Capital journal. (Salem, Or.) 1919-1980, 1921-12-14
Ze ZzIZ72fN0 aH1 DT0Wa1Ic &for
The Morning After


\ Haven't you been able to. find
Herb, Ria?" called the next
morning as I heard her again at
the TELEPHONE
'No. / called every place pos
sible last night I did not stop
I until after one o'clock I am now
/. calling the stub again. They told
me at his home that he might
be there. He had not been at
home all night. Where do you
suppose he is, Virgie? I must
! find hint"
Then the phone rang again
and l heard her say in relieved
tone: rs that you, Herbert ?
/ This is Ria. / have been trying.
! steadily for twenty-four hours to
get you. Oh, do come over here
/ Immediately ! must see you"
She stopped moment evidently
listening to something he was
saying.
Never mind about saying nice
things to ne How soon can yvu
be over?"
/ Evidently he was coming at
once, for Ria answered "All right
virgie and I will be up and
ready to see you.'
The receiver went back an the
hook with a bang and heard
hurried preparations for dressing
as Ria called to me from her
room: s'TIerb will be here in a half
hour and you must be ready for
him"
"All right. I am almost dress
ed now. 7 already have the cof-
fee on / am quite sure that
cup Of good coffee will be good for
him He probably has not slept
any more than you have. y
Blythe time Herbert came we
were ready and | had set the ta-
BILE for three. There was a fra
grant aroma from the caffee and
I had pnt'a glass of orange Juice
at each place ET
rather smiled at myself as I
! thoueht that all this prenara-
tion came from Aunt Virginia's s
i teaching When any one was in
trouble, cross or sick, herr first
thought was that they should
have some kind Of food delicately
served For a very spiritual Wo-
man, Aunt Virginia had some
most materialistic theories, and
they usually worked out we'll.
Ria heard Herb coming and
opened the door before he had
time to knock. ~
/ I heard the tones of low voices
tones in which both tragedy
and carress blended-and then
Ria dragged him in to me,
| l was shocked at the sight of
Herbert Richardson's face His
skin seemed drawn parchment
), like over his face, which was the
, color of ivory His lips we're dry
and pale and he frequently moist
ened them Hos hands trembled
as took them in mine.
"Sit down and have some hot
coffee, dear. When did you eat
last?"
II don't know" he answered
duly.
Ria poured his coffee, and al
though he protested he could not
eat, he did taste the hot, crisp,
buttered toast l put upon his plate
'ITasting, he found he was hungry
and apparently without thought
of what he was doing he ate two
pieces as he drank his coffee and
explaining the situation to us.
| Aunt Virginia was right. How
ever much one sorrows, however
much one fears, a sense of physi.
cal well-being alleviates matters
greatly.
/ What is this we hear about
Kitty Dalton?" asked Ria tremu-
lously.
"Have you heard about her
from any one else?" demanded
Herb quickly.
Eyes. There was policeman
here last night threatening to ar
rest u.s."
What"
ooh. don't worry about that. We
did not say anything and the
man went away after telling us to
be available when wanted. He told
us, though, that it looked as
though poor Kitty was going
blind"
"Isn't that horrible? I haven't
the slightest idea where Kitty
got that bad liquor. You know,
Eia that my cellar is full of
straight stuff"
eyes, know it only too well, :"
replied Gloria in a voice which
| rahuI<ad Herh mora than harsh