The Washington herald., 1917-08-27

Over the small shop door was a
crude painting Of a deceased rat, and
the red-lettered sign,
vERBIIN EXTERMINAToRs
Fumigating a Speciality
Fifteen Years Experience
With a shudder OF repulsion, Helen
glanced at the window display of
dead insects. A large sheet of paper
was strewn thick with reaches. ants
and water-bugs-a loathsome proof of
the efficiency of Sure Death" pyra-
mided cans OF which filed the win
dow.
Inside. the low shelf-lined walls
were crowded with cans and boxes
OF the various death-dealing prepara-
tions.
Helen's color deepened as she ap-
preached the man behind the counter.
A moments awkward hesitation, then
in low-voiced embarrassment.
live never had any trouble be-
fore-but we've an antique wooden
bed
Best exterpinator on the market" Z"
with brisk matter-of-factness, taking
down a red-labeled can. Eighty
cents a quart-forty a pint. How
many beds did you say?"
"Oh, only one that 1 need this for"
flushing deeper. "We-we've never
had any trouble before" she repeated,
as a salve to her modification.
"A pintl be plenty. Do you want
a spray?" Then at her confused help
lessness, Better take one. Seventy
five altogether" wrapping them up.
Helen's face still burned as she left
the shop and hurried homeward. Her
reputation as an immaculate house.
keeper seemed forever tarnished.
Only that morning she had discov-
cred the tragedy. There had been
certain evidences the night before.
from which she alone had suffered.
Either Warren had slept too soundly
or was not so vulnerable.
When she reached the apartment,
Nora had the bed all apart and was
washing the wooden Stats with am
monia water Pussy Purr-mew, perch-
ed on the high-boy, was watching the
operation with grave concern.
why, the Gordon's can see right
in!'' hastily pulling down the shades
and switching on the lights. II
wouldn't have Mrs. Gordon know for
worldsm"
Wen. they've got reaches" COM
batted Nora Il saw their girl sprin-
Kiln borax around the sink-and we
amt got one!"
Reaches were obnoxious, but they
did not carry with them the stigma OF
quite such slothful housekeeping. One
could talk of them openly, they were
not mentioned under the breath as a
tatbooed subject in polite society.
"Did-did you find" as she un-
wrapped the can and spray.
Only three, ma am, but 1 always
knew you'd have trouble with this
bed. I've never yet seen a wood
en-"
We'll, I wouldn't have a brass bed
in here" sharply. "It would spoil the
whole room," with a glance of ap-
proyal at the antique high-boy and
chest of drawers, to which the four
poster seemed to belong.
Slipping on an old house dress and
an enveloping gingham apron, Helen
went grimly to work This was some
thing she could not leave to the maid.
She must see herself that it was done
with painstaking thoroughness.
Nora, we're not going to have half
enough. You'll have to go out for
another can"
But you're wasting 1t, ma'am. You
don't have to use that much.'
III use gallon rather than go
through this again. It's a little
shop just OF the Avenue-you'u see
the sign. You can't miss it."
Nora had been gone only a few
moments when the bell rang. 1t was
not the kitchen but the front door
bell! Who could it be? She. would
not answer it! Another peal! It might
be the oilcloth she had ordered from
Wardman's.
In the hall she tried to peer through
the green silk that covered the glass
paneled door, but she could distin-
guish only a dark form. Even the
outline was indistinct. A shadowy
arm was extended and the bell rang
again.
Standing well back, she opened the
door an inquiring inch. A glimpse of
white linen skirt and the brim of a
white leghorn hat. It was Carrie.
"Oh, that you, Helen? Where's the
maid! I've been ringing for the last
half hour"
Her assertive sister-in-Iaw had
pushed her way into the hall. With
amazed inquiry she was staring at
Helen's flushed, soiled dishevelment,
which was in shrieking contrast to
her own exquisite freshness.
We'll. Of all things! Cleaning house
this hot day? Where's Nora?"
Il sent her out on an errand. Oh,
that's all torn up" hastily, for as she
led the way to the library, Carrie
paused to peer into the bedroom.
Then coolly ignoring Helen's pro-