The Washington herald., 1916-12-25

for some explanation, but there was
none. 1t was conclusive proof Of how
little he thought of her, how little re-
spect he had for his wife.
At last the frosted globes shone out
before q familiar canopied entrance. She
stumbled up the steps and the plates glass
door was swung open by Ed, the hall
boy, whose genial. freckled face reflected
his concern at her wind-blown dishevel-
ment.
"Oh. the-the taxi broke down." the lie
seemed her only refuge.
The nail and elevator struck warm to
her frozen numbness. At the apartment
door her rigid fingers could barely turn
the latch-key. Inside, the dark silen &c
was pierced with the hiss of escaping
steam.
In her own room. she switched on the
lights, letting her wrap fall from her,
as she peeled the long kid gloves from
her reddened, aching hands Then heed
less OF her light skirts, she dropped on
the floor by the radiator.
you never know your husband! You
can be married for years and then dis
cover some unexpected smaIlness and
meanness." Where was II she had read
that Just the other day. She could see
the printed words In the center Of the
page, on the left hand side. They had
impressed her at the time, but now they
seemed beating through her.
Whatever Warren's other faults, 5he
had never though him small or mercen-
ary-yet tonight he had shown himself
TO be both. And he had talked for ef-
1ect-a thing OF which she had thought
him incapable Before the Stevenses he
had said taxi. but In the hall he had
slipped her a QuarterI
In Sick upheaval she dropped her head
against the chair beside her. At that
moment Warren seemed like a stranger
you may live with your husband for
years-and then discover some unexpect-
ed smallness and meanness," was the bit
ter refrain OF her thoughts.
The dresser clock, with stolid indifrer.
ence. licked away the moments. Stin she
crouched there on the floor, her head on
her arms, while Pussy Purr-mew, plead
ing for attention. rubbed unnoticed
against her
The hall door opened and closed. She
heard Warren go into the bedroom. Not
fnding her there. his quick step led to
her door.
Well saw Harrington all right Got
an appointment for Why, you're stfll
dressed? Cold? Feel bad?" coming near
er: Why. Kitten. what's the matterr'
with note Of alarm he lifted her head.
Nothing" frigidly drawing away. Then
without glancing toward him, she rose
from the floor and stood before the Dress
lng-table, slowly taking out her hairpins.
Look here. what's struck you" sharp
ly. Are you sickT'
II shouldn't think you'd he rnuch co,-
cerned II I were," voicing a well-worn
feminine phrase of reproach.
Ihe cold sarcasm in her tone was so
startlingly unlike her. that Warren stared
astounded.
What's struck you anyway" he re-
peated stupidity. Then with enliehten-
ment, oh. sore because I sent YOU horne
alone en-? Well I thought seeing Har-
rimSton was important enough to"
oh' that was quite all right" shaking
down her long hair. IT didn't mind walk
ing twelve blocksi"
walking twelve blocks, What the
sam Hill. Couldn't you get a taxir-
brush. e "on
"A quarter?" stentoriousIy.
suppose 1 could have taken a street
out preferred to walk" carefully
separating her hair for a braid.
moments silence then with a cpr,o,,s
note In his voice,
so you've still got that uuarterr-
would you like 1t back her forc.d
cam breaking to hysterical laugh. ar,
right there in my bag"
The beaded bag had fallen to the noo.
with her gloves. A grim smile twitcbtno .
his mouth. Warren caught II nm ana
shook out its contents on the lace-scarfad
dresser. leu
A powder-pufr. hair-pins, a tiny mirror
and single COMA cleaning five-dollar =
gold piece!
Helen stared 1t transhxed. Than o..
her mistake dawned upon her there cav
a rush Of relieving. bouying emotIons
From the black depths Of the last ferv
hours she was swung to the very heights
her doubts Of Warren seemed now In
conceivable: How could she have barhor-
ed such disioyalty? wi
On was thinking such dread,p,
things" she said abJectedIy repentsnt
her flushed face boring into the starcheS
plaits Of his evening shirt front. .'Oh
dear. 1 ought to have known YOU were
too big and fine to"
Cut IT." snapped Warren wbo
ioathed any emotional ANALYSIS. "Hav-
ing the time OF your life. whoonin .
up the tempermental rag-ehT We'll
hereafter be sure of your facts before
you shoot off the heroicsi-
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