El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1917-01-22

Fl 5erinE oaesei 't''s apartment art Not
= - that she was overconventional;
she knew that il was done and by nice
women. too. and that no one thought
much about it But Helen had never
done anything OF the kind. she had
never been inside such an apartment,
and when she asked the boy for Mr..
Davis's flat she flushed uncomfortably
and fancied that he smirked behind his
hand.
Helen felt a sudden little wave OF
wrath sweep over her when she thought
OF Laura. Laura was always getting
into trouble. and she. Helen, mad TO take
the consequences and solve the problem
She felt somehow responsible Tor Laura
who was so helpless in managing do
nestle problems. and once this affair
was settled Helen intended TO read
Laura a stern lecture. and then decide
that next time Laura must manage
things for herself
The boy came back at this moment
and said that Mr.. Davis was in. and the
next moment Helen found herself in the
elevator. actually on her way. Her fear
left her as she rang the bell of the
apartment. which was opened TO her i'm
mediately by a Japanese servant
Mr.. Davis2" Helen said. inQuirlnEly
and then sat down IN a tiny reception
card; she hardly thought II necessary
under the circumstances. She had sim
ply told the man TO tell Mr. Davis that
a stranger would like TO see him Laura
in telephoninE had not talked with the
boy; he had simply ascertained whether
he was in, so he was not at all prepared
for Helen's call When he came into
the room Helen rose, and they stood
moment each measuring the other.
Helen saw a nice, frank-faced boy,
well groomed and one who had lived an
apparently clean life His eyes were
good. and his face showed character
but he looked very young, and his
mouth was v eak- Helen felt as though
she could manage the entire affair beau
tifully now that she had seen him. and
she smiled a little as she said,
Mr.. Davis?"
I am Carlyle Davis What can do
for you?" he said. smiling attractively;
won't you sit down."
Helen dropped back into her chair
There was no reason for postpOning
matters.
u came from Mrs. Richards" she said.
simply.
The boy looked amazed. but nothing
more; he did not seem embarrassed at
all.
Il shall have 10 speak plainly" Helen
went on. You see. she has told me
what happened the other day. Oh, don't
misunderstood" she added. quickly as
the boy exclaimed suddenly: she had 10
tell someone; she is in great trouble
But I don't understand" protested
Davis.
We'll. Il seems that the new maid
who happened 10 come in so unfor-
tUnnately has taken "A dislike TO Mrs
Richards, and she Immediately took il
Richards"
ITO Richards Why. that seems in
credible / know 1 was a fool that day.
1 lost my head and all that, but II
wasn't Laura's fault"
do you call her Laura
oh. not ordinarily. only TO myself
Helen could not help smiling. We'll
YOU see, things like that might be mis-
taken just as this unfortunate affair
has been mistaken" she explained. "Of
course. you don't mean anything by il
but if anyone heard you call her Laura
If YOU should make a break sometime
she would be misjudged. don't YOU see2
A woman always has to pay Tor things
like that"
But what has happened. what does
Richards think
He thinks that there must be some
thing between you and Mrs. Richards
He refuses to believe that il was not
il anyway Laura's fault"
But he's got TO believe it, the boy
exclaimed eXcitedly. Why Laura
wouldn't have an affair with anyone.
l know"
Does that mean that YOU have tried
anything of the kind" Helen questioned
dryly.
NO. but 7 know her well. 7 like her:
she isn't like the other women in that
set She really knows things a fell
lew likes to talk about. and I've seen
4 lot of her but I swear that il was
all open and above board. Why, she
might nave been my own sister"
beileNe you. Of course, and Laura
tens me the same thing. But think that
under the circumstances YOU ought to
explain matters TO Mr.. Richards. He
might make things very unpleasant lie
might even sue for a divorce"
You don't think he would do that2
Doesn't he trust his wife? Why, il /
were married to woman like that I
would always believe in her. But I'll
see Richards. OF course. It's the only
decent thing TO do I'll see him and ex-