The Washington herald., 1917-06-25

The soap dish was there. but its
perforated tray held only q yellow
ish smudge where the soap had
lain In the washstand drawer was
a box Of matches. a flattened cold
cream tube, a rusty safety pin
but not evena silver of soap.
Grumblingly Warren washed In
clear water, Looking like an un-
derwear ad in his sleeveless, knee
length Hnion suit, he flung himself
on the creaking bed.
Hard as bricks-and says in the
middler' was his grumpy verdict.
. With the aid of her side comb
Helen plated her hair. Her cor
set cover and silk pettlcoat serv-
ing as q nightgown and she was
ready for bed.
IT'S too hot for anything but
the shetland this don't look
overclean, anyway" throwing back
the grayish blanket. 'Oh, dear"
as she got in. ''it does sag, doesn't
IF they'll only, let up on that
racket" growled Warren, for the
hilarity from below came up with
disturbing distinctness.
Every now and then rose the purr
OF a departing motor. but the volume
of gayety seemed undiminished.
Then a lull in the music, and from
the next room-the beds against the
same wall-came Carries voice,
Let me sleep on the outside-it's
stifiing back here. Oh, what a mar
row bed-we can hardly turn! or
course, they had to have the best
room-leave that to Helen"
why. she had nothing to do with
it." refuted Lawrence.
But you noticed she didn't insist
on our taking It. She always"
The rest was lost in a burst OF ap-
plause from below. Then.
She was furious when Warren paid
for those drinks. Did you notice the
way she watched the check-she al
ways does. He's the soul OF gsner-
osity-but she can't bear for him TO
pay for anything"
Helen's face scorched against the
pillow. Was Warren awake7 Had
he heard? There was no betraying
change in his even breathing.
Now you let him pay for these
rooms. too" Carrie was queruloueIy
insistent. ITS our car-Heaven knows
what it'll cost US. They're getting of
light A pause, then, 'Is there any
drinking water up here7 That lemon
ade was too sweet-Tm thirstier than
ever. Where's the bell?"
"oh, they wouldn't have bells here.
II you must have some" with a note
OF weary patience, I'll have to %
down"
slip on your duster. It's on that
chair by the washstand"
A moment later the opening and
closing of the door, and Lawrence's
step down the hall.
Through Helen's boiling indIgnatIon
there was throb OF sympathy for
her brother-in-law's long-suffering pa
tence. Only assertive women like
carrie received such attentions from
their husbands. Had she asked War
ren to get up and go downstairs. he
would have roared an explosive re-
fusaI
Lawrence's returning step and the
tresh!ng sound of clinking ice.
You didn't bring a glass?'' COM
planned Carrie. mo, don't pour i,
IN thatAthat's a toothbrush glass!
III drink out of the pitcher"
Another silence, then,
Don't put it there-set II out the
window. Is that up as high as it'll
go! Wait, before you get in, see what
tlme It is. After twelve! Well, 1 won't
sleep wink in this stuffy room. But
thats Helen all through-she always
manages to get the best Of everythinR.
Ihat trip to 'Glenville was the same
way. She"
Ihe cranking of a motor under the
WINDOW drowned the rest. when II
snorted on Carrie was discussing the
possible cost of repairing their car.
with the lump swelling IN her throat
Helen rehearsed every incident of the
GlenVille trip, now almost a month
ago. What had she said or done that
carrie could have criticised? Her an
tagonlsm for her sister-in-law famed
to consuming hatred.
A sudden deafening report! With a
sudden cry and ''movie-posture'' vi
sions of a smoking revolver and a
hteiess victim, Helen clutched at. War
ren's bare arm. =
tire" .
"oh-oh, you've been awake?" for
his cautious undertone held no hint
OF drowsiness. You haven't been
asleep at all?"
NOT yet"
Then yoI HEARD?"
Heard what?,
What Carrie said!"
Wen, what IL 1 did," with low
toned belligerency. "What'd she say?''
on nothing. Of course" with as
much sarcasm as a whisper could con-
Yey. Anything your sister says is
quite all rightr - :.
We'll you've panned her a darn
sight worse many a time. Won't do
you any harm to get line on how
other people size you up" his vehe-
mence raising his voice. About that
eheck-she's dead right You always
look as black as thunder when it's
my turn to cough. You think you get
away with it-but Carries got your
number. .. :
tcopydght. lsH.)