The Washington herald., 1917-07-30

the hoor by the open trunk, Like a
hot iron scared his scathing, I'VE see
too much OF each other. Well
have q weeks rest. It'll be q
darn good thing for US both"
He wanted to go aloneI He was
glad of this chance to get away from
her. Only the other day she had reau
an article about ''every husband and
wife needing a vacation from each
other" With a thrill Of elation she
had denied its truth.
A vacation from Warren? She was
never with him enough. But that was
only her side-the woman's side. Just
now with brutal frankness he had told
her that they saw too much Of each
other.
The article was right. 1t had been
written from a mans Hewpoint-ex-
pressing a masculine rebellion at q
too close companionship.
It was no longer a question Of the
trunk. She knew now that she would
go gladly-with only a handbag. Yet
II she had any vestige of pride, she
could make no further overtures. He
wanted to go alone. He had said so
with unmistakable plainness.
Her dung-out arms were recklessly
rumpling the sachet-scented lingerie.
as with despairing abandon she knelt
by the tray. After this even when
she did go, their trips would never be
the same. She would always feel that
he might prefer to go alone.
At that moment life to Helen SEEM
ed unutterably black. Waves OF
wretchedness engulfed her-a wretch
edness out Of all proportion to the
rfr ~
this, yet 1t did not lessen her suffer-
ing.
Coming to bed or not?" called War
rem with brusque irritability.
mo, I'll-Ill sleep in here" strug-
Cling to her feet.
Since he did not want her on the
trip, to choose to sleep in her own
room seemed a faint salving to her
hurt pride. But Warren. unimpressed,
called back raspingly:
See that you do then. Don't come
crawling in and wake me up in the
middle Of the night" as he slammed
the door.
A choking ache in her throat, Helen
cleared the couch. 1t was Uttered with
the things she was to wear or put in
at the last moment.
Each article brought a separate
stab. The corset in which she had
run new laces, the waist with the
fresh shields, and the list OF toilet
needs-al but two crossed of.
An hour ago she had laid out these
things in joyous expectancy Of the
trip-a trip with Warren. But now
The clock on her dressing table tick
ed on callously unheeding. Ten min
utes Of eleven!'
Shrinking from the sleepless hours
before her, she thought Of the seda-
tive powders the doctor had prescribed
when she was i'll. She had taken only
two-there was still one left II 1t had
not been thrown out.
An anxious, tremulous search
through the medicine chest, and she
found the small envelope marked
"Trional, Gr. x"
The next moment she had sifted the
white glistening powder on her tongue,
and washed down its bitterness with
q gulp Of water.
NoIselessly she closed the door. II
Warren wanted to go of alone in the
morning without arousing her-he
would not have to pass her door.
Too unhappy for her nightly beau
tifying rituals, Helen threw herself on
the narrow, uncomfortable box couch.
II only she could sleep until he was
gone-she would be spared a struggle
with her pride, and possibly another
humiliating scene.
Almost at once the browsing effects
OF the powder dulled the poignancy or
her wretchedness. Her tense nerves
relaxed. her thoughts grew soothing
ly vague-then blurred to an alleviat-
ing Inconsistencies.
After six!'
Through her dazed awakening War
ren's voice sounded strangely remote.
Ten after sixr' A brisk knock and
the door swung open, revealing him