The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1917-11-29
MARRIED LIFE.
In Which Helen Has Tea With an Old
Friend and ReyiveS Old Memories.

Friend and REEVES Old Memories.
The music, the lights, the palms
all the alluring surroundings OF a
fashionable hotel tea room. Helen
leaned back in her chair and gazed at
the handsome, well groomed man OPP
posite her with feeling as though
she were living in a novel. She felt
quite sure that the heroine of mod
ern "best seller must have some of
the same sensations.
For the first time since she mar
ried she was sitting at the table alone
with a man who was not her husband
And the fact that she was not quite
sure as to the proprieties of the sit
uation gave to it an added glamor.
An hour ago, as she came out of a
Fifth avenue shop she had almost run
into a big, storm-coated hurrying
man.
81 beg your pardon" he murmured
hastily and was about to dash on,
when he stopped short:
"Why, it can't be!'
Her startled gaze changed to
happy recognition as she held out her
hand with a laughing, 81 guess it is"
When the first surprise of the
meeting was over, and Will Farrell
had explained how he was on here
from Colorado, where he had been
living for the last few years, he in
sisted that they go in somewhere
and have tea, and ''talk.'
"WHY SHOULDN'T -SHE?"
After a moments hesitation, Helen
Why shouldn't she have
tea with Will Farrell? The fact that
they had once been engaged should
not matter now.
He guided her through the crowded
hotel corridor and into secluded
corner of the palm room
AS he gave his coat, hat and stick
to the waiter, and ran his hand
through his hair, in the old familiar
way, Helen was filled with a rush of
memories.
"Here, let's go through with this
order-so we can talk. VIII you
have anything besides tea-a glass
of sherry, first? p
ooh, no-just tea and muffins.'
He laughed. $50 you still love
toasted mullins as much as ever"
She nodded, her color deepening.
"And now l suppose you want a
foot-stool and unsalted butter?"
She laughed. eyes, my wants
haven't materially changed
Nv, DuI tGyCI tIIlIlS SISc has. uG
answered gravely.
which Helen carefully rearranged the
silver by her plate. When she raised
her eyes it was to find his fixed on
her.
"Are you happy"
She started. "Why, how can you? ?"
"OF COURSE, I'M HAPPY"
ooh, there's no occasion for Sir or
How dare you ?'-I am asking you
perfectly simple question: Are you
happy?'
"Why, of course, of COURSE. I'm
happy"
"As happy as YOU thought you
would be-"
"Why, You haven't any right"
eyes, think haveA You put me
aside for a man you thought would
make you happier. That would give
me the right to ask you if he has,
'Of course, he has! Oh, why do
you talk like this? Y GU will make
me sorry came"
Every WE'LL" gently, eve will talk
of something else
And then he kept carefully away
from personalities as he told of his
ranch in Colorado and some mining
that had proven most prof
table
Their was about him the uncon-
scious force, the power, the indescrib-
able air of man of large affairs.
And Helen felt a vague sense of
peace and restfulness in his presence.
Her life had so long been made of
a strained, nervous attempt to keep
Warren in good humor, and to avoid
that to lean back now and
be entertained, to feel that she was
not in an atmosphere of irritability
and criticism, but of approval and adj
was for her a new and en-
joyable sensation.
Without anaylizing all this. she
only knew that the moment was a
very pleasant one. It was not until
she noticed the big clock at the end
of the room that she realized how
long they had been there.
"Oh, / must go-I had no idea it
was SO late" as she began to draw
on her gloves.
Outside, he motioned for taxicab,
and they were whirled up the avenue.
Helen leaned back, keenly conscious
Of the man beside her and of his con-
sciousness of her.
The Invitation to Dinner.
When they reached her apartment
he helped her out and stood bare
headed as he held her hand.
There was an awkward moment,
and then she said nervously.
ooh, you must come to dinner with
us before you leave town. l should
so like for you to meet Mr.. Curtis"
"Thank you; I should be glad to
come, but it would have to be this
week. as I am leaving Monday,
Saturday, then-are you free Sat
urday?"
"Quite Free he smiled.
Then at seven"
He bowed over her hand, and she
hurried up to her apartment.
Should she have asked him? She
had done Ii raes-untlSlv inan11lsiualx- 70