Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-06-26
Epening Story
TO BE CALLED FOR.
BY SYLVIA TURNER
copyright 1917. by the Mcclure News.
paper Syndicate.)

Berenice had given Hal the watch at
Christmas time. Ever since their mar
riage, two years ago. they had both re-
ligiously observed all anniversaries and
special holidays. AS Berenice said, this
was done not only in loving remem-
brance Of each other. but it was such
fun proving how perfectly their tastes
ran together For Halls birthday she
had given him a silk umbrella with a
heavy monogramed silver handle. For
her birthday Hal had given her
beautiful deskset of red morocco and
silver, heavily monogramed. They both
had mania for initials and mono
grams. 1t seemed to Bernice as though
she were tangibly tying the knot be-
tween them every time she entwined
their initials in embroidery.
She had had special photograph
taken for the back of the hunting case.
AS she sat for it she had tried to i'm
agine Halls face before her and hers
smiling at him. The result was all she
had hoped for. Hal said it was the
dearest, sweetest picture Of her he had
ever seen.
And there isn't another one like it
in existence" she said. Il made the man
destroy the plate so that you would
have the only one
The watch had kept perfect time and
in the spring Hal mentioned one night
at dinner that he had left it at the
jewelers. to be regulated, until called
for.
Then he went away on a two weeks
trip up the state. establishing new
agencies. Berenice promised him to get
the watch before his return. The night
before he came home she gave the little
apartment a final survey, arranging
everything Just as he liked to see it.
The train arrived little past s the
next morning and she was going down
to meet him. Everything seemed to be
exactly right. when all at once she re-
membered the watch. He would think
that she had forgotten his little request
and 1t meant SO much to him, she
knew. He had even said just before he
left that he would miss kissing the lit
tie picture in the watch good night
while he was away from her, he loved
it so.
1t had been left at little jewelry
store around the corner. She had often
seen a curious-looking little old gentle
man in skull cap seated before rack
repairing watches.
He examined the slip she handed
him, carefully.
THAT was Mr.. Demorest's watch,
yes?" he asked. pleasantly. us he
away?'
He's coming hom in the morning"
she answered with just a little touch
of brides dignity. that still chung to her
even after two years of married life.
He said that the watch was left to be
called for am Mrs. Demorest. think
1t is the second one on that line"
mo, no. have Mr.. Demorest's in the
drawer He drew out tray from
drawer filled with envelopes containing
jewelry, and bent over them carefully.
All" he said. Here we have it. "Mr.
Demorest. To be called for" She
glanced at it as he drew it from the
case. The familiar monogram was on
the case, and she hurried home with
It,
of the envelope, and handled it tender
ly, sitting in Halls own big morris chair
beside his desk that had been so hor-
ribly lonely without him. Half uncon-
sciously she pressed the spring and
opened the back case. In utter horror
and surprise she stared at the face that
looked back at her-not her own, but
the face Of a strange girl. oven in that
first moment of dull agony she realized
out from under her thumb nail easily.
and on the back she saw written in q
firm, mociish hand, For dearest, from
Estelle."
1t was after 4 IN the morning before
she got any sheep. II 1t could only have
been some natural tragedy, she told
herself over and over. walking the floor.
If there could have been an accident
and Hal could have left her widow
with all her illusions and love for him
It was not only the discovery
Of another woman in his life. but that
he should have been SO calloused, SO
hardened as to put the creatures pic
ture where hers had been in that watch
that was her gift to him.
Ono Impulse followed another. She
longed to go away to leave him without
a scene. or any chance for him to try
and explain with the usual tricky lit
tie falsehoods men thought up to cover
such a situation. She had not been
ing. She knew what was expected Of
bride in such an emergency.
She had intended meeting Hal at the
station the following morning. but she
changed her mind After looking for
her in vain, Hal took q taxi uptown
without even waiting to telephone her.
and burst into the apartment just as
Berenice hurried away from the front
window, where she had been watching
for him surreptitiously.
Why. darling" he exclaimed. drop
pins his suit cases. ARE you ill?"
Don't come near me. Don't dare
touch me" Her voice sounded little
faint and hollow. and one hand pressed
her throat SIZE looked adorable in her
pale pink negligee. Even her pallor was
an enhancement. Hal thought as he
looked at her eagerly.
"Bsrenice!" he cried. What do YOU
mean? What has happened since rye
been gomez"
She answered graphically.
ITO be left until called for Oh, You
brute" The tears forced themselves be-
tween her lashes She pointed to the
watch on the desk. Would You mind
my picture. since YOU have
hers in there now"
Hal regarded her in utter hewilder-
ment.
Hers" he repeated. who do you
mean"'
"Estelle.- She hurled the name at
him expecting him to wilt but instead
his expression changed TO one OF solicit
tude
Hadn't you better lie down, dear?
don't think you're quite we'll"
Il won't lie down" she retorted in
crossing to the desk. You
needn't think. Hal Demorest, that just
because I've loved you I'm going to