Omaha daily bee., 1921-07-24
Helen Intrudes Upon the Sordid De.
ceptionx of a Social Dissembler.

oNi ~ SeN N''N
from the sun-baked street
The linen swathed chairs and
oouches. aud the ireshly-watered ger
xniums contributed to the dim cool
ness 81 the marbled corridors.
Approaching the desk, Helen
waited until naughty clerk in a
rongee suit and a vivid blue tie
dcigned to give her his attention.
Who shall say is caliing?" when
she asked for Mrs. Reese.
Mrs. Curtis"
"8-0-4," he spoke into the tele-
phone at his elbow. Mrs Curtis
calling pronouncing it Colts"
Then replacing the receiver, You
can go right up
n the mir,orcd elevator, Helen
saw that her lawn collar, fresh when
she started, va; now rumpled and
w';;cd And Mr;. Reese was always
50 immaculate!
As she left the car and turned
d, WI the carpeted hall, she was pic
tiring Mrs, Reeses suit. It "ould
bc tauftlessly expensive like Mrs.
Reese herself. Conscious OF her
self. Conscious of her willing fresh
ross, she hoped the light would be
DIM.
~ S04 she paused 70 apply ner
powder puff before she knocked.
She had expected a maid to open
the door. As Mrs. Reese was always
so exquisitely groomed, Helen had
taken for granted personal nlaid.
The rather shrll "Come in" was
vaguely disturbing. Surely it wa,
not Mrs. Peosc2
Reluctantly Helen opened the
door, then drew back at the astonish-
ing scene that confronted her.
1t was a tiny, cluttered room
across which stretched two lines OF
drying linen. For bewildered sec
ond Helen stared She was in the
wrong rooml Could that woman
in the faded cotton kimono ironing
on an improvised board be the ex
quisite Mrs. Reese'
MRS. Curtis! she gasped, deep
red flaming her face. II thought |
they announced Mrs. Coit-the
woman who does my hair |
I'm very sorry stammered
Helen, overwhelmed at the awk-
wardness of the situation. Tiff
you're busy. won't stay"
mo, now that you've seen this
much-you may as we'll know the
rest"
"I'm afraid I'm intruding---"
Helen was crimson with embarrass-
ment.
Sweeping off some freshly ironed
clothes. Mrs. Reese motioned her to
the only chair in the congested
room.
"Oh. you're burning your waist"
this exclamation forced from Helen
by the unmistakable odor of
scorching linen.
Snatching the electric iron from
the board made Of bureau drawer
turned upside down, she dropped
on the foot OF the Uttered bed and
gazed de6antly at Helen.
you thought I lived in ease and
luxury. Ny clothes gave that ex-
preston and so did this address
the Astor- Ritz"
Helen was fumbling with clasp
on her glove. She wanted to say
something to relieve this woman's
modification which a reckless brav-
ado failed to cover. But she could
think of nothing that would not
make the situation worse.
you must admit that I've carried
of my-my bluff rather we'll. I've
always dressed the part. haven't l."
Helen nodded. picturing Mrs.
Reese as she had last seen her-in a
Parisian-looking gown of em-
broidered crepe
MY income is exactly thirty-eight
dollars and fifty cents week. |
think I manage rather well, cynically,
"as paw twenty-five a week for
this room. It's cut off from a suite
or il would be much more,
"But you-you get good light up
here" Helen grasped at the only
possible feature to commend.
That's all l do get besides the ad-
dress-the Astor-Ritz. After that's
paid for have the munificent sum
of ten-fifty week for food. clothes .
and everything. l could write a
hook on how to put up a million,
dollar front on thirty-eight week. J
But, how DO you-with all your
wonderful ,elothesa" the situation !
growing less embarrassing as
Helen's feminine interest quickened.
II make everything myself-even
nv hats. I spend hours haunting
the remnant counters. can take a
remnant for few dollars and make a
gown you couldn't buy under two v
hundred" {
"Then why couldn't you do design a
ing" ventured Helen. r
Possibly, | could" studying the S
toe of shabby bedroom slipper. q
But | prefer to be Mrs. Hamilton h
Reese. widow, with independent
means. living at the Astor-Ritz." q
A sharp, imperative knock. Draw c
ing closer her scant kimona, Mrs. d
Reese stood we'll back OF the door ?
as she opened it cautious inch c
The next moment she had taken in t
a florists box tied with purple tape. t
Eagerly unwrapping bunch OF ii
orchids. she handed Helen the card. r
when I'm Mrs. Willard Worth
ington, all this will be over" with :
shuddering glance around the dis
lleveled room.
"Willard Worthington Knicker- !.
booker club" was the impressive !.
address. With an effort Helen {
checked her leaping questions. :.
"It's because ! live here that I '
met him. A designer living in .
cheap fiat would never have been ';
asked to Mrs. Holland Crais's house :
party" i
"Then he doesn't know !
"No, and / never want him to :,
know. 1t isn't as though he were :.