South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1915-02-18
THEIR MARRIED LIFE
By MABEL HERBERT URNER
HELEN aIERWIN PRosTR ATED BEING ASKED
TO LEAVE

NO, no, ] cont want 10 speak 10
him-not after last night" excitedlv.
Il think you'd better come"
Helen helped her out of bed but
even at the phone Mrs Merwin still
clung 10 her. holding her SO close that
she could not help but hear distinctly
the mans voice at the other end of
the wire.
Don't worry Agnes. I've got the
money. 1 went to d Turkish bath 10
sober up and met VIII Gordon. He
let me have $500 because of that time
l helped him out. / m coming right
up now to pay the bill and wen be
out of the hotel today"
"Oh, I'm SO glad" she was sobbing
with relief After you left they sent
me note-the most awful note. ASK
ing for their rooms. ON, l never want
to see anyone OF them again. 1 only
want to get away How soon Will
you be here?"
IN half an hour 1 stopped to
phone because ! knew you were
worrying. Now buck up, little wom-
an, there's TO be no more booze. I'm
through with it, And I've got more
good news. VIII Gordon put me on
TO sure thing-a South Ame=;can
deal ne S putting through He's going
TO let me in on the ground floor, and
Wen be on easy street in few
weeks"
When she hung up the receiver she
flung back her long tangled hair with
joyous.
''He has the money! He's coming
in half an hour. Now we can pay our
bin and get away from here. Oh, l
want TO be ready by the time he
comes"
But you hayne't had any break
fast" protested Helen, noticing how
weak and trembling she was. You
must eat something first"
"Oh, no, no. wouldn't order any
thing from this place, 1 couldn't eat
it if 1 did. If youll only help me
pack. There're just these two
trunks" throwing Up the lid of a large
wardrobe trunk
Then let me start to pack while
you dress" said Helen soothingly.
Just tell me what you want put in
first"
"Oh, throw them in any way-it
doesn't matter Nothing matters, if
We can only get away from here"
As Helen packed the French gowns
and hand-embroidered lingerie she
could not help but wonder at the Mer-
wins extravaganza. 1t was plain that
when they had money they spent it.
His clothes were as expensive as
hers. All bis underwear and hosiery
were of 50. and his shirts were all
custom maNe. Everything bore the
mark of an exclusive Fifth av or Re-
gent St haberdasher
Nov I'm sure everything will be
all right" reassuringly. And when
Mir. Merwin does get on his feet again
If you'd only persuade him to put
something aside"
"Oh, l know know we ought to
save, cut we never do" bitterly. But
it's never been so bad as this before
it may be a lesson. / can't believe
that he'll ever subject me to such
humiliation again"
I'm sure he won't cOmfortingly.
How can j thank you for coming
this morning." as she followed Helen
to the elevator. 4 don't know what
/ should have done alone. Just as
we're settled I'll let you know"
When Helen passed out through
the lobby she saw Mr.. Merwin stand
ing at the desk with a wallet in his
hand, evidently paying his bill Tall
well-grOomed, with an undeniable air
Of distinction he did not look like a
man who had just been asked to leave
the hotel.
Would this humiliation be the salu-
tary lesson he needed? Would he
keep the promise he had just made
his wife? or would he go on, drag
ging her with him, to still further
disgrace?