The Washington herald., 1920-02-13
Helene's S Married Life
Alice Hears the News
BY May Christie
Copyright 1890. Mcclure Syndicate,

1 ran lightly after Mary Higgins.
and together we assembled the stair
case In the wake Of Mr.. Anstruther.
Arrived at his wifes room. he tapped
upon the door. (
There was no answer,
He turned the handle. all to no avail.
The door was locked!
Shes asleep" he said, turning me-
chanically towards me. and ignoring
Mary Higgins.
The latter Uttered unpleasantly.
"oh. but You must wake her up and
tell her OF the burglary! Dear Mr..
Anstruther Alice would never forgive
you u she missed all the fun and ex-
citement! Who knows-'Ehere she
uttered aeain--"who knows but the
burglar himself may be hiding In that
room?"
Alice,s husband ignored the spinster's
idiocy. He turned and .strode into his
own room. and we could hear him try
the coVmu nicating door which led
into the apartment of his wife.
1t. too. was locked!
He came out again into the passage.
He looked intensely worried.
u can't make Alice hear! Helene,
you tnlnk snes tll?'
why. no. you silly man! She's
probably asleep" Inwardly I thought
rothing OF ihe sort But I wanted to
allay his fears. raped smartly on
the door. Alice. where art thou?'"
l chanted, with gaiety / was far
from feeling.
Still no answer.
oh. something must have happened
70 her! Poor Mr.. Anstruther's genial
race went white. He put an Immense
shoulder up against the frame-work
OF the door. ami prepared to heave II
howl"
BY sheer physical force I dragged
him back. We had surely had enough
scenes tonight. without a further one.
Don't be absurd" My voice was
sharp. IN soon wake her" I stoop-
ed down to the keyhole, and cried:
Alice! For the love of Mike, open
this door-or your big. foolish husband
says he'll smash it down.
In the silence that followed this de-
cisive plea. there was a faint. snortins
sound. as though fair Alice were but
newly waking from sound slumbers.
"ls-it that you. Helene?"
Footsteps crossed the floor, the door
was opened, and there in the aperture
stood Alice. fully dressed!
Her husband-blank amazement on
his face--feli back a step or two. He
took in every detail Of his wife's elab-
crate toilette.
"Eut-Alice-you went to bed two
hours ago. Why"
His wife surveyed him calmly.
And so I did,"
But - but - these clothes. You
haven't been to bed at aIlr'
Alice maintained her look OF COM
plete tranquility.
what on earth's the matter with
you all? Why the intense melodrama?
Let me allay your fears by telling you
that for the last two hours I've been
asleep-yes-actually without un-
dressing-lying on top of the counter
pane, en- grande tenue! l was so beast
ly tired"
Miss Mary Higgins-that first class
Observation-Disclosures her way into
the room. The door was wide open.
SO that we could see the whole of
Alice's apartment.
But the bed has never been lain
on calculated little Higgins, with
an air of innocent surprise that mark
ed genuine spite toward Alice. She
pointed to the immaculate counter
pane, and the smooth. undisturbed
pillows. which bore no impress OF a
human head. Maybe dear Mrs. An
struther has been sleeping on the
floor
II looks could kill. Alice would most
certainly have slain the little spin
ster.
But, swallowing down her anger.
she turned abruptly to her husband
What on earth's the matter? Why
have you all come here?"
1t seemed to me there was a world
Of worry and anxiety in his eyes as he
made answer:
There's been an attempted
burglary in the house. Some one
tried to rob the safe in the library.
Helene happened to come down for
book. saw the light through the
open door of the library. gave the
alarm and was nearly throttled by
an unknown person in the dark