The Caldwell watchman. (Columbia, La.) 1885-1946, 1915-07-16


Mabel r. Urner. "Oh, didn't
think Mr.. Colburn
drank" murmured Helen regretfully
And she's so young and pretty.
"Rosie-that's their maid-sald he
lost a sight Of blood fore they cOuld
get a doctor. She said she came down
to the laundry fore daylight to wash
out the sheets and thinss-so no
bodv'd know. They've got 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,
maam," 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 if you can come up for
few moments? Mr. Colburn's been
taken very sick"
Why, yes, of course, Tell her I'll
be up right away
Without waiting tc change her
morning gown, Helen slipped over 1t
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 thell
apartment. Even the hall was perme
ated with strong smell of antiseptics
She was met by trained nurse,
capable, but severe-looking woman
whose rigid white uniform only EN-
phasized her austerity
1--WE been trying to persuade Mrs
Colburn to sleep, but she insisted OF
sending for you She says she know
no one else here. Will you come int
her room?'
The room was close and overheateC
The blinds were drawn and a singl
shaded light glowed on the dressin
table. Mrs. COlburn, with an en-
broidered Japanese robe over he
nightgown, was sitting on the edge c
the bed
She started up as Helen entered
with an excited, breathless. 81 war
you to help me! Help me to keep thi
out of the papers! A reporter jus
phoned--I told him it wasn't true-bu
he didn't believe me. Can your hui
band stop the story? If he'll stop
=. in his paper"
His paper?" repeated Helen blanl
4 "Why, yes-the Star! They tol
me he was the managing editor
MONO, the initials are the same
W. E. Curtis-but he's not even a re
alive"
"Oh!" it was like a wall of despa
as she sank back on the bed.
I'm so sorry" murmured Hele,
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. II haven't seen him sint
the doctor left don't want to- bi
terly. "Oh, if I can just keep it out
the papers-that's all l ask. Isn't thel
any way"
Here the phone beside the be
shrilled out, and she caught Helen
arm with a convulsive, ITS anoth'
reporter know it is! You answer
I'm afraid to!'
What shall say" bewildered.
Say it isn't true-that Mr.. CO
burns only i'll. That it's an outras
for them to intrude like this!"
"Mr. Dudley of the Evening New
is calling" announced the hall bt
when Helen took down the receiver.
He's downstairs" whispered He
en-, her hand over the mouthpiece.
"Tell him l can't see him-1 car
see anyone! Oh, they'll all have it
every paper will have it," moaningl
as Helen gave the message. "A1
they'll have all the rest, too"
THE rest?" turning from the phon
How he's been drinking for montl
the hall boys know how he com
home at night thought it would
me he'd try to kill-he's threatened
enough. Oh, yes, he's already KILL
all the love ever had for him.
Love isn't SO easily killed, We
tured Helen gently.
"Oh. / know, l suppose l still ca
in way. But you can't respect, mu'