San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1923-10-21


Take a look in the library"
Quarter of nine" as she came back
from the library.
Then punch that bell. I'll have
time for another waffle"
With tumultuous emotions Helen
touched the button under the table.
Her ruse had succeeded, He would
miss the nine-forty, He would not
take later train, for the course would
be too crowded.
His enforced return would not make
for his amiability. He would be surly
all day, but at least he would be home.
Mr.. Curtis will have another waffle.
Nora. No. / don't care fol any,"
why is blazes don't you eat? I'm
about fed up with your sulking,'
I'm not sulking-I told YOU I've a
toothache." -.
Huh, you've always got something :"
1t was too much. The tears, threat
ening all morning. now welled up.
Abruptly she left the table and
sought the refuge of her own room.
The sun flooding her couch seemed n
mocking note. and the dull pain in her
tooth contributed TO her wretchedness.
well I'm off" Warren was at
the door. Get up and finish your
breakfast" brusquely. If you're not
sick now you will be-"
She heard him at the hall closet
getting out his golf sticks and his
gruff, "Get away" to Pussy Purr-
New. you're always under my
feet" Then the slam Of the front
door.
He had not even kissed her. Helen's
hot face burned against the pillow.
He was willing TO leave her like this
Last nj ht, lying awake, she had
tried to ignore the pain in her tooth
by thinking Of all she would have 10
show Aunt Cora. How impressed she
would be with their luxurious eigh,-
room apartment and Warren's pros
perity.
But now, material things seemed
TO matter so little beside his humiliat'
ing Indifference and neglect. She would
be happier in a cheap three-room flat
if he were only more considerable.
"Will clear the table now, ma'am
Amt you goin' TO eat nothin' more!'
mo, I'm through conscious tina,
Nora at the door was both sympathe.
tic and curious. But don't throw out
that coffee. l may have some later
YEARLY, she forced herself to gel
up. Aunt Cora was coming at IL
There was much to be done and she
must help, as Nora was to have the
afternoon.
But all the exultant pride in the
thought of Showing off" her home
was gone. And for days she had
looked forward to it.
So rarely any of her Iowa rela-
tives ever came, and when they did
she wanted them to carry back glow
ing reports.
She remembered the letter her
mother had written after her Cousin
Rena's visit two years ago.
50" She says you have a beau
tiful home--everything the best. Size
thinks Warren so generous-.gives you
everything you want.
Yes. that was true. Warren was
generous-with money. but that
seemed so unimportant now.
What story would Aunt Cora taxi
back? How would she interpret his
grouchiness?
She was morbidly glad that hel
cheek was slightly swollen-an obvi
Gus excuse for her depression.
Can / use that cloth we had las
week for the Stevens?' Nora agali
appeared. There amt bu: one spo
on it'll put that at your place"
mo. we must have n fresh cloth
But never Mindful set the table
You finish up in the kitchen"
Setting the table for company We.
for Helen usually a joyous privilege
She loved her dainty silver and chin;
all the table appointments planned
and purchased with such pride. Blu
today it was n pain-weighted task.
She was filling the salt cellar
when she heard Warren's key in tn,
door.
The thump of his golf clubs as HI
threw down the bag in the hall TheI
his brisk step into the dining room.