The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1916-04-10


field in "The Music Master" War
rem. had taken her to that---it was
before they were engaged. She re-
membered her dress, pale blue or
candle. He had stepped on the
flounce--how contrite he had been
Determinedly she put back the book.
She could have wasted over it the
whole afternoon.
A set of twelve whist boards. No
one played duplicate whist now, yet
it was a much better game than
bridge Perhaps it would come in
again.
A hideous cushion top-irregular
pieces of velvet and silk, >eat-stitched
together. Helen longed to throw it
away, but at the memory of her
childish pride in the work reluctantly
she put it back
A hand-painted plaque, water lilies
in a pea-green pond, even more
hideous than the cushion. Last win
ter some artists had held a bad
Taste Exhibition" What choice con-
tributions those would have nadel
An ash tray, lined with cigar
bands. Was she ever guilty Of such
insanity?
An old leather writing case of
Wsrren's. HHotel Metropole, Lon
don" was the heading on some let
ter paper inside. That was his trip
before they were married. An old
White Star sailing list and a Lon
don Northwestern time table were in
one of the pockets. An envelope ad-
dressed to "Mr. Warren z. Curtis,
Care S. S. Adristic." It-was in a
woman's writing.
Dear Warren;
am sending with this book
get a good rest on the steamer and
perhaps meet some pleasant people. I
certainly shall miss you and shall be
glad when you are back again.
Remember you are to write me and
mail it as soon as you land. You
know you promised to write often-to
answer my letters as soon as you re-
to write TOO often.
"I know you will find London inter-
esting, but / hope not so interesting
s2 akH yGGR DID nd H2 nss ts Ss
thought of six weeks could seem so
long.
with best w .s,: s;,ou.
Marion Wendell! The letter
proved what Helen had always
thought-that she had cared! She had
cared enough to write this, for there
was betrayal in every line.
She had never married. Was that
the reason? She was rich and attrac-
tive. Why had not Warren cared
Athrill with the thought that this
woman had loved her husband, Helen
sat musing over the letter.
And Warren-had he known? lust
last year her father had died leaving
Marion and her brother large for
tune. Did Warren ever think what
such wealth might have meant to his
careerl
But he was so fercely independ-
ent, could he have been happy with
a rich wife? He always made scath-
ing comments about any man who
married money. Could that have
been the barrier?
will l make cream sauce for
them lima beans, ma'am"
why, Dora, it's not after hve!
with startled glance at the dresser
clock. Then hurriedly: "No, Mr.. Cur
it's likes them just with butter
Stumbling to her feet, Helen push
ed back the trunk against the wall,
leaving the rest of the clearing out
for tomorrow,
Still under the influence of Marion
Wendell's letter, her mind throbbed
with questions.
A hurried bath, and she took out
her new taffeta evening gown. She
did her hair high, the way Warren
liked it, and rubbed her cheeks with
ice to make them glow.
When she was through she looked
long in the mirror. How would she
compare now with Marion Wendell?
He had only seen her at her best
when she was dressed to receive him.
Did he ever make comparisons?
"Hellol Somebody for dinner?" was
Warren's greeting, half an hour later.
mo, dear"
Then why the glad rags?"
Cant l dress for you sometimes? ?
"Huh, splurge your best duds
around the house-then raise a howl
that you've nothing fit to wear. . love