The Washington herald., 1917-08-27

test. she swent into the dismantled
room. In a moment her keen survey
had grasped the situation. With
white-gloved disdain she took up the
can of Sure Death" The flaming
red label. with ma agnifed insect ly-
ing on its back. was proof unmistak-
able.
80 THAT'S the trouble? Well, this
comes from your old wooden beds.
wouldn't have one in my house.
They're not sanitary
They used to have nothing else!"
defended Helen, in scarlet mortifica-
ton. Surely there's some way"
There's no way" with maddening
superiority Helen, you're perfectly
hipped on antiques. 1 hope this will
be a lesson-that you'll at least have
your beds modern. Now you're going
to get rid of this?"
1T haven't the slightest intention OF
getting rid Of it," goaded to defiance.
"You don't mean that you'll keep
this bed after"
Carrie, you have brass beds be-
cause you prefer them-and l have
wooden ones for the same reason.
Now shall we drop the subject?"
"Oh, OF course, IL you're going to
fly up about it," with a shrug. But
I certainly feel sorry for Warren, II
he has to put up with that sort Of
thing-just because Of your craze for
antiques"
Helen, afraid to trust herself to an
swer this, bit her lips. She could
have screamed with rage at the way
Carrie was holding aloof her white
skirts-as though fearing contamina-
tion should they touch anything in
the room.
well, the cars waiting" with a
movement of departure. II thought
you might like to go for drive-but
1 suppose you can't?'
mo, thank you," frigidly. But
don't let me keep you"
"Yes, I'll have to run along-I've
got to do some shopping"
At the door she paused for a part
ing shot
"Of course, Helen, you can do as
you please-but you'd better take my
advice and get rid of that bed. Ger
tainIy none of the family will want to
stay over night until you do!'
Then that will be an inducement
for keeping the bed" Helen flung
back. as Carrie stepped into the ele-
vator.
But in spite of the triumph OF her
last remark. Helen's mortifcation was
corrosive. II ii had been anyone but
Carrie! She would tell the whole
family. How she would gloat over
the storyi And how it would grow
with each repetition-for Carrie al
ways exaggerated.
Helen had always We'd with her sis
ter-in-law for the reputation of being
the best housekeeper in the family. But
this would forever end her prestige
She felt irretrievably disgraced.
With grim determination she spent
the rest of the afternoon giving the
whole room a thorough but needless
cleaning. Even the closet shelves
were was ed off with ammonia water
and literally sprayed. 1t was as
though she were trying to drown her
humiliation in Jealous. relentless
work.
When Nora had to stop to get din
ner, she worked on alone-until just
barely time to bathe and dress before
Warren came.
1t was not quite six when he brisked
in.
why, dear, you're early" as she
greeted him.
"Yes, Carrie brought me op in her
car"
Carrie, She went down to your Of
fee after she left here?"
whats the trouble?' he strode
into their room. BED inhabited?"
so she had to tell you?" the angry
color flooded Helen's face.
"Oh, she's got it in for wooden beds.
Says they're not sanitary and
"You needn't repeat it-she told me
all that And what did you say?'
Huh, cut her off pretty short. Car
rie means all right but she's too
! bossy. 1 said we furnished our apart
ment to su ourselves and not the
| family-and that wasn't afraid of
anything unsanitary with you on the
job"
"oh, you did say that?" eagerly.
Dear, you do think I'm a good
housekeeper-in spite of this? It'll
never happen again! Hereafter, at
least once a month. I'm going to"
For heavens sake don't add any
new stunts. You're eternally scrub
bing and clearing out as it Is. It'd
| be a darn sight more comfortable
around here II there was little more
dirt and less housecleaning." Then
noticing her dropping weariness,
| CneeT ups hlIleIl! I1O" dDOul d
show tonight?"
"Oh, no, I'm too tired" Then
broodingly, 'Tf 1t had been anyone
but Carrie! Oh, was never so NOR
tilted. in my lifev'
Don't let that worry you-Carrie's
had troubles of her own"
"What?" excitedly. Warren, you
don't mean she ever had"
'Sure ! do" with cheerful indif-
ference. Last summer I was going
to the station with Lawrence-he
stopped at drug store and loaded
up with stun. Said something about
it being the maids bed"
"Ohw
The weight of humiliation lifted
from Helen like rising cloud. Dis
grace shared Is disgrace diminished.
But how could she let Carrie know
that she knew? Her mind leaped to
revengeful comments. She would ask
casually-so very casually, Carrie.
what did you use last summer" In
her intensity she half voiced the
words.
"Eh, what's that?" demanded War
rem, as he ripped off his wilted col
lar.
"Oh, nothing, I was just thinking"
Then with sudden enthusiasm, Dear.
l don't feel so tired after all-Td love
to go to the theater!"
Copyright, 1917