The Fayette falcon. (Somerville, Tenn.) 190?-current, 1915-07-16


he was doin'."
Mabel II. Urner. ooh, / didn't
think Mr.. Colburn
drank" murmured Helen regretfully'
sand she's SO young and pretty"
"Rosie-that's their maid-said he
lost sight Of blood fore they could
get doctor. She said she came down
to the laundry fore daylight to wash
out the sheets and things-so no
body'd know. They've got a nurse
now and they're tellin' everybody that
he was just taken sick"
There's your kitchen bell, Emma"
interrupted Helen hastily, feeling that
she was encouraging the girl to talk.
She never allowed maid to bring
her news of other tenants, but this
had been too startling wholly to dis
miss
ITS Rosie, Mrs Colburn's maid,
ma'am," Emma returned with the air
Of one bearing an important message.
"She wants to speak to YOU"
Wonderingly, Helen went out to the
kitchen where the girl was waiting.
"Mrs. Curtis, Mrs. Colburn wants
to know IL you can come up for a
few moments? Mr.. Colburn's been
taken very sick"
why, yes. of course! Tell her III
be up right away"
Without waiting to change her
morning gown, Helen slipped over 1t a
long coat. Not taking the elevator
she ran upstairs.
Helen knew the Colburns only
slightly, their acquaintance being due
to one of Pussy Purr-Mew's runaway
escapades. Yet the few times she had
met them, she had liked them both.
Her heart beat fast as with shrink
ing dread she now entered their
apartment. Even the hall was perme
ated with a strong smell of antiseptics
She was met by trained nurse, Q
capable, but severe-looking woman
whose rigid white uniform only EN-
phasized her austerity
i've been trying to persuade Mrs
Colburn to sleep, but she insisted OF
sending for you She says she knows
no one else here. VIII you come int
her room?"
The room was close and overheated
The blinds were drawn and a single
shaded light glowed on the dressing
table. Mrs. Colburn, with an EN-
broidered Japanese robe over he
nightgown, was sitting on the edge o
the bed.
She started up as Helen entered
with an excited. breathless, Il wan
you to help mel Help me to keep thi
out Of the papersi A reporter Jus
phoned-I told him It wasn't true-bu
he didn't believe me. Can your hus
band stop the story? II he'll stop
In his paper"
His paper?" repeated Helen blani
~.
"why, yes-the Star! They toll
me he was the managing editor
Mono, the initials are the same
W. =. Curtis-but he's not even re
alive"
"oh!" It was like wall Of despai
as she sank back on the bed.
I'm so sorry" murmured Heller
'But we don't know anyone on an
Of the papers" Then hesitatingly
rs Mr.. Colburn seriously"
mo, he's only weak from loss {
blood. IL haven't seen him sine
the doctor left. I don't want to- bi
terly. "oh, II / can Just keep 1t out
the papers-that's all ask. Isn't ther
any way"
Here the phone beside the be
shrilled out, and she caught Helen
arm with a convuisive, Its anoth'
reporter know It isl You answer
I'm afraid to-"
What shall say" bewildered.
"say 1t isn't true-that Mr.. Go
burns only i'll. Taat it's an outral
for them to intruds like thisl"
"Mr. Dudley OF the Evening New
Is calling" announced the hall b
when Helen took down the receiver.
Hes downstairs" whispered HI
en-. her hand over the mouthpiece.
tell him ! can't gee him-I car
see anyonel Oh, yhsSn all have It
every paper win have it, moaningl
as Helen gave the message. al
they'll have all the rest, too.
"The rests" turning from the phon
"How he's been drinking for mont
the hall boys know how he com
home at night, ! thought It would
me he'd try to kiIl-he's threatened
enough. Oh. yes. he's already XIII
all the love ever had for him.
Love isn't so easily killed" We
tured Helen gently.
~Oh, know. suppose ] still ca
IN way. But you can't respect, mu