The Washington herald., 1917-05-07

per, II the only series now being writ
ten by Mabel Herbert Urner. .
I've come to stay to dinner" an
nounced Louise fumbling with an OBJ
stinate knot in her veil "A self-in-
yited guest"
We always love to have you-you
know that. Walt, let me unite it," Of
fered Helen. why dear, what's the
matter?" as the removed veil showed
Redeemed eyes.
Nothing" withdrawingly. I've had
a headache all day. suppose I do
look wretched. Oh, you ARE the love-
liest thing" STOPPING 10 stroke Pussy
Purr-mew. do you know I think her
coat gets heavier?
not wish to discuss it. was Helen's
swift inference, tactfully following her
lead to talk OF other things.
Was Bob coming to dinner too? Or
had she come here to avoid him? Helen
hesitated to put the question direct,
but later when she informed her casually
some mail, she informed her casually,
Dora, Mr.. and Mrs. Curtis will be
here for dinner. You'd better cook all
that spinach"
"oh, Bob's not coming" interrupted
Louise. II thought you knew"
why no, you didn't say" Then to
Dora, Just Mrs. Curtis"
'Bob's out of town. remarked
Louise with elaborate carelessness,
twirlinE the cord on the window shade.
"Oh, is he?" was Helen's scintillating
comment.
"Yes; he went out to the Rodmans
for the weekend. / believe he's coming
back on the fve-ten."
."Oh, is her" brilliantly varying her
observation.
So that was the quarrel! Louise, con-
sumingly Jealous OF Florence Rodman,
had refused to go. They had clashed
over it and Bob had gone alone. Now
she was Furnishing him by not being at
home when he returned.
However. respecting her evident desire
not to discuss 1t, Helen refrained from
making any further reference to Bob.
She must warn Warren before he saw
Louise. But she failed to hear his key
in the door, and he breezed in with dis
concerting suddenness
Hello, Louise" with brisk cordiality.
How're you? Bob here yet?"
''Bob's not coming
The deuce he isn't! Why not?' over
looking Helen's teIegraphic frown.
He's been out to the Rodmans for
the weekend. He may or may not get
in this evening"
"Oh"' lamely, catching Helen's signals
1t was not until Warren went in to
wash up that she had a chance to speak
to him alone.
Don't say anything more about Bot"
in cautious undertone. "She hates the
Rodmans and he's"
Another row. eh?" discarding a
frayed-edge collar.
He shouldn't have gone-he knows
she's jealous of Florence"
Expect man to cut out all his
friends because his wife's insanely Teal
ous? his scowling search for a partIcu-
lar tie upsetting the whole drawer.
shes never been jaiIous OF any one
except FlOrence-and you can't blame
her. The way she still fifrts with Rob
Is disgracefuL 1 know he doesn't care
for-he goes to see Paul But since Lou
ise feels so strongly about 1t he shouldn't
there's the phone"
Louise was in the library, gazing mood
lily out OF the window. when Helen ran
in to answer the clamoring telephone.
Hello! Yes this is Helen. e. .. Right
here-Tn call her"
IF that's Bob I don't care to sneak
TO him." announced Louise coIdly.
Now don't be foolish" covering the
transmitter. Hes Just in and"
Il don't care to speak to him." with
note OF warning finality
Why, I'm sorry, Bob-Louise isn't very
we'll" desperately resorting to an un-
truth. shes lying down. Could you
give me the message?"
He has no message to leave" repeat-
ing Bob's brusdue remark, as she hung
up the receiver.
Naturally not" with a shrug. He
knows I'm not ilI-that 1 simply won't
speak to him"
But, dear. does II help for you to"
Don't, Helen! This is one Of the times
l don't want advice. You're not hurt?"
quickly. her arm about her. You mustn't
be at anything I say tonight
Dora now announced dinner, and War
rem Joined them in the dining-room.
1t was a strained and uncomfortable
meal. Though Louise talked with unusual
animation, the forced note was evident,
and she ate almost nothing.
After dinner Warren, who had made no
effort TO conceal his grumpy disapproval.
retired behind the paper, while they went
into Helen's room.
WAS Bob ever engaged to Florence
Rodmsn?" demanded Louise abruptly.
mot that know Of" murmured Helen.
disconnected at this directness.
That first year after he left college
why he and Paul have always been
chums," evasively.
oh, that's what he says now" bitterly,
that it's her brother. OF course the in
vitations come from Paul. She never in
Vites him-she doesn't have to. But you
saw how she acted at the Harnards din
ner?"
Helen was silent. She had seen and re-
sented the proprietary air with which
Florence had monopolized Bob for that
entire evening.
That he had never cared for her seri-
ousiy, and that he was now too much in
love with his wife to give her a thought,
Helen knew. But to convince Louise OF
this would be difficult.
viii you phone for taxi?" suddenly.
: 'Bob's gone to the club by this time-so
| may as well go home"
knowing It would be futile to urge her
~