The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1919-02-06

| The messenger boy handed Helen the
letter and pointed with a grimy fin
ger to the line where she was going
| to sign for it.
Wonderingly she tore open the let
tiers. There were only a few lines
hurriedly penciled.
"Will you come to the hotel?
would not ask you-but l am in great
trouble. l know no one else to turn
20. Something happened last night
that makes everything impossible.
They have asked for our rooms-or
I can't write about it! Won't you
come now-as soon as you get this?
am almost desperate! You will meet
no one-am all alone
Helen read the note again and again
her tremulous fingers twisting and
untwisting the envelope. What should
she do? She shrunk from the thought
of going yet, how could she ignore
this appeal
Then, ashamed of her hesitancy, she
dressed quickly for the street and in
half an hour she was at the Hotel
Asdorf
Did she imagine it, or did the clerk
look at her oddly when she asked him
to announce her to Mrs. Merwin? She
felt his glance follow her as she cross
ed the lobby to the elevator.
"Oh, I'm so glad you came-l was
afraid you, you wouldn't as Helen
sat down on the edge of the bed.
Why you're feverish.' Helen had
drawn off her gloves and was pushing
back the tangled hair. And it's so
warm and close in here-don't you
want me to open a window"
Helen lowered one from the top
A- Ia
came back to the bed. Mrs. Merwin
draw from under the pillow crum-
pied letter.
Read that quiveringly. They
sent it up this morning.
It was typewriter and signed by the
manager of the hotel.
"My Dear Madam: After the dis
turbance caused by your husband last
night in his intoxicated condition we
have no choice but to ask for your
rooms The enclosed bill for for S26S
must be settled, and the rooms va
Gated by Monday.
1--WE have for you personally the
greatest sympathy, and regret that
this Is necessary. You will understand,
however, that we must protect the
reputation of our house and insure our
guests against a repetition Of such an
noyance. I beg to remain, very truly
yours, u. l. Reynolds.
Manager"
But why did he write to your fall
tered Helen. Surely Mr.. Merwin was
the one
ooh. they know he hasn't been sober
for a week. He could hardly stagger
out of here this morning. And he has
not the money. He can't pay the bill!
oh, I know he can't.
Helen. at a loss TO know what to
say. kept chatting the hand that chung
to hers. What kind of a scene had Mr..
Merwin madeo 1t had been serious
enough. added TO their unpaid bill to
cause the manager to write this note.
ooh, the shame of 1.-THE disgrace
of it," sobbed Mrs Merwin. ITO be
asked to leave a hotel. l shall never
want to see anyone again.
Helen started up to answer a knock
at the door. It was the chambermaid
wanting TO know If she could do the
rooms" now .'No-no-not yet. Mrs.
Merwin is not we'll. She will call you
when she wants you
That's the tihr time she's been here
this morning" moaned Mrs. Merwin.
She's anxious to get into see what
I'm doing Oh. they all know 1t. The
bell boys. the maids, they all know we
have been asked to leave.
Mono I'm sure they don't. The
manager would never let the help
know such things
But even as she said it, Helen
thought of how oddly the clerk had
looked at her when she asked for Mrs.
Merwin.
"Monday-they've given us till Mon
10 10 la v
-four days. What If Frank cant
raise the money? What will we do
then? What will
She started and clutched Helen's
hand as the phone rang.
'Say, I'm sicl&-that ] cant speak to
anyone" she entreated, as Helen rose
to answer II.
Hello, - Yes Mrs Merwin
is i'll and cannot he disturbed this
morning. . Who? oh. just
moment!
Its Mr. Merwin' whispered Helen.
her hand on the received. .'Ie says he
must speak to you
NO, no l don't want 20 speak to
him-not after last night" excitedly.
ct think you'd better come" and
Helen heIed her ont of bed. bat even at
the hone Mrs Aferwin still chung to
her. holding her so close that she could
not help but hear distinctly the mans
voice at the other end OF the wire