be home, and just now she
shrank from meeting him She dread
ed his brusque questioning.
He IVES IN the bedroom, his foot on
a chair, brushing the bottoms Of his
trousers.
"Hell0!~ without looking up. This
blamed London mud sticks like -"
Then he saw ner face. What the
deuces the matter now"
oh. dear, live been with the
face against his unresponsive arm.
Who's the woman next door," ell
bowling her away, the whiskbroom in
his hand. what are you sniveling
about. anyway"
1t was hard to tell such a story
while Warren, grimiy unsympathetic.
brushed his clothes. put on fresh
collar and cleaned his nails Helen
stumbled through it brokeniy.
Told all that yarn to you. Ell?
Sounds like IT was MADE out Of whole
cloth. Guess there's a lot she didn't
tell"
Warren, stop" turning on him
fierceiy. "Oh. shouldn't nave told
you! might have known you
wouldn't understand She's refined,
delicate"
Huh" attacking his hair savage
~. a brush In each hand, mot much
delicacy In spelling on that tale to .
stranger :
"oh. how can you be so nard!'-
passionately. Sometimes think You
haven't any
We'll. I'm not Haunting my feelings
in everybody's face. I've always said
women mad NO sense Of reticence.
Think man would blest out q story