The Knoxville independent. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1894-current, 1917-06-30


ally by her. But before the overwhelm-
ing disaster Of this reckless marriage
she felt helpless.
"The maids out-Tll have to CO."
starting up at peal of the door bell
Then at the sound of heavy steps. ooh,
Warren's going. Who can it be; it's
after nine" glancing at the dresser
clock.
Mumbling voices from the hall, and
Warren called curtly:
"Mr. Marsten to see Laura"
ed" all the color left her face.
sHow did he know you were here7"
whispered Helen.
"Mrs. Burrows knew, but / didn't
think she'd tell him. Oh, I can't see
him--I don't want to see him."
you'll have to, now that he's here.r
"Oh, he mustn't know that you
know" exe~dly. He'd feel free to
tell every ono
"Then go in, quick, so he don't think
we're talking about hip."
"Come In with mo; you do the talk
Ing" dragging Helen after her.
In the library Warren was making
a desultory effort to entertain Ed Mar
stem, whom he thoroughly disliked.
With forced cordially Helen greeted
him.
II hope 1 haven't intruded," with
easy grace. "They told me Miss Will
son was here, and 1 thought I'd stop
by and take her home"
The next few noments would have
been awkwardly constrained, had it
not been for the .nquiring entrance Of
Pussy Purr-Mew.
"Oh, here comes that wonderful
cat" he stopped to stroke her.
Usually most difident with stran-
gers, she rubbed purringly against his
hand. ''There must be something good
in him." thought Helen, "to attract
animals"
In dark, foreign way he was unde-
niably handsome. Tall, slender,
faultlessly groomed, he carried him
self with careless assurance.
Laura, still pale, was drawing on her
gloves, tensely anxious to leave at
once. She had hardly glanced at Mar
stem.
Don't you think Laura's looking
| thin?' asked Helen pointedly.
I'm afraid she's working too hard,p
Marstens dark eyes rested upon her.
But she'll never take day off,"
mo, my landlady has an unreason-
able desire to have her board money
every week." her laugh was grating
ly harsh.
"That seems to be failing of most
iandladies," commented Warren un-
consciously.
They were in the hall now, and the
descending elevator hurried their
leave-taking.
Thought you said she wasn't see
ing him." frowned Warren as they re-
turned to the library Looks like he's
hanging around much as ever"
Il think he's asked her to marry
him." hesitated Helen.
Marry him! Why he can't make
enough to buy his cigars. Laura's O
fool in some things, but she'll not
throw herself away on dub that's all
front. I'm glad we gave it to hel
straight that night at Shanley's."
Helen was at the window, staring
down at the corner street light that
blurred an orange haze through Nthe
darkness.
| Knowing his intolerance of any form
of deception, she shrank from telling
him the truth. And yet if she was to
help Laura, if further complications
should arise, he would have to know
Dear" twisting the shade cord
shes SO lonely-she's had such long
discouraging struggle. / can under
stand how she might be persuaded tc
marry, just for companionship, FOL
some one toto hold to!"
"Well he's got about as much sta
bility to hold to-" a contemptuous
snort served for want of an adequate
comparison. Sand she won't get any
body else while he's dangling around
"Oh, it's so hard to tell YOU" com
ing over to low stool by his chair
'Dear, can't you guess? Haven't yor
noticed a change in herr"
"Eh? What're you driving atY
loathing any form of indirectness.
They've been married for fouI
months"
Without looking up, Helen waited
for his caustic, merciless denouncinl
of Lauras reception. For severa
seconds he said nothing at all; ther
he reached for his paper with brief
Bigger fool than thougnt her,"
"That isn't all" unhappily. "The!
are not living together. They haven
except for the first two weeks"
"Only two weeks?" dryly. I'D have
given them couple of months"
ooh, don't dismiss 1t like that. Tall
to me about it--I'm so worried. Yo,
know how fond l am of her-and oh
want to-"
"Well it's a mighty good time fol
you to lie low. She's made bloom
. ing mess of IT, and she'll have to worl
things out for herself. She'll not taxi
y your advice aDyway--they never 90
That spiel we gave her didn't carr!