The Washington herald., 1916-11-27

oei herpert Urner tor four years
'srhe Married Life Of Helen and WAR
rem" appearing exclusively In this
paper, II the only series now being
written by Mabel Herbert Urner.
ITO be tied down here with no future.
no prospects-nothingl Wasting my youth
the best of my life." Restiessly Mrs.
Wilbur thrust q slim silken foot In and
out Of her satin boudoir slipper.
But you have your home and your hus-
band ventured Helen. conscious Of the
triteness Of this homily.
"oh, that's what everybody harps on
as II that was the end Of q woman's
career. I know have talent, that ] could
do something with my voice II Frank
would only let me; but he keeps m.
buried here In this seven-room apartment.
I've grown to loathe It,"
| Disconnected at this unexpected conf
dence. Helen, with averted glance, twist.
ed the cord Of her beaded bag.
| Iou think shouldn't say this! But 8
makes me wild to feel I'm giving up my
youth-for this. Frank has no ambition;
he'll always stay IN q rut. He comes
home every night and Just wants to 81:
around and read. I can't drive him out
And yet many women would be glad
| II their husbands would stay home even
ings." said Helen. trying not to make It
sound Ike a preachment.
well, wish one Of them had married
Frank. Every evening and all day Sun
day-I set sick OF seeing him around. But
you can't understand: you're still in love
difference. Yet you've been married-how
long7"
Rive years" admitted Helen.
| Five years!' In amazement, adjusting 6
the rose satin pillow at her back. 'T was
in love with Frank for about six months.
oh, yes, / used to thrill at the thought
Of his coming home. Of being together;
but now he bores me to death. How did
you ever keep 1t alive-the thrill. mean. "
side my home" unused Helen. flushing
slightly.
| Its very wonderful" with a sigh. 'Td
give anything II I could fiutter over
Frank again
Helen was looking at the silver-framed
photograph on q table beside her. It was
the kindly face Of q clean. wholesome
man. Why had he failed to hold the love
of this vain. selfish little woman?
| The clock from the hall Ginning five.
Helen rose, gathering up her nun and
gloves.
Cant you stay till half-past7 I've the
blues SO today. can't bear to be alone"
Then suddenly dropping her head on her
arm, she burst into tears.
As Helen, dismayed. tried to comfort
her. she sobbed out an hysterlcal:
''Oh. I'm so wretched! hate my life.
I hate Frank, and at times I hate my
selfP'
Don't you think you're too self-cen-
teredT' hesitated Helen, when her soos
had quieted.
"selnsh. you meant Yes. know I'm
selfish, but how can 1 help It? How
can I force myself to love Frank when
don't? It's all very well to say you
should do this or that. but how can you
control what you feelr'
Before this logic Helen was helplessly
silent
"oh, I've thought It all out I've
walked UP and down these rooms until
I've almost lost my mindl know Frank
loves me. and he's what you'd call a
| good husband: but 1 can hardly bear
to have him to touch me-"
yet you loved him when you mar
ried him"
'Oh. yes" impatiently. "and for six
| months after, but 1 don't now. And II
I keep on living with him, I'll grow
to hate him. What's the solution? What
am to do? Pretend7 Suppose when he
comes home this evening I force myself
to pretend that 1 love him? He'd be in
the seventh Heaven-but It wouldn't
be true, and I couldn't keep It up"
The faint tapping Of the canary, peck
ing at seeds on the bottom Of its cage,
filled the silence. Helen watched the
yellow bobbing Head for several moments
before she asked.
III you were free to do what you
wished? II you were not married."
oh" her dark eyes glowed. 'Td take
a little studio somewhere and study! I'd
know a few interesting musical people
=" With an impatient gesture she rose
to answer the interrupting telephone
Yes, this is Mrs. Wilbur. st.
Luke's Hospital! - When she
turned from the instrument, even her lips
were colorless.
"Frank-he's been hurt-by a motor
truck" Already her nerveless hands
were tearing OF the silk iimono.
In the throbbing moments that fol-