The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1922-06-29
MONEY 0R--HELEN
BY MARIANA sAk
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}. 1929. by Mcclure Newspaper Syndicate.

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q. lS22 by Mcclure Newspaper Syndicate.
Helen glanced sharply at the kitch-
en- clock. Jack would soon be home
for dinner He was very fussy young
husband, who always wanted his meals
on time; consequently, 1t kept Helen
hurrylng to and fro trying to keep up
with the heartless clock.
AS she turned away from the clock
her eyes strayed towards the back
kitchen. She remembered she had for
gotten to take the cream down cellar.
Hurrylng down the stairs with the
heavy bowl, she lost her balance and
fell the rest Of the way down.
Almost the next instant she heard
Jacks voice as he and the hired man
entered the kitchen.
Helen !--Helenp but no Helen an.
swered.
She was discovered unconscious five
minutes later by panic-stricken Jack.
Helen's eyes roamed from one to the
other. "He doesn't love me any more,
she walled. HE loves money instead.
He doesn't talk like he used to. Oh-h-"
Then she sang dltty he had
loved-once. Again her voice rose bit
terly. HE always says Hurry up,
hurry up I'm nothing but an old
housekeeper. he don't love me.
Oh.h-h--"
"Good Lord, Pete Get the doctor.
She's"
Old Doctor Grey pulled at his whis'
kers. Possibly she may have hurt
her back, but her head Get me
spoon, Jack.
"She's been worrying quite q lot
Jack. and this fall has left her pretty
well shaken up. She'll be all right II
you'll be careful. Better get Widow
Hayes to look after her. She's got to
sleep. Try TO quiet her"
jack tried and succeeded. lie was
awkward; It was so long since he
had petted her.
When Jack returned from the fields
that night he hurried through the
chores. Pete and Mrs. Hayes left at
half-past six. Helen was feeling rest
ed and happy. Would Jack be differ
ent-the Jack he had once been. Her
excitement was shoitllved, for Jack
Immediately upon learning that she
was better, said:
"The boys are having time to-
night. I'll be home around ten.
Smiths going to stop for me-
Helen lay thinking bitterly. Eight
o'clock, nine. then ten--ten-thirty. She
reused herself A low rumble warned
her Of an approaching storm. Al
though she feared being alone, there
was nothing she dreaded more than
storm.
She closed and locked oil the win
dows-eleyen o'clock. but no Jack.
Suddenly she heard a commotlon In
the barn, then nelghing. Someone was
in the barn. Then she remembered.
It was Beauty, Jacks fayorlte horse
evidently suffering from collie. She
would give Beauty some sugar, then
pour the medicine down his throat, as
she had seen Jack do.
Armed with Jacks revolver for
greater safety Helen fought her way
to the barn. shrinking at each flash
Of lightning and clap OF thunder. She
doscd the suffering horse. As Helen
rushed from the stall. the horse raised
his heels, striking her to the floor.
For the second time that day Jack
searched for Helen. This time from
cellar TO attic.
, 1t was nearly midnight when JACK
decided to saddle Beauty and search
for his wife at the farm. The storm
had nbated and the barn was flooded
with feeble light as Jack entered
He gasped and started back Lying
In heap was Helen-withln arms
length his revolver
What followed Jack never clearly
remembered. lie tried to calm him
self by walking brlskly up and down
the kitchen while the doctor worked
over Helen. Presently the door openst
and the doctor entered.
as she--all rlghtl
"well-go In and see her"
lie strobe Into the slckroom
please" Helen's weary voice star
tied him, "please don't say anything
I'm going away for good can't stant
II any longer-Tll settle for Beauty
and everything"
"Oh darn Beauty-Helen. don't tall
about money. It's about killing me
when ! think how stingy and NEAR
I've been-just as you"
81 wasn't dellrious-lf that's wha
you mean. just pretended to be-"
"well-let's forgive and make M
Let's start all over agaln-please
Helen, give me one more chance. WI
you, deari"
For moment she hesItated-not be
cause she wasn't sure, but because
"Oh. well" she murmured, "all right