Middletown transcript., 1917-09-15
HELENS PERSISTENT AND NEEDLESS WORRYING
CLOUDS HER Enjoyment OF THEIR TRIP

Copyright the Mcclure Newspaper Syndicate3

Helen decided that the prices were
not so high as she had expected.
Ordered yet?" Warren came In
with brisk alertness and an armful of
morning papers. "Well, let's get
things started here" as he picked
up the breakfast cards. Strawberries
or grapefruit"
Il don't believe I care for fruit
economically.
"Two orders of strawberries" ignor-
ing her protest, lone tomato omelet
one broiled blue fish, toasted mullins
and coffee. And push it along, will
your" to the solicitous waiter.
Dear, it's a quarter to nine. Why
don't you telephone now while we're
waiting? You said he got there before
nine and sometimes stayed only long
enough to open his mail. Oh, it would
be dreadful to come all the way here
and then miss him!'
Glancing at his watch, Warren
pushed back his chair with an irrita-
able:
ooh, all right, if it'll stop your
stewing. But next time I'll keep my
business arrangements to myself"
The waiter was just serving the
Strawberries when Warren strobe back
and flung himself into his chair with a
struggling, careless:
'Clawson won't be at the Office to-
day. He's out of town or going away
this morning-couldn't quite make out
which,"
"Oh-oh," in despairing dismay, her
premonitions realized, 'then you've
had your trip all for nothing?"
Looks that way" covering his
strawberries with the rich yellow
cream. Got to take some chances.
Mighty fine berries-best we've had
this year. They've got the real fla
vor."
Undisturbed by his disappointment,
Warren dispatched his breakfast with
hearty enjoyment, but Helen ate al
most nothing. Her worried anxiety
over the expenses of this profitless
trip had taken her appetite.
IF we hustle, we can make that ten
o'clock train," announced Warren as
they left the dining room. 'You go
on up and pack while settle the bill" i"
At ten minutes Of ten they were in
q taxi, covering the few blocks to the
Broad street station.
"How much was the room?" asked
Helen apprehensively.
give plunks-no extras. There's
one of your worries that missed fire.
We want to remember that number
303, wasn't it? That's a star room
for five dollars"
Though Warren had the tickets,
there was slight delay in getting par
lor-car seats. They made the train
just as the gates were closing.
"Twelve and fourteen? Yes, sab.
second car ahead" the porter led the
way with their suitcase.
AS they passed through, Warren was
stopped by distinguished gray-haired
man, who rose and greeted him cor
daily.
'Mr. Clawson, 1 want you to meet
Mrs. Curtis"
''This is quite surprise, Mrs. Cur
tis," with a hearty hand grip. 81 was
going to New York just to see your
husband"
In fluttering elation Helen settled
herself with papers and magazines,
while Warren and Mr.. Clawson sought
the smoker.
Her first sensation was one of
thrilled relief at this fortunate and
unexpected turn, for in the long two
hours to New York they would have
a much better chance Of comforting
than at Mr.. Clawson's Office.
The magazines lay unopened in her
lap as she gazed out at the flying fields
touched by the sunlight, now strug-
Cling through the leaden clouds.
Her exhilarated relief was waning
into the realization of how much she
had missed. Their trip was over. She
might have enjoyed every moment, for
she loved these unexpected outings
and a night at a big hotel. But she
had spent the time in worrying-in fu
tile, unavailing worry.
Would she never learn to put things
aside? Must she worry over all the
trivial details Of the home-and War
ren's business, too?
81 want some papers out of here !!
Got the key?" Warren, his hat tilted
back and a cigar in his mouth, was
dragging out the suitcase.
"Oh, dear, is it going to be all right?"
fumbling for the key.
"We're down to brass tacks al
ready" with a grin. "Got him just
where I want him." Then as he found
the papers and started back to the
smoker you'll have to dig up some
thing else to stew over-this Is going
to be q cinch!"