The Madison journal. (Tallulah, Madison Parish, La.) 1888-current, 1917-10-13

Copyright 1871 by the Mcclure Newspaper Syndcate1

phone rang and Mrs. Reed whispered.
IN answer it,"
Does your head ache?" asked the
doctor.
~ though To locate the confused
throbbing pain. Helen raised her hand
10 her head. There was a blood-chill-
ing feel of crisp singed hair. Then
leaping terror as her fear-Stiffened fin
gers CROPPED over her face.
mo, your face isn't touched" com
forted the doctor. divining her fears.
you got Off very easy-gasoline is
dangerous stuff. Does that bandage
feel too tight?"
\ slam of the outer door. Though
her face was 10 the wall, she knew II
was Warren who burst into the room.
The next second he was kneeling
by the bed. The vague dread Of his
stern apprehension fell from her as she
felt his encircling arms.
ITS all right. Mr. Curtis" the doc
tors voice was quietly reassuring.
only a slight burn under the arm"
How did 1t happen?" huskily.
Cleaning something in gasoline"
Gasoline :" grOaned Warren.
Yes. they will use il. Your wife
ran out into the hall-worst thing she
could have done. If Mrs. Reed hadn't
thrown a rug about her it might have
been serious. Everybody else seemed
paralyzed."
Mrs. Reed, SO she owed her rescue
to Mrs Reed The words throbbed In
the blurred blackness before Helen's
closed eyes.
With awkward unsteady fingers
Warren was smoothing back the singed
hair.
"SheS suffering Il little from shock.
I'll leave some quieting powders In
case she can't sleep. You can give
her one at nine and repeat in an hour
if necessary. I'll call in the morning
10 dress the arm"
The doctor gone, Helen for the first
time looked up at Warren. He was
strangely white and haggard.
oh" family. they frightened you
when they phoned."
That's all right-don't think of me.
| Does your arm hurt?" still smoothing
the crisp. roughened hair.
! Her head moved in denial, not want
! ing to admit the pain.
Mrs. Reed. who had been waiting In
/ the other room. came to the door. You
don't need me now, Mr.. Curtis, but II
you should later-just phone down."
Il won't attempt to thank you. Mrs
Reed" Warren rose from the side OF
the bed. "There are some things yor
can"
ooh. please don't speak Of IL. Tn
very glad was able to do something
We had almost the same accident In
our family-I suppose that's why
thought of the rug"
He was following her to the door
Their low murmured voices came from
the hall.
Helen's turmoiled thoughts were re
hearsing the tragedy. The bathroom
What damage had been donef She has
visions of a heavy repair bill-of tn
tiled walls and porcelain tub crackes
by the flames.
Warren was again by the bed. bu
she did not look up. Just then 4
seemed easier to lie there witt
closed eyes. Now that they were alone
she was struggling against Mysteries
desire to burst into tears. Sh
yearned yet dreaded for him TO com
fort her.
There was a long silence. He wa
holding her hand, stroking slowly th
unbandaged arm. From the stree
came the rhythmic clatter Of hoof
and the receding rImbllng Of wheels.
"well. Kitten, how about the gase
line? Is one lesson going to b
enoughT'
Helen nodded, biting her lips I
steadiness. Another silence. Then sh
asked. quiveringly:
Dear. the bathroom Did-did
inture the walls or ceilingT
Haven't looked" briefly. Your
all right-that's all that counts An
damage is dirt cheap IL it'll make 20
leave that internal stuff alone
"Oh, I'll never use 1t again." chokin
back a sob. IN never even have !
in the house."
"AIl right, Kitten, / won't rub 1t In
A jolt like this is pretty tough on bot
of u.s." Then, with relieving hume
well, you won't have to frizz you
hair for a while. You've made pre-
| ~ .rood ioh of fhaf -