The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1918-11-10
Can't you notice

DOOR =!
"Phewi Should say could Smells
like a garage"
Sits BY the Window.
Let me sit by the window" she
suggested, when they got on the
train. Maybe | can have it open and
blow some of this out"
Not on day like this. You're not
going to freeze everybody else, lust
/ because you'd no more sense than to
wear a smelt-up dress"
In the warm, close car. the odor was
more noticeable than ever.
Dear, do you suppose it won't be
out? Do you suppose they'll notice it
when I get there?"
Notice it Strong enough to knock
you down! Why the deuce did you
wear it?"
ut was the only thing I had that
was warm enough. And it was so
soiled l just had to clean it,
That's like you. Always having to
make over or clean a gown the last
minute. Other women have the sense
to keep their clothes in order and
don't rush off full of pins and bast
1ngs and reeking with gasoline
In way Warren'S criticism was de-
served, for Helen had been SO busy
this winter that she had neglected
her clothes, and several times had
been forced to hurriedly Elk over" a
dress just before she wore it.
We'll, l can't stand this-makes me
sick. I'm going back in the smoker"
| And Helen was left alone to anguish
over her dress and over how she
would explain it when she got there
When they left the train at Trenton
Warren motioned to one of the hacks
drawn UP By the station.
"Oh. dear, won't we have time 70
walk? ?" pleaded Helen. IF I walk
there without my coat surely some of
this will blow away"
Yes, and you'll get the pneumonia"
Il don't care what I get" recklessly,
"if only I can air this out"
They started off at a brisk pace,
Helen carrying her coat on her arm,
| holding it well out from her so as not
| to obstruct the air.
"Anybody'd think you're crazy
growled Warren, walking without a
coat on night like this"
| But Helen trudged shiverinsly on,
unhappily conscious that her nose and
ears were crimson and that she would
! look most "unbeautiful.''
Say, you'll be sick" exclaimed
Warren at length. touched by her sill
ent endurance. you'd better put the
| coat on. Guess they can stand the
smell if we cam
mo, really I'm not cc1d,'' insisted
Helen with chattering teeth, land we
! will soon be there now"
Here we are" as he threw open an
| iron gate. Shaded lamps CLEANED
cheerfully from the windows, but
Helen's heart sank as they went up
the walk The Mer>vins were such
| formal people.
But almost as they entered, Mrs.
! Merwin, who was usually so staidly
self-contained, burst into nervous,
hurried apologies.
Isn't it dreadful? It's all through
the house! But we have a new mail
and Lust can't make her keep the
kitchen door closed"
Helen could have shrieked with fov
az ftdawned on her that Mrs. Merwin
was anologizing for the odor Of cook
ing. which she now realized was un-
mistakably strong. Mrs. Merwin went
on to explain that their old girl had
left yesterday.
You know it always happens that
way" she lanented, land we just had
to put up with this one this evening. |
I'm sure I don't know what kind OF /
dinner We'll have-she won't let me
go near the kitchen"
Helen could hardly restrain hys- |
terical laugh of relief and later when |
her eyes met Warren's, he grinne1 |
understandingly
In the dining room the odor Of cook |
ing was stronger than ever and when |
they sat down to the table Mrs. Mer-
win renewed her apologies.
IF you'll excuse me-" getting up |
again, "I'n burn some incense. Per-
hans that will help"
But after dinner when they went |
back into the sitting room, Mr.. Mer- |
win who was on the couch Inv Helen |
begon shifting the air susDiciously.
Molly don't you notice another |
smell in here? It's gas. isn't it? Do !
you suppose that girls left the stove |
turned on"
mo, the gas is all off, and I don't |
notice it out there It's just in here"
There was a general shifting now |
AS Warren saw Helen's growing ner-
vousness and deepening color he tried |
to change the subject.
Then Merwin got out some cigars.
Here, Curtis, smoke up. Perhaps |
these two for fives' are strong enough |
to kill the smells around here"
But Mrs. Merwin was Of a persist /
ent nature and she kept on shifting, |
determined to locate the odor
At last Helen exclaimed with ner-
vous laugh:
do you suppose il could be this
dress? II just came from the clean
ers. You know sometimes they do |
send them home smalling dreadful.
Mrs. Merwin came over and shifted |
at the dress, then sank in her chair |
with an air OF relief.
ssyoc r o11oc that's R,1f Is