The Washington herald., 1917-01-23

The taxi! She had entirely forgotten
IL Hurrtedly she explained that IL had
| not come in time.
From the window she saw the cab turn
and drive away. Should she have given
the man something? Was 1t fair to bring
him out on such a night and dismiss him,
even II he was half an hour late?
But her. remose over the driver soon
merged into thoughts Of Warren's father
She was dressed now. ready to go, should
they phone for her.
Restlessly she wandered from window
to window. gazing out at the still, snow
blurred night Her hands were icy; at
that hour there was little heat Striv-
ing to dispell the chill gloom, she turned
on all the lights
| That her father-in-law was considered
wealthy, Helen knew. He owned several
houses and lots in the Bronx, beside
the house he lived in. What would his
dea h mean to Warren? There were fve
children Ten, fifteen, perhaps twenty
thousand dollars. was vaguely in her
mind as Wsrrens share.
Then her face burnt hotly. as she again
realized the trend OF her reflections. Was
she wholly mercenary that she should
think of these things now, or did every
one harbor such thoughts-and not ad-
NIT them
| Again she tried to force a throb Of
grief or affection for her father-in-law
| But she could feel nothing except the
awe solemnity that the nearing of death
always brought
Was she utterly cold and hard? Just
Yesterday she had come home in tears
over Il wretched horse a boy had brutal
ly whipped. For two blocks she had
run after II, trying to read the name
on the wagon and looking vainly for a
| policeman Over any mistreated ami
4rT1e
ing, yet Warren's father was dying and
she was unmoved
| What IL she should be fearless at the
funeral How could she feign a grief
she did not feel?
1t was after 8. Why had not Warren
telephoned? She kept glancing at the
stolidly silent instrument.
She shrank from calling him. II his
| father should be sinking II would be
needlessly painful for any of them to
have to answer the telephone.
| A sound Of steps through the dining
room. 1t was Jane, blinking sleepily, a
kimono thrown shawl-fashion over her
! nightgown.
Il heard you up. ma am" staring in
amazement at Helen, fully dressed.
Mr.. Curtis father is very i'll. They've
sent for him."
Awkwardly the girl expressed her SYM
pathy. Then as she turned back:
IF you're goin' to stay up, ma'am.
can't make you a cup Of cofree?'
Mot now; you go back to bed, Jane.
There's nothing you can do. I'll call you
II there is"
Turning out the lights, still dressed,
Helen lay down on the couch. She would
try to get some rest. 1t was useless for
her to stay up. There was nothing to be
done
A dull gray was now filtering through
the windows. Faint sounds of early
morning traffic came through the muffinS
srow.
She could not sleep Her rebellious
thoughts kept reverting to the funeral.
the estate. and the possible terms of the
will. Twenty thousand, fifteen, even ten
would mean a great deal to them.
"WarrenT She was out in the hall at
the sound of the slamming door.
The hall was dark and she could not
see his face. With a breathcaught in
tensity she waited for him to speak.
Fathers better" he shook the snow
from his overcoat IT'S only a light
stroke. Doctor Kelly was there and I
sent for Doctor Reeves. They both say
there's no immediate danger"
"Oh, dear. I'm so gald!" her voice broke
with a throb of real emotion as, her
arms about him. she pressed her face
to his cold cheek.
|
dropped on the couch relaxingly. But
for a man of his age. fathers got a
mighty strong constitution. He's always
taken care of himself-that's what's
pulling him through"
i He had drawn her down beside him. and
with her head against his shoulder she
was sobbing brokenly.
why, Kitten" touched at this demon
stration. Fathers going to get through
all right Well both go over after break
fast"
1t was not his father! The emotion
had been purely superfcial-the reaction
of taut nerves. She hated herself for thi!
seeming deceit.
Had Warren known her thoughts dur
ing the ntght-how he would despise her
But now he was caressing her with un
wonted tenderness because of few
nervous tears, that he attributed to ;
deep concern for his father.
The deception had been unintentional
! yet Helen was swept with self-loathing
Again her mind throbbed with the in
exorable ouestion-was she really NOR
sordid and mercenary than other WON
en-. or only more morbidly introspective7