Omaha daily bee., 1922-05-07
: By Mabel Herbert Uruer :

Selhsh!' explosively. How
about you? You're so crazy to hear
a bunch OF near celebrities spout
about themselves-that you don't
care a hang how bum I feel!'
But, Warreu, If you've only
headache-I've often gone out with
you when I've felt wretched."
"Well, I'm not going to that din
ner. Lot of sickness around. Feel
rotten and III not take any chances
-been feverish all day.
"Feverish" anxiously feeling his
forehead.
"Stop paving me-" elbowing her
away. "I've got an inward fever
Now, cut the whining and let me
alone"
Through scorching tears, Helen
made her way back to her own room.
He was not feverish. From the first,
he had not wanted to 60 to this din
ner, and now he was deliberately TAX
ing advantage of headache to stay
at home.
Twelve dollars thrown awayl That
would have bought new linoleum for
the pantry-or dozen new company
napkins that they really needed.
A hot tear splotched the chameleon
taffeta, as she took it off
Too heartsick to dress again, she
threw on kimona and went out to
the dark, deserted kitchen It was a
pitiful let-down from her glowing ex-
pectancy Of the brilliant dinner at
the Astor-Ritz.
The icebox was forlornly empty;
only the remnants Of yesterdays
roast beef-mostly fat, and some
cold Brussels sprouts. II
She cut up a tomato and some
olives for Spanish amelet, toasted
some stale bread, warmed the Bdus-
sels sprouts, opened a can of peaches
and set the table. z
Too woe-begone to eat herself, she
served Warren ia aloof silence.
"No soup7" scowlingly he surveyed
the meager fare.
mo, there wasn't any stock. And
we never keep canned soup-you say
you don't like it."
"Well, you might have few cans
on hand for an emergency"
"You said you didn't want much
dinner-and you oughtn't to eat if
you've headache"
Unable to swallow past the lump
in her throat, Helen did not touch
the bit of omelet on her plate.
"Sulking? Too stubborn to eat.
eh?"
She did not answer. Just then she
almost hated him.
Always irritable when he had the
slightest headache, Warren was now
in one of his irascible moods. Yet he
ate almost all Of the four-egg amelet
and some lean beef that Helen man
aged to slice from the fat end of the
cold roast
"Now don't fuss with these dishes.
Leave 'em for her in the morning"
IT'D rather do them" Helen was
already clearing the table.
Was his suggestion that she leave
the dishes solicitude for her or mere
ly desire to have her with him in
the library as an outlet for his ill
| humor1
She had just finished and was
turning off the kitchen light when
the telephone rang.
As he did not deign to answer 1t,
Helen ran in to its persistent sum-
mons.
Hello? Who? Mr.. Merwin. !.
Why, Mr.. Curtis isn't very we'll.
We've just had to cancel dinner
engagement. He didn't feel equal
| to"
"That Merwin? I'll talk to him."
Warren, at her elbow, took the re-
ceiver.
Hello! Yes, I felt pretty rocky
today. How about your coming
over here? Do me good. !.
Finep
Warren, you're not going to have
any one here tonight?"
"Just Merwin."
"But thought you were going to
bed?"
"Oh. Merwin won't stay late.
Where'd you put that new box of
cigars?"
In half an hour, Mr.. Merwin was
in the library with Warren, laugh
ing. talking and smoking; while
/ Helen. strained ache in her throat,