The Caldwell watchman. (Columbia, La.) 1885-1946, 1915-07-30

~ ! glance over her
shoulder, and she
Mabel II. Urner. darted in, closed
49, the door, locked
and leaned against it, trembling with
and terror.
Don't let him in" Historically. IF
he comes after mech, don't let him
in."
Without stopping to question her,
Helen drew her into her room, and
snatched from the closet a bathrobe
and slippers.
Come over here by the radiator.
You shouldn't have come down those
stone steps in your bare feet" Helen's
voice was soothingly matter of fact.
"Oh, / didn't have time-I was in
bed when he came in" incoherently.
I'm afraid of him! Oh. can't go
back-Im never going back"
Il wouldn't talk about it now" wrap
ping the robe around her. Get warm
first; you're chilled through. Would
you like little brandy
"No-no." with shuddering revul-
sion, for alcohol was the cause Of her
husbands brutality. "Oh. you won't
let him in-say that you WON'T"
"Of course not" reassuringly. but
he'll not come down here. II he's
been drinking. he won't want US to
see him."
"Oh, he wouldn't care He doesn't
care for anything when he's like this.
Look" barring her arm to purple
bruise on the white skin. "Oh, what
ever he says-you won't let him in?'
Il told you / wouldn't! Wait, Ill
tell Mr.. Curtis. No, keep that around
you-you're shivering.'
Ever since the night Mr.. Colburn
had shot himself, Helen had been
: vaguely ap1rehensive; and now Mrs.
Colburn's dramatic appearance seemed
but the elimination of her fears.
That Warren would be strongly op
posed tc getting mixed up in any fam
lily trouble Helen knew, and she ap
preached him with much misgiving.
Dear, it's Mrs Colburn! He's beer
drinking again-she's afraid he'll come
after her. We've mustn't let him II
If he does"
why en- earth did she come doWl
here?" sternly. ITO rope US into
family row."
"She doesn't know anyone else Il
the house. She says he's wild-h
drove her out in her bare feet"
Huh, one of these hysterical won
en-! Don't know much about Colburr
but from what I've seen of him h
seems to be fairly decent Sort
She says he is-except when ne
drinking. You know that night h
tried to kill himself"
What's she going to do? Sh
can't stay here all night
Eyes, she can-in my room! We
have tc let her stay Oh, what
that?" as the bell rang clamorousl!
How do you know it's he:
brusquely shaking her OH.
From the shadowy hall Helen Ii
tened tensely as he opened the doc
as Mrs. Colburn here?" 1t was tn
nightelevator boy. "Mr Colour
would like to see her
'Very well, I'll give her the me
sage" gruffly slamming the door.
Infinitely relieved, Helen ran bat
Ito MIS-. Colburn, who was crouchlr
By the radiator in wide-eyed terror.
He only sent the elevator boy
. soothingly. you see, he's not col
ing himself-I knew he wouldn't. No
lie down; you're all a.quiver.'
But she was still pathetically al
tated.
I'll heat you glass of milk. That
quieting, and maybe after while "
can get little sleep
Sleep? You think | can sleel
OH" with a convulsive start as Il
phone trembled out alarmingly SIR
in the night quiet. "Oh. that's ne
know it is! | won't speak to hin
Historically, Il can't"
Warren was taking down the
ceiver when Helen ran in with Wh
pered, Say she's all unstrung! 5
can't come to the phone!"
Nice mess you're getting US II
Then sharply, Hello! "
Mrs. Colburn can't come
the phone now. She's ill-Mrs. Cur
has her in bed. She'll be up as SO
as she feels better" abruptly cutti
OF.
From the door of Helen's room M
Colburn had listened terrorized.
He'll come down himself mex
frantically. 'Oh, / know he viii
IF he does, you won't have to
him." Helen assured her. Now
to get quiet-try to relax. You're Of
working yourself up"
Helen brought her the warm mi
hui she was too thoroughly unstru