The Dolores star., 1915-04-09

HCaub Noot ShINS thouo0hu.
Think I'll turn that DOWN."
Helen did not answer. With tremu-
lous fingers she was tearing at the
margin OF the Final Extra" with its
naring war headlines.
There's no risk, I tell you" persist
ed Warren. "London's all right. and
I'll be back in less than month. Now.
for heavens sake. cut the hysteria.
Business here Is dead! I'm not max
ing enough to pay the Office rent. II
I've got a chance like this-l'd be =
chump not to take it
Helen swallowed hard at the lump
In her throat.
"Jove. I'll have to hustle to meet
Grifiin at $780," glancing at his watch.
YOU'D better be getting my things
together. That small steamer trunk
In the storeroom?"
She nodded.
We'll, give me the stOreroom key
and Ill have the elevator boy bring
II up. Get me an umbrella, will you?
Drizzling when l came in"
Helen got the key and the umbrella,
and followed him to the door. As he
took his hat from the hall rack he
stopped to kiss her with q brisk:
Now, don't be silly. You ought to
b deuced glad this offer came my
way. Don't sit up for me. Grifiin's
going over the whole case tonight
only chance we'll have" And with q
cheerful so long," Warren stepped
into the elevator.
From the front room window Helen
gazed down at the umbrella that came
out and bobbed up the street. She
was still dazed from the announce
ment he had made at dinner with such
brutal abruptness.
Mr.. Griffin had today offered him
$1,000 II he would make a rush trip to
London to look after some interest In
. stock company that had become in
volved since the war.
Helen had heard the details only
vaguely. Sailing on the st. Paul to-
morrow noon," was the part that had
scared into her mind. Warren had ia
booed her fears. London was safe,
perfectly safe. and he would be home
In less than q month. Three thousand
and all expenses paid-it was an offer
to jump At.
A deafening thunder crash. zig
Jagged streak OF lightning-and the
rain came down in sheets. 1t was the
climax. as It were, to her own terrify-
ing thoughts. The curtains were
soaked before her hands. weak with
trembling. could put down the win
dows.
Then, with her nerves still a-quiver,
What could It be? No one would call
SO late!
II was the bellboy with the trunk.
"Mr. Curtis said you wanted this up
tonight"
oh. yes. tust-just take 1t in there
In the bedroom"
With the lump Tightening in her
throat, Helen looked down at the
trunk. which bore the labels OF their
London trip two years ago. She had
been going with him then. She
thought of all the Joyous preparation
for that trip!
Now he was going alone-with all
Europe at war! What might not hap
pen? Her mind was filled with lurid
pictures OF possible dangers. How
could he consider the money com.
pensation?
Mechanically Helen unlocked the
trunk. The tray was empty. Under.
meath were two steamer rugs, a shawl
strap, a heavy trunk strap. Warren's
travelling cap and an air pillow.
Slowly she took out the things and
scooped up the scattered moth balls.
For long time she knelt there. the
rugs on her knee. fumbling with the
balls she had thrown into the cap.
Her breath came fast. Her hand
elenched tight over the crunchins
balls. Then she started up. threw the
things on the bed. rushed out to the
hall and rang peremptorily for the ele
Vator. Not until the car shot up did
/ sha taka hap n An Angar fraTN shh lint