Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1915-10-06

AiuooiSu LII d CO1uSf OF the COuCn, Sn0
would not even Ii down. Yet the bit
terness she had felt for her husband
was gradually changing to a consum-
ing anxiety.
"Oh, Tiff anything should happen,
If he should try to-Oh, he's desper-
ate enough to do anything-and he's
up there all alone!S
"But you say it's only at you that
he gets so enraged! Now that he's
alone-he'll quiet down.
IF l could be sure of that! But he
was SO violent-he might" Then
impulsively, wouldn't Mr.. Curtis go
up-just for moment?'
81 don't know" doubtfully, feeling
it would be difficult to persuade War
rem to such an errand.
PIT as Mrs Colburn's anxiety grew
to a sort of frenzy, Helen reluctantly
consented to ask him.
How longs this going to keep up?"
he demanded irritably, as Helen came
into the library. I'd like to get to
bed some time before morning."
Dear, now she's afraid he'll do
something desperate. You know he
did try to kill himself. Couldn't you
go up-just to see if he's all right?"
mo. I couldn't" raspingly. What
excuse have got for butting in?''
But if he's been drinking, he
won't"
We'll, he's not too drunk to resent
my blowing in this time Of night
What could I say? I'd feel like a
fool"
IF anything should happen! She
says he's just in the mood-Oh, War
rem, do go! You're always so tactful
you'll know what to say!"
At last, with grumbling unwilling
ness, Warren started for the door.
Mice job you've handed me. I'll
feel like a fool, I tell you,' as he
banged out with angry emphasis.
In what condition would he find
Mr.. Colburn, wondered Helen uneas-
lily. Would he be violent and abu-
sive? Would he resent Warren's in
reference?
Mrs. Colburn, every nerve taut, was
waiting with feverish apprehension
for Warren's return. It seemed an
hour before they heard his heavy
step in the hall
He's all right" as Helen met him
anxiously. Il got him to bed; he'll
sleep it off by morning"
Did he say anything? Did he send
any message to-her?"
mot a word. We didn't talk about
it. He said his nerves had gone back
on him, and he'd been drinking a lit
tie too much. He's not a bad sort
I'll wager she's one of these hysteri
cal women-drive any man to drink
Warren, that's not true. She's
done everything for him."
Huh, throws a fit every time he
has couple of beers. I know the
type. Now, here's where we turn in!
I've got to work tomorrow"
With feverish intensity Mrs. Col
burn started up as Helen entered.
Mr.. Curtis has put him to bed Hf
said he'll sleep it off-that he'll be al
right in the morning"
OH" with a sob of relief. Their
raising her eyes dark-ringed with SUI
fering, DIDO you Think faltering
ly, that = ought to go up?"
That's something you must decide
for yourself" gently.
ooh, it's always like this-I alwayt
weaken. I've started to leave him
dozen times-and I always go back
Even now I'm wondering if he's Gov
cred up-if he won't take cold"
81 know, it's the mother instinct
every woman has it. Yes" musingly
perhaps you'd better go back-you1
be more content. And after this,
Helen tried to say it hopefully, 81
may not happen again.
ooh, I don't delude myself an
more" with weary bitterness. It'll
happen again. It'll keep on happier
ing, until he"
you mustn't think that. Some
times just by thinking We. NJ
keep that robe around YOU
Helen followed her to the door, an
waited until she disappeared up tn
dimly lit stairs that wound aroun
the elevator shaft. Then from abov
came the faint sound Of a closin
door.
When she finally crept into be
Warren was asleep. She tried not t
awaken him, but he turned over hea'
lily, with muttered, well, has sh
quieted DOWN.
Dear, she's gone back,
Huh contemptuously, "got owe
her heroics, Ell? What about he
never going back and all that ret?
Helen did not answer. Anythin
she could say would only arouse h
combativeIess, and just now sh
shrank from his cynical comments
AS she lay there watching the whit
curtain fiutter out in the darkness, sh
was picturing Mrs. Colburn, tuckin
the covers about her wine-drugge
husband. 80
1t was the mother love that ha
IL