The Washington herald., 1917-11-12

Would it be all right to call him
up?p ventured Helen doubtfully.
! why not? Invite him here to the
hotel-for lunch or tea" Warren's
voice was crisply matter-of-fact
Then motioning to the waiter for the
] check, Now don't you hurry.
Finish your breakfast-but I've got to
/ get on
Then won't see you until dinnerF'
wistfully.
mo, I've a pretty full day. Now
our train leaves at $50. I'll be here
around six. Have everything packed
we'll give up the room before din
ner"
With a vague sense of loneliness
Helen watched him string out through
the columned dining-room and disap-
pear into the bronze-leathered lobby.
Pouring a second cup of coffee from
the large pot for two-soc." she fin-
ished the Spanish omelet Propped
against the water bottle was her
mothers letter with the closing para
graph:
IF you are going to be in st. Louis
for few days, why don't you look
up Guy Bolton? He has been in busl-
ness there for several years-and they
say he's doing very well. His father
is getting feeble and can't do much.
They say Guy sends him $50 every
month-so he must be doing we'll"
Anything more, ma'am?" The
waiter, having already received his
tip, was now anxious to clear the
table.
Gathering up her letter and the
tag-jangling key. Helen went up to
their room. A carpet-sweeper and
waste-basket outside the door pro-
claimed the presence of the chamber
maid.
IN be through in a few minutes.
| ma'am," as Helen entered.
But with absorbed intentness, Helen
was already turning through the
telephone book. Boland. Boiling, Boil
ton-her scanning finger stopped
Bolton, Guy NJ, Consltg. Engr.
MI. Bnk. Bldg. Main 1890"
Consulting engineer! That implied
success and offluence.
A flood of memories swept Helen
! back to that summer when Guy Boil
ton, home from college, had pursued
her with ardent attentions. She could
see him now. lolling on the veranda
in white fannels or playing croquet
on the shady lawn.
She had not even known that be
| was in st. Louis until she received
her mothers letter. And now they
were leaving tonight. Should she call
him up and invite him to luncheon
or tea, rs Warren had suggested
There was a ranking sense OF pique
NIN - o.
her to see aim. His very Indifference
showed an unfiattering lack of Jeal-
ousy,
"Cnsltg. Engr.. MI Bnk. Bldg.." Her
gaze again on the abbreviated address.
Her love Of e dramatic situation was
urging her to the telephone. It was
ten o'clock. He would probably be
at his office now. She drew the desk
| instrument towards her.
| What would she say first? His sec
retary would probably answer, for his
name in heavy type implied a switch
board and a large office.
For long moment she hesitated,
her hand on the receiver. Then reck-
lessly, her heart beating fast. she
called a fluttering.
Main $3.50"
A pulsing wait. then a mans grufr,
"Hello!"
"I should like to speak to Mr.
Bolton"
who's calling?" infiexitly.
Mrs. Curtis from New York" in a
tone meant to be impressive.
Mr.. Bolton will be back in half an
hour. If you'll give your number,
I'll have him call you up
Helen gave her hotel address and
explained that they were leaving that
evening.
Disappointed and irritated she turn
ed from the desk. What II her mes
sage should not be delivered? She
could not call again. What II Guy,
failing to recognize her married name,
lid not trouble to phone.
Eleven. hslf-past-but the telephone
remained sIllenly silent
He was not going to call her up.
What If he had received her message
and was deliberately ignoring it?
Her face famed at the thought. He
might not care to renew their ac-
quaintance! He might even think
she was trying to renew 1t with a
purpose. But at this scorching thought
the telephone shrilled out.
"Helloi This Is Mr.. Bottoms Of
fee. Mr.. Bolton wishes to speak to
Mrs. Curtis"
Then almost instantly deep.
Hello" Then a vibrant This can't
be Helen Allen?''
"-it's NrA curtis now" hsr cheek