The Washington herald., 1917-09-24

Then lie there! What've you got to
get up for?"
"Oh. hate to be in bed on Sunday
when you're at home" protested
Helen, turning her hot, rumpled pill
low
We'll I'd rather have you there than
mopnS around" Warren was strug-
Cling with a heat-stuCk drawer. why
the Dickens don't you soap these
Every blamed drawer in the place
sticks"
Dear, it's the weather-you can't
help that. oh, wait, you'll pull off
the handles"
With a final Jerk the drawer few
open. topping over some bottles on
top. Cramming a fresh handkerchief
the dining-room for the morning paper.
Dear. send Nora in she called
after him, wincing at his curt indiffer-
ence.
AR you sick, ma'am?" sympathIzed
Nora, when she came to the door.
only a sick headache" wearily.
but I'm afraid 1 can't get up. l
don't want any breakfast-but have
everything nice for Mr.. Curtis. You'll
have to pour his coffee. Two Jumps
and put the cream in first. You've
seen me fix It."
1t was a hot, airless morning The
sun lay in scorching streaks across
the bed. Drawing down the dark
shades Helen crept back with throb-
bling dizziness.
Her rare headaches were always
severe. Warren's business had kept
them in town all summer. and now
she was suffering from the heat and
her general rundown condition.
With increasing wretchedncss
she tossed restleSsly in the tumbled
bed. The drawn blinds made the
room stifiingly close.
Taking a sheet and pillow she
went in to the library couch. 1t was
cooler there. the sun had not reach
Hello, moved in here" when
later Warren came in from a hearty.
leisurely breakfast. Don't you
want some coffee and toast? No?
Well. il you're upset-less you eat
the better
Tossing her part Of the volumin-
Gus paper, he settled himself in
sprawlinE ease, his back towards
her, his feet on the window-sill.
1t was with irritable impatience
that, a few minutes later. he threw
down his cigar and rose to answer
the disturbing telephone.
Hello! Oh. Hello,
there, how are you? Afraid
we can't today-Mrs. Curtis is un-
der the weather.
THE Stevens?" interrupted Helen
eNcitedly. Dear. you go! You
don't have to stay with me"
Sure, you'll be all right?" Then
into the phone without waiting for
her to answer. "She says for me
to gO-she'l have a quiet day alone.
Right away? Fine! So
Shielding her face with her up
stretched arm. Helen bit to steadi-
ness her quivering lips. Even
though she had insisted-she had
hoped and believed he would re-
fuse.
He was in the bedroom now, get
ting ready. He was even whistling,
The old choking lump was in her
throat
Now sure you'll be all right?"
when in less than half an hour the
car was announced. Don't get up.
Try to sleep it off-that's the best
things" and with a hasty kiss he
was gone.
From behind the sheltering cur
tain, Helen looked down at the
car. Mr.. Stevens was in
the front seat, Mrs. Stevens and
her sister. Irene. in the back. They
all leaned forward in greeting as
came out.
Were they asking about her?
There seemed no disappointment
nor concern in their attitude, for
the whole party suggested a joyous
holiday as the -glistening road
ster glided off.
Dropping back on the couch,
Helen gave herself up to brooding
wretchedness. He used to be anx- |
.ous and concerned when she was
i'll. Now he was callously indif- |
'erent.
Was It because she was I'll so
much? She had not been really |
well all summer. Was it her fire. !
luent complaining that had dulled !
his solicitude?
In these brOoding moods, HeIen's
views were always distorted. Now