South Bend news-times., 1915-02-16

lL only couple OF docks from mere.
Can't you come too. and have some
tea?"
Helen hesitated. then yielded 10
Mrs. Merwin's urgent invitation.
She had met the Merwins on the
steamer. They had sat the same table
on the return voyage and seen great
deal OF each other during the trip.
And now Mrs. Merwin's greeting, as
they met Unexpectedly on Fifth av.,
was most cordial.
Don't you want 10 come up 20 the
rooms? It's much quieter. and I'll or
der tea up there" she suggested as
they pushed through the heavy re-
volving door of the Hotel Astorf.
The atmosphere, the appointments
OF a big luxurious hotel had always
a certain charm for Helen, charm
that would probably be dispelled
should she 1--we at one for any length
OF time
They left the elevator at the eighth
floor, and Mrs. Merwin led the way
up the hall to an expensive suite of
bedrooms. sitting room and bathroom.
She telephOned down for the tea,
ordering with IL two cocktails.
"Oh. yes, we must have something
to drink" as she hung up the receiver.
.1've besn blue all day. Oh, think
New York is the most lonely place.
Ill be glad when we get away"
But you're so pleasantly situated
here" protested Helen, glancing round
the attractive rooms. And don't you
find this hotel very good? I've always
heard that the service here was ex.
cellent"
"Oh, I almost hate IL. I've been so
unhappy since we camel"
Helen looked up, surprised at the
tremor IN her voice.
You know. we'd planned TO go on
10 Denver, but-but Mr.. Merwin's S
business has kept US here. Now II
don't know when we'll get away"
She had laid aside her hat, and as
she leaned back in a chair by the
window, Helen saw how tired and
worn she looked. on the steamer she
had been most attractive and the cen
ter OF much attention But now she
was pale and Hstless with haggard
lines around her eyes and mouth.
What could have happened to have
changed her in so short time?
In a few moments the waiter came
with the tea. On the tray were two
SANDER glasses into which he poured
the cocktail from a silver shaker.
Mrs Merwin slipped her eagerly, and a
faint color relieved her pallOr
Momentarily 1t seemed 10 cheer her
and they talked OF the people they
had met on the steamer several Of
whom Mrs. Merwin had seen since.
Then the phone rang and she start
ed so violently that the tea splashed
from the cup she was holding. The
phone was on the wall by the door,
and Helen could not help but notice
how her hand trembled when she took
down the receiver.
She Breaks Down.
mo, Mr.. MerWin is not here.
I'm sorry, but I don't know anything
about that. I'm sure hr. Merwin will
make it all right. 49, Yes, as soon as
he comes in"
Hardly had she left the phone when
the bell rang again.
''Mr. Merwin is not in. No, he
hasn't an office in New York. At six?
lie may be here then, but I'm not
sure"
To Helen's dlsmay as Mrs. Merwin
turned from the phone she suddenly
leaned against the wall and burst into
tears.
"Oh, I can't stand 1t any longer-I
can't'-she sObbed. They're always
calling him up-The people he Owesl
And he's drinking and gambling away
all his money"
For a moment Helen hardly knew
what 10 say, then she made a strained
But the emotions which had evidently
been pent up for days were finding
expression and she sObbed out to
Helen the whole wretched story.
The mining scheme that Mr.. Mer-
win had been promoting in London
had fallen through when they reached
New York He had borrowed money
from every one he knew, trying to pro-
mote some other stock. That, too.
had been a failure. and now they had
not even money enough TO pay their
hotel bill-and they owed for three
weeks.
but why do you keep these ex-
pensive rooms?' ventured Helen.
Wouldn't you stay at some cheaper
hotel. or even at a boarding house?"
Yes. but we can't leave until we
pay the bill. We can't even take
cheaper rooms here, for that would
make them suspicious They think
Mr.. Merwin has money, he always
spent il so freely. II they didn't think
that. they wouldn't keep giving us
credit in the restaurant-and we've
got to eat somewhere"
But IL you keep on running up
this bill"
Always Promoting.
"Oh, Frank keeps thinking hen get
money sOmeWhere-he's always full OF
schemes" bitterly. It's always pro-
noting - promoting - promoting.
hate the very word II he'd only get
uNNn 10 SOule IttiA WOIh Any lLl4IR
that would give him a regular salary
instead OF trying TO live eXtrava-
gantly on lot OF promoting schemes
"Oh know I'm dislOyal to talk like
this. for when he's got money he's
the most generous man in the world
But lately everything has gone against
him-and he's drinking! oh. I cant
tell you-he hasn't been himself for
DAYS And last night"-again she
gave way to sObs-
A knock at the door. and she start
ed with a haunted look.
''Do you want me 10 answer it, ask
ed Helen.
She sobbed, pushing back her l1ail
and brushing away the tears But il
was only a bellboy with a large pack
age.
Try This for Piles