The Washington herald., 1917-06-18


could dof'
Yes, I know Laura's very bitter, but
she's been through a great deal. You
didn't even"
You needn't catalogue my failingseI
know them ALL" grimly But I'm what
I've always been. II Laura loved me
enough to marry me-I've a right now to
see her and-the child!''
Helen started. So he didn't even
KNOW! She tried TO tell him, but the
words would not come.
"Oh. well" with a shrug, IT won't
| hound her. But I'd like to leave this"
drawing out a thin. shabby wallet. 'T
don't suppose Laura'n take It, but you
can use It for something for the-boy."
Tremulously Helen took the bills. She
could not tell him.
I'm case you should want me-" he was
scribbling an address on the back of a
card, IN be there-tin Saturday."
Then as he turned to go. he took Helen's
! hand in a painful grip.
In a daze OF conflicting emotions she
hurried back through the pungent iodo-
formed hall to room 14A. A slight fever
ish flush had tinged Laura's pallor and
not put into words.
You're very hard. Laura. You
should've seen him"
"Oh, IS that what he said?" withdraw
ingly. That I'm hard"
mo, I'm saying that. He's been in
Philadelphia-in an orchestra. He didn't
know until last night. He gave me this"
unfolding the bills. 'If you won't take
1t, LIN to spend 1t for-for you," again
Helen's courage failed. She could not say
that he thought the child was living.
WAS that all?" Laura was shading her
eyes from the light. You were out there
almost half an hour
Detecting the hungry note Helen re-
peated every word of the interview. She
admitted that he looked older-as though
he had suffered.
Laura had thrown her arm across her
eyes, and now as she turned. through the
V-shaped opening of her nightgown
Helen caught the gleam OF a small gold
locket Instantly she recognized it-and
knew that it held his picture.
Did Laura still care? II she did, would
reconciliation bring her either peace
or happiness? Should she try to bring
them together? Or would 1t mean only
further wretchedness?
''1'n have to ask you to go now,"
it was the cold, professional voice of the
nurse. Mrs. Marsten's not strong enough
to talk so long"
Il didn't realize how long I've stayed"
Helen rose apologetically.
Just a few moments" Laura half rose
from her pillow. There's something 1
want to"
you can't talk any more now" with a
note of brusque finality.
Yes. you mustn't overtax your
strength" conceded Helen, not wishing
to antagoniZe the offcious nurse III!
come tomorrow afternoon"
Hurrying homeward through the sultry
glare Of the sinking sun, Helen was
haunted by the troubled wistfulness in
Laura's eyes as they had followed her
to the door.
What had she wanted to say? How far
would her yielding mood toward her
husband have carried her? Was she re-
gretting that she had not seen him?
When she reached home a last fiery
sun-ray slanting across the library to the
very edge OF the desk telephone! To
Helen's stirred imagination it seemed like
flaming answer to her indecision.
without stopping to reason she yielded
to the urging impulses. Taking down
the receiver she gave the number scrawl-
ed on the card.
"Clark's hotel? I'd like to
speak to Mr.. Marsten."
A moments wait, then Marsten's
Hello" The wire carried his anxious
intensity.
This is Mrs. Curtis. Perhaps you'd
No. I'm not sure-but she may"
Then hearing a familiar bang of the
hall door, Helen abruptly cut off.
"Jove, it's hot and stickyw Warren
flung himself into a chair by the open
window.
Dear. I've just been to the hospital.
Ed came while I was there-and she
wouldn't even see him"
Should hope not" grimly, elevating his
feet to the window-seat. HE had a
nerve to show up"
But after all he's her husband. I sup
pose he has a right -"
Left her to shift for herself all these
months. eh? And now turns up on his
| rights? Well, he better steer clear of me
I'll give it to him straight"
Helen was helplessly silent. Warren's
scorn for this ne'r-do-well condemned her
own feminine weakening before the ro-
mantle appeal of a love denied.
His sweeping denunciation dispelled her
| confidence. Should she have telephoned?
What would result from her impulsive in
terference-a reconciliation or a deepened
enlightenment?
And to Laura which would bring the
less unhappiness-the fewer heart-aches?
Copyright 1871