The Washington herald., 1916-04-24

1t was a cheerful, mannish room,
in warm reds and browns. On a
magazine-strewn table stood shaded
reading lamp, and beside it an easy
leather chair. A moose head and
some mounted horns, souvenirs OF
his hunting trips, were on the wall.
Over the mantel were the only
things that Helen had so far recog-
nized-an early portrait of the for
mer Mrs. Dawson, and one of their
only child, Robert.
Eyes, that is Mr.. Dawson's little
boy" flushing slightly, as she saw
Helen's glance rest on the picture.
"Did-did you ever see him"
"Oh, yes, often. It's only been
about two years since he died. He
was drowned-but / suppose you
know about that"
1--WE heard something, but I've
never wanted to ask Mr.. Dawson
about it"
at was while they were in the
country. He was sailing a toy boat.
They never knew just how 1t hap
pened-only the nurse was with
him"
Helen felt her tense interest and
unspoken questions, but she shrank
from discussing the child. AS they
turned back into the bedroom, MIS-.
Dawson paused by the window, nerv-
ously pulling at the shade cord.
Those portraits were in this room,
but l couldn't bear that-so | hung
them in there. Perhaps shouldn't
speak of it, it may seem very. sell
fish-but | want so much to hang
the one of Mrs. Dawson down in the
back parlor with the other family
portraits. can't bear to ask Mr..
Dawson, but you've known them so
long-do you think it would hurt
him"
ooh, | don't know" faltcrcd Helen
in embarrassed surprise.
at fairly haunts mel can't bear
to go in that room. Shc-shc must
have been very beautiful"
That was painted when they were
first married" unguardedly. She
didn't look like that"
"Oh, she didn't?" turning eagerly.
"Was shc-much different"
The picture of Mrs. Dawson as
Helen knew her was very different
from this idealized portrait of her
youth. She knew that a frank de-
scription would case this young
brides disquieting jealousy, but she
could not give it. Her loyalty kept
her silent.
Forgive me- shouldn't have
asked. But you can't know how hard
it is. | feel always that I've only a
second place-that she was first. He's
everything to me, there was never
any one else in my lifc-but there
has been in his. | can't forget that. u
Helen was conscious of curious
feeling, almost OF satisfaction. In
stead Of the proud, insolent security
in her husbands love that she had
expected in this young and attractive
woman, there was uncertainty and
doubt, a brooding jealousy of a past
that she could never share.
She had transformed the house
Lavishly she had spent time and
money to obliteratc the atmosphere
of this other woman. In these rooms
there was nothing left as reminder
except the portrait, and that had
now become ranking obscssion.
please don't think ME unrespon-
sive," Helen was tracing a design or
the rose satin couch, "but you know
l was very fond of Mrs. Dawson"
"Oh, | know, and l hope you wont
misunderstood. But it's been very
hard-coming in among all these as
sociations. | almost wish we had
given up the house and taken ar
apartment"
Come back here and see my den,
Mr.. Dawson's voice came from the
hall. Then as he passed the. door
aren't we going to have tea, irene?
"Oh, OF course" hastily. I'll ring
for it now"
q say, this is corking room,
came Warren's voice. mo, thanks
I've smoked enough"
Irene" called her husband, lets
have the tea served in here"
"Oh, its much nicer in the sitting
room" Then hastily, But OF course
! if you'd rather
1t was served in the den, but Heller
noticed that Mrs Dawson sat with
her back to the portrait.
Hasn't Irene worked wonder: