The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1917-07-23

ed Warren. Not eating anything.
You used to have a pretty healthy
appetite"
"Dieting!" drawled Mr.. Forbes.
She lives on spinach these days"
"Oh, I'm so sorry" murmured Helen.
IF I'd only known"
I'm very glad you didn't" he as
sured her. I'm sick of seeing It,"
But why spinach" asked Warren
untactfully.
ITO reduce. tell her if she'd ex-
ercise instead of starving herself
she'd get some results
"Oh, I Just can't take exercises-I
loath that sort Of thing" was his
wifes laughing admission. I'd rath-
er do without food.
But why? You're not stout" in
sisted Warren calamity.
You don't know how stout I'd be
II l didn't diet" Then turning to
Helen, You're very fortunate, Mrs
Curtis; you're one of these enviable
people who can eat anything"
Was this admission as frank and
generous as it seemed? Or did it
imply such a confidence in her own
attractiveness that she could risk this
seemingly depreciating comparison?
Not for a moment did Helen doubt
that Mrs. Forbes was equally con-
scious of the situation. OF course she
was thinking OF the days when she
held Warren's boyish affections. Every
woman feels a vague resentment to-
wards the wife of the man who was
once in love with her.
With strict imparttality Helen in
ventoried Mrs. Forbes assets. She
had a grand dame air. wore her
clothes with a striking style, was
prominent socially and wealthy in her
own name.
Though Warren had a profound con-
tempt for any man who married for
money, yet did he never think what
her money might have meant in his
career had he married Flo Arnold?
With equal impartiality Helen dis
sected herself She had no money,
was not prominent socially-and
never would be. She had not a
grand dame air. and her style was
not striking. But she was younger,
slightcr, more girlish, and she hon
estly thought more attractive.
Above all, and this she told herself
with passionate conviction, she made
Warren a much better wife. Mrs.
Forbes would never have humored,
petted and waited on him-nor would
she have meekly put up with his
churlish irritability. The very fact
of her money would have made her
more independent. No, they would
never have lived together five years.
Helen felt a glow of elation at this
conclusion.
And that day We went skating on
Mallard's pond-when Ed Wilson
broke through. I'll never forget the
way the others hung back while you
dragged him out" flattered Mrs.
Forbes. They were all afraid OF the
soft ice, but 1 don't think you even
thought of it."
you were mighty plucky yourself
that day." returned Warren. Poor,
old Ed, the last I heard he was rum
ming a one-horse drug store in Min
neapolis. He never seemed to make
good, somehow"
Helen listened with Jealous intent
ness to these "reminiscences, for her
polite formal conversation with the
gracious but slightly bored Mr.. Forbes
did not require much effort. He was
good looking in a well-groomed,
''man-about-town" way, but he
seemed colorless beside Warren's
forceful personality.
1t was quite plain that he was
dominated by his wife. That they
"got along" fairly well, but with very
little sentiment, was also evident.
The departure of their dinner guests
was usually followed by a post
I'll, L.
undress. This evening with strained
circumstances she waited for
warren's opening comment.
Glad they're going to live in New
York-we'l see a lot Of them next win
ter! Flo's a mighty nice girl" light
ing a fresh cigar. Looked stunning,
too, didn't she?"
Yes, she knows how to wear her
clothes" coldly.
''Why, what's the NATTER" her I'M
responsiveness dawning upon him.
Didn't you like her? Didn't you two
hit It Off"
why yes. Of course" Then quite
casually, "She's rather stout, don't
you Think"
"Flo's a tall. well-built woman-she
can carry a little weight"
"a little weight" flashed Helen.
IF it hadn't been for that two hun
dred dollar gown, cut to perfection,
she'd look not only stout-but fat"
That's a pleasing little remark.
Shows such a kindly spirit
"Oh, 1 suppose that was catfish
but can't help being little Jealous.
You know she used to be wild about
you-and she likes you yet"
"Ratst' with an incredulous snort.