The Washington herald., 1920-03-10
Helene S Manned Life
Copyright 1880. Mcclure syndica
XL.-Who Is Amy?

A sense OF guilt crept over me
when Travis Lloyd inquired about
his flowers.
.'oh yes-thanks a thousand times
IL did receive them" said, quick
ly, nervously. Thsv're upstairs.
expect they are In water by this
TINA. 1t seemed a shame to wear
them. Besides. flowers fade so
quickly on une!'
.fN won't make the obvious an
swer," he replied. smiling again.
And, anyway, I don't think IL fits!
For-uniess I'm nightly mistaken
-you don't trifie with the hearts OF
men."
This was q poser. certainly! But
anything to divert his mind from
the use to which those flowers had
recently been put!
'T hope I'm not . firt." Ny voice
held q provocative note, i knew.
Though they do say that the most
charming women are coquettes by
aaturer'
mot q true woman. such As you.
NissHelepe," rejoined my compan-
ion, with ridiculous earnestness.
This comment proved to me he had
no sense OF humor.
A man bores me. too, who cant
at certain times be fippant. The
lack OF proportion in Travis Lloyd's
makeup was rather disappointing.
A little silence fell between us.
II was at this crucial moment that
yim's mother came into the room.
The men stood up.
''Oh, I didn't know you were all
at dinner" She hushed-and the
npsh on her sweet. middlSs>eed face
was vastly becoming. II just came
Down to thank Miss Helene"
For what?" said Alice brightly.
For the lovely fiowers-the vio-
lets and carnations-Jim is just rev.
cling In their beauty"
II was my turn to flush. And in
deed was oddly disconnected. For
at my elbow sat Travis Lloyd, the
giyer of the flowers that I'd passed
on to jim,
Mrs. st. Aubyns retired, and Alice
hung . nischievous glance In my
direction. Her scrutiny, too, was
cast on Travis Lloyd. And then she
blundered to my rescue, making
matters all the worse!
Dear Helene Is so interested in
our charming visitor" she cooed, in
tones SO low that no one but myself
and Travis Lloyd could hear her.
she didn't wish to part with your
exquisite bouquet, but 1 persuaded
her that the invalid's need was
greater than her own! And, Mr..
Ll-yd, you must admit that Helene
requires no beautifying!"
could willingly have slapped
Alice for her nonsense!
Miss Helene Is at perfect liberty
to do As she pleases with my gifts"
rejoined my dinner partner in tones
or injured dignity. He applied him
self to the consumption of his oys-
ters-a dish that one can't eat en-
tirely gracefully! And so the dig
mined effect was lost.
As for me, decided not to worry
] hadn't asked Mr.. Lloyd to send
me flowers. And after all, they'd
cheered Jim up. That was all that
really mattered, to my mind
-Shall we play bridge?' languidly
incurred our hostess, after the in
termfnable meal was ended She
avoided her husbands eye, mean
while.
Travis Lloyd and I said nothing.
He was waiting for my cue. ] knew.
But the other couple eagerly as
sented, 50. that Alice's husband
eould not possibly protest.
You must excuse me-" he said
don't care for cards"
Nor do T." I added quickly, anx-
lous TO escape.
Hereto my chagrin-Travis
Lloyd cut in.
Miss Helene. if. you don't play.
neither shall l."
You must positively make a
fourth, my dear-and don't let's ar
cue over It! Come onr'
We adjourned to the wide hall
where . great log FIRE burned. In a
cosy corner. the bridge table was
vet forth. and the players began
heir game. ] could see by AIice's
irritated countenance. however, that
there would be no money stakes
hat night! Over her husbands head
ine made q little face at me.
Il shall hear about this in the
morning, remarked to Travis
Lloyd.
He actually smiled. His compla-
sency seemed quite restored.
TITS an i'll wind that blows no
,ne any good" He touched my arm
This gives us an opportunity to
secone better acquainted. doesn't
t?'
1t did. indeed. But / wasn't crazy
or that opportunity. Mr.. Travis
Lloyd was too intent on making
itrides along the road of love.
He led me to the far end OF the
hsll, found q wide divan, and we
sat down.
II hope that you'll stay in this
part OF the country for some con-
siderahle time, Miss Helene" he be-
ran.
'I've promised to help Alice nurse
he invalid" rejoined. This infor-
nation might prove a cold douche
% his ardor.
But IL didn't. He rubbed his
iands deiightedly.
'oh, that's splendid. SO unselfish
u you. And-his recovery is bound
20 be rather slow, / take it!'
" frowned. thought this remark
Vas tust a trife Gallons