The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1917-11-30

Helen was in a nutter Of excited
preparation. It was Saturday, the
day she had asked Will Terrell to
dine.
With some misgiving, she had told
Warren of the invitation, but he had
only grunted an indifferent ooh, if
you want to have him, all right.
met him once, and he seemed to me
pretty much of a chump.
why, he's anything but that" an
swered Helen, Indignantly. and il
he comes, want you to be particu-
larly nice to him.
rAll right" carelessly, "bring hin,
on
And with this assurance of his con-
sent, Helen had prepared the dinner
with much care.
There can be no more delicate or
interesting situation for any woman
than that of entertaining, after her
marriage, q man who wanted to
marry her.
And to the possibilities of this sit
uation, Helen was keenly alive. She
wanted him to see her home, her baby
and her husband at their best.
It was almost six o'clock and she
was putting the last touches to the
table before hurrying to dress.
Here, Della, fill this silver sal,
cellar. And that isn't the dish fol-
the olives. / told you to use the one
with the handle. And put some more
ice on the celery; want it to be very
crisp"
Her Fears for Warren.
By half past six, she was dressed
and was laying out Warren's clothes
He had promised to come home early
Surely, he wasn't going to be late to-
night!
At a quarter to seven he had not
come. The lump that always arose
in Helen's throat when she thought
herself flagrantly neglected or mis-.
treated was now lodged there. Was
he going to fail her tonight?
Seven o'clock brought Mr.. Farrell
seeming bigger and better groomec
Helen led the way to the library anc
motioned him to a morris chair BY
the gas logs, which she had just lit
Il am so CORY Mr.. Curtis has beer
detained. But I'm sure he will be
here any moment now"
She tried to talk eagerly, so that
he might not see her eagerness about
Warren.
what a delightful apartment you
have here he commented.
ooh, yes, we like it very much
It's very convenient; just block from
the subway. Mr.. Curtis can reach
his office in twenty minuts."
"Shall 1 serve dinner, now, Ma'am
or wait for Mr.. Curtis 2" asked Della
appearing at the door.
ooh, why-I guess well wait for 9
few minutes. He's certain to be here
very soon. I can't imagine what has
detained him so long,
Another half hour passed, ant
Helen, knowing the dinner would b
spoiled if they waited any longer
ordered Della to serve it.
Here He Is Now" She Said.
They were hardly seated when thu
hall door opened.
ooh, there is Mr.. Curtisr' an.
nounced Helen, joyously.
She thought, of course, he would
go to his room and freshen ND be.
fore coming to the table. But, to he,
surprise, he bolted right in upor
them.
One glance at his flushed face AND
over brilliant eyes and Helen knew
that he had been drinking!
"Ah, that's right-that's right
Glad You didn't wait" with q foolish
smile that always came when he wa.
half intoxicated.
Warren. Helen's voice was seri
ously strained, II want you to NEE,
Mr.. Farrell again. I believe you die
meet several years ago."
"Why. of course, Of course! How
are you, Farrell, old man? Might,
glad to have you with u.s."
Helen half rose from the place al
the head of the table which she hai
taken that she might serve in hi:
absence.
"Oh, no-no, my dear, keep you,
seat. The head Of the table for The
Madame every time, Ell, Farrell?
Helen felt herself grow sick-cold
tremblingly sick. II only he wouldn',
talk, they might get through the din
ner somehow. But, with him, drink
always brought first foolish, maud
lin volubility, followed later by ar
irritable sullenness. And now he was
just in the height Of the silly, garrul-
Gus stage.
Here Della brought in the roast and
placed it before him.
ooh, I will carve tonight, Della,