The Elbert County tribune., 1917-08-10


pumps, yet her gushing enthusiasm
was undampened.
As Warren's unresponsiveness grew
more marked, the more profuse and
superlative became her admiring ex-
clamations.
1t was after ten before they finally
escaped and made their way up to the
guest room, followed by Mrs. Barclays
assurance that they would sleep well
In this pure country air."
"Why the Sam Hill did they drag us
through that cellar?" exploded War
ren, as he peeled off his coat and flung
himself into a chair by the window.
st was tiresome," Helen, slipping
OFF the cramping pumps, got into her
bedroom slippers from the suitcase.
"And you wouldn't say thing-I had
to do 1t ALL
"Yes, you laid 1t on pretty thick"
"Did / overdo it?" anxiously.
"Oh, they swallowed 1t all right"
well, they expected us to admire
things. They built the house them
selves-I suppose that's why they're
so proud of it."
"Huh. wouldn't live out in this god
forsaken place If they'd give 1t to me.
See here, can't we raise this Internal
thing" trying to shove up the window
screen. Cant get a breath of air."
"oh, don't put that up! The room'll
be full of mosquitoes"
'Well, it's hot as Hades up here. I'll
go down and have a smoke and cool
off while you potter around"
Fortunately, the guestroom had its
own bath, and Helen was soon in a tub
of cooling water.
While in relaxing WEAKNESS she lay
there, her idle glance traced a long
crack in the painted wall. She had no.
ticed a similar crack in the papered
ceiling of the dining room. And yet
Mrs. Barclay had repeatedly insisted
that the house was 80 well built
When she was ready for bed, mur-
mur of voices came from the porch be-
low. If Warren was down there with
Mr.. Barclay, he might stay another
hour. She turned out the lights, for
they only added to the heat.
The bed was by the window. Mus
ingly she gazed out at the dark coun-
try road, occasionally lit by the search
| light of a passing motor. There is
nothing more tiring than visiting"
and Helen, thoroughly exhausted, soon
dozed OFF to the murmurous treble of
the tree frogs.
| A slamming door and the glare of a
disturbing light.
"By George, what do you think?"
Warren was standing before the dress
er unbuttoning his collar.
"Oh, 1 was asleep" resentfully, shad-
ing her blinking eyes.
"Well, this'll wake you up" scratch
ing the back of his neck with a rem
iniscent grin. Barclays been trying
to sell me the house !"
"No!' Helen sat up in bed, now
thoroughly awake.
yep. That's why they shot OF all
that hot air and dragged us over every
inch of the blooming place."
''But they're wild about It'll Why
should they want to sell it?'
"Sh-sh, not so loud-these walls are
pretty thin. He put 1t square up to
me, and 1 had to do some mighty quick
sidestepping. Didn't want to turn
him down too hard. After your fool
gushing over everything-he thought
he had a snap"
"But why?" persisted Helen. what
excuse did he give?"
"Oh, he's strung long yarn about
needing the money In his business.
Said he had pretty hard year and
they really couldn't afford 1t. OF
course that's all bunk. He's sick of
the place and wants to dump it. That's
why they've been trying to get us out
here all spring-the whole things
frame-up."
'No-no, 1 can't believe she wants
him to SELL"
"You can't, eh2 Well, she came out
while we were talking-had her part
down pat She threw in lot Of slush
about 1t breaking her heart, but since
they had to sell. she'd rather we'd have
1t than anyone else"
With a contemptuous grunt, War
ren disappeared in the bathroom, while
Helen. still sitting up in bed, tried to
digest this astounding piece Of news.
''Dear can't understand it." when
he came out.
"Got IN elephant on their hands and
want to unload it, that's ALL" as the
bed creaked under his weight. But
they tackled the wrong party" with a
chuckle. "Tll be pretty far in my
dotage before anybo1y1l wish a coun-
try place on me. More heat, more
mosquitoes and more discomforts to
the square inch"
"Yes, this rooms sitting" admit
ted Helen. 'There's not breath of
air."
"And we've got to get up in time to
catch that seven-forty. Darn glad I
don't have to catch 1t every morning."
adjusting his pillow with a vicious
| IL.