Indiana daily times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1914-1922, 1921-12-19

l1ne dooperS, an average American
family of five, living In suburban
town, on a limited Income, will tell
the readers of the Daily Times how
the many present-day problems OF
the home are solved by working on
the budget that Mrs. Hooper has
evolved and found practical. Follow
them daily in an interesting review
of their home life and learn to meet
the conditions of the high cost Of
living with them.l
MONDAY.
Mrs. Hooper was putting the final
touches to the dinner in the kitchen
when she heard the front door close
with a sharp little bang. She knew it
was Henry returning from the office
and she looked up from the stove a mo-
ment later expecting to see him stand
ing at the door leading into the dining
room with the CHEEKY greeting she al
ways expected from him when he came
back after his long day in the city.
But he did not come in as usual and
she heard him turn at the end of the
hall and go upstairs. Again she waited
for him to appear. Helen was arrang-
ing the table, Roger was fussing about
in the basement and Betty was playing
with her doll in front of the open fire
in the living room.
Run upstairs, Helen, and see if Father
is looking for anything" said Mrs.
Hooper finally AS she put the soup tu-
reen in its place, puzzled at his long
stay in the bedroom which she had
hear him enter
Helen returned in few minutes look
ing a bit frightened and exclaiming to
her mother
Daddy is lying on the bed in the
dark and he says to go with the dinner,
and he will come down after awhile"
us he il?" asked Mrs Hooper, q
sharp note Of anxiety in her tone, as she
rose hastily from her place which she
had taken at the table, expecting Henry
would be right down
He says he isn't" replied Helen hes
itating about sitting down, as she looked
anxiously at her mother, but his voice
sounds queer. He says for you not to
come up until you finish dinner; he
doesn't want any"
There must be something wrong with
him" said Mrs. Hooper, hurriedly. III
run right up and see. Roger, you sit
here In my place and serve the soup to
Helen and Betty and I'll be down by
the time you are finished"
When Mrs. Hooper pushed open the
bedroom door, the room was dark and
oAAV A0HNACN ANA INC tlCtlAAC buALOA anu
switched on the light before Henry had
time to ask her not to do so.
please put out the light, Mary, and
80 down and finish your dinner. III talk
to you after the children go to bed" said
Henry, in a dull tone from the bed
where he lay on his back with his over
coat still on"
Mrs. Hooper snapped off the light as
he had asked her to do. but during the
brief moment that 1t had shone on his
face. she saw that he was drawn and
white, while he seemed to be dazed and
stricken rather than suffering from
physical pain.
What in the world IS the matter
Henry" asked Mrs. Hooper, in an agon-
lied tone, coming over to the bed and
putting her hand on mis- forehead, which
was cold and clammy and not feverish.
as she seemed to have expected. Are
you I'M What do you want me to do
for your"
I'm not Ill, Mary. and Ill be able to
talk to you after dinner" he cOntin-
ued, in the same dull tone. please go
down to the children and don't frlghten
them. Tell them I have a headache,
which is really true"
But l can't leave you, Henry" plead
ed Mrs. Hooper, until know what has
happened. / can see that 1t is some
thing dreadful, but I must know and
you will have to tell me now"
Are you coming down. mother?" came
Helen's voice from the head of the stairs.
please go. Mary" insisted Henry.
mo. I can't, l must know what is
wrong. The children can go on with
their dinner without me-" replied Mrs.
Hooper, her voice beginning to tremble.
Going to the head of the stairs, she
called down to Helen to put the dinner
on the table and that she would be down
as soon as she did a few things for her
father.
When she came back into the room
Henry was sitting up on the side of the
bed and had taken off his overcoat and
when Mrs. Hooper turned the light on
again he made no protest
I'm not sick, Mary" he repeated, "and
I'll get back my nerve in a little while,
bnt keeping up on the train was too much