Middletown transcript., 1917-11-17

'T'e never even met her"
you've, met him." inpatient!
Explain that l had a long-distanc
call at the last moment and had t
go back to the Office to send off som
papers. Don't let them wait dinner
I'll be there as soon as can."
Here the taxi drew up, Warre
sprang out, repeated the address, "2
East - street." to the driver, wave
his hat to Helen, and disappeare
down the subway steps,
Speeding on, Helen shrank farthe
back in the seclusion Of the cab, in
tent on the ordeal before her. AL
though Mr.. Gardner. who was one o
Warren's clients, had dined with then
several months before, Helen had neve
met Mrs. Gardner, which increased tn,
awkwardness Of her going alone.
That they were wealthy she knew
but she was not prepared for the pre-
;tentious mansion before which the cal
finally stopped.
The massive bronze doors were
opened by gold-laced footman, ant
Helen found herself in a magnificent
hallway hung with tapestries.
Warren had said that the Gardners
lived rather well, but this palatia
grandeur was most disconcerting.
Relieved Of her wraps, with confused
uncertainty Helen made her way uI
the marble staircase, at the top OF
which stood another iveried servant
In the white and gold room beyond
were a number of guests, the women
brilliantly gowned. Anxiously Helen
looked about for Mr.. Gardner, her
color deepening as she waited in shrink.
ing embarrassment.
AS another couple entered, the host
ess, a tall woman in a marvellous jew
eled gown, detached herself from a
chattering group and came forward.
She greeted the newcomers, and then
turned to Helen, extending her hand
with murmured formality and look of
puzzled inquiry.
I'm Mrs. Curtis,' stammeringly.
"Just as we started Mr.. Curtis had a
long-distance call from Washington,
and had to go back to the office. He
said he knew you'd pardon him-he'n
be here before dinners over"
"Oh, certainly" vaguely, passing on
to greet other guests.
Everyone seemed to know everyone
else. Only Helen stood in isolated con-
spicuousness. From the invitation she
had thought it was to be an informal
dinner party with only a few guests,
but there were at least so people here
now.
Talking with a group under a gilt
tering chandelier, Mrs. Gardner kept
glancing toward her. There was a
haughty aloofness, almost hostility, in
her gaze. Was it because of Warren's
delay?
Now she had moved toward the
door and was speaking to the footman.
Instantly the man shot Helen a swift,
suspicious glance.
What did it mean? What kind of
hostess was Mrs. Gardner so to iso-
late any one Of her guests?
Here two servants entered, each
with a large silver tray laden with
cocktails. Not wishing to seem more
conspicuous by refusing, Helen took
one of the glasses, her hand trembling
as she lifted it from the tray.
She was quiveringly conscious that
the doorman was watching her, and
one of the guests to whom Mrs. Gard
ner was talking now glanced at her Gu
riously. Flamingly bewildered and in
dignant, Helen stood in helpless confu-
sion.
When the glasses were collected, re-
turning hers untouched to the tray, she
asked with low-voiced intensity, isn't
Mr.. Gardner here?"
The man stared, then passed on
with naughty, 81 do not know,
madam"
AS he left the room he was stopped
Ivy the doorman. For moment they
stood in whispered conversations and
Helen, with anguished self-conscious-
ness, knew that it was Of her they
were speaking.
The situation was unbearable. She
would wait for Warren in the dressing
room. She would make him take her
home. Not eyel ut the risk of estrang-
ing an influential client would she dine
ct this house.
With averted eyes Helen crossed the
room, flamingly conscious of the curl
Gus glances that followed her. The at
tendant stood stiffiy mobile as she
;passed him, but when she reached the
stairs he was beside her.
Pardon me, madam. Is there any
thing you wish?"
81 shall wait downstairs for my hus-
band"
"Oh, / guess not" with a sneer. his
respectful servility falling from him
like a mask. you're not expecting
anybody here
'What do you mean?" paled Helen
Then, impelled by an unreasoning
fear, she flew down the stairs and
into the dressing room, but the man
was close behind.
Pushing ahead, he spoke to the maid
in voluble French. Then in brutal Eng
lish, "Give her her things-and see
that she takes Dothing else"
The g''hme staring insolently,
brotlghtry willis wraps, which the
fun GERMANY :, running his hand in
the satin pocket of her
col