The Ordway new era., 1917-10-12

x.s., as.e.,. u,... Through the dark
ness cleaned the
smooth whiteness Of the empty bed.
"Dear, she's not in yet" hurrying
back to the bedroom. TITS after
eleven"
"Here's q button to sew on" War
rem flung her the vest he had Just
taken OF.
Must do 1t now7 VIII you wear
this suit tomorrow"
Eyes, and az this while you're at
It," taking OF his suspenders, one
leather loop Of which was torn.
Drawing a chair to her sewing ta-
BILE, Helen searched for Q gray vest
button and listened expectantly for
Dora. To stay out after eleven the
maid was supposed to ask permission.
but Of late Dora had seemed inclined
to ignore this rule.
"She hasn't come yet," worriedly,
when she laid the vest and suspend
ers ON the chair with Warren's
clothes.
"what of itr' He came out Of the
bathroom rubbing his wet hair with a
towel. "You can't make 'em toe the
mark all the time"
"But how'll tell her about break.
fastT
leave q note on her door. Hustle
now-itrl take you an hour to get to
bed"
Pinning a hastily scrawled note on
Dora's door, Helen hurried through
her bath. By the time she was ready
for bed, Warren was asleep and she
crept in without arousing him.
The library clock struck twelve, but
still there was no sound Of Dora COM
ing in. So the girl was deliberately
ignoring her ordersl She would speak
to her very plainly tomorrow.
Doing off, Helen was awakened by
| sound from the kitchen. Sitting up
In bed, she listened tensely.
Then, feeling for her slippers, she
groped her way out through the din
ing room. But Dora's room was still
dark and empty. Pussy Purr-Mew
must have been the intruder, for now
she was rubbing against Helen's night
gown, her soft fur tickling her bare
ankles.
"What the devil are you prowling
about fort" growled Warren, when she
came back to bed.
II thought heard Dora"
"Jumping up every ten minutes to
see If she's in, eh? Well, you cut that
and go to Sleep"
Turning over, with enforced quiet,
Helen tried to induce drowsiness. But
the clock struck one before her brood
, ing indignation merged into a dream
worried stupor.
"Eh? What time is that7" Warren
was on his elbow peering blindingly
at the bedside clock.
Instantly awake, Helen sprang up
with dismayed:
"Oh-oh, it's after seveni And you
wanted an early breakfastw
"Never get anything you want in
this house," as he lurched out Of bed.
'Tll hurry her upl Breakfast'll be
ready by the time you are"
It was not until Helen ran out to
the dining room and was confronted
by the drawn shades and unset table
that the memory Of Dora's late hours
came with rush.
So she had oversight This was the
result of her staying out until after
midnight. But at the sight Of the note
still pinned to her door. Helen's fam-
ing indignation changed to anxiety.
Bursting into the room, the empty
bed and Dora's idle apron held an
alarming note. Something must have
happened.
A sudden shrilling Of the phone con-
frmed her fears. Stumbling over the
trailing cord Of her bathrobe, she
reached the instrument.
"Helloi I'm Dora's sister," The
voice was blurringly foreign. "She's
lost her pocketbook with all her
money-more'n $40. I had her stay
with me-ahd she cried most all
night. She's real sick this morning
with one Of her bad headaches
she'll be there to get dinner. She's
real scared that you'll be mad"
Relieved that It was nothing worse.
Helen expressed her sympathy for the
lost purse. and intimatsd that she
would not be severe with Dora-lf shs
came In tims TO get dinner.
Warren, who was shav1nG. received
the hurried accent of Dorais mis-
fost1ne WITH 1 nencommit4nl orunt. y
svFhAt aheat besalEel1tts pur11ne
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