San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1924-03-30
THE MARRIED LIFE
of
HELEN AND WARREN
Bv Mabel Herbert Timer
A LOST FORCES THEIR MIDNIGHT INTRUSION AS SELF
INVITED GUESTS
By Mabel Herbert Urner

m. Hope l don't bust these pajamas,"
cautiously wiggling his shoulders.
You wouldn't think Mr.. Reynolds
was so much smaller. Your legs
Dear, you look too funny for words"
Sort of parky round the stumps."
grinning down at his gaunt ankles be-
meath the too-short pajamas. Not
built for perfect So. There, that's
BETTER" unbuttoning the coat at the
neck.
The next button, too. You'll tear
it across the chest. And mines miles
too big. Flannelette! l didn't know
anybody wore that now"
Lot more sensible than those lace
and ribbon flimsies you wear" stalk
| ing out to the bath room. his coat over
his abbreviated pajamas.
| When he came back. Helen was
struggling with the one window by the
bed.
See if you can get this down from
the top-so it won't blow right on
onr heads. And we're not going to
have enough covers"
How about this?" Ripping off his
overcoat. he flung it across the bed.
Wont reach over us both. Dear.
We'll have to ask for another blanket"
We'll do nothing of the sort. Not
going TO put her to any more trouble
my rings" holding up her hand.
Il left them in the bath room. Dear,
you get them, won't you? You've got
your shoes on"
Grumblingly Warren jerked his coat
| from the bed, threw it over his shoul-
ders, and with elephantine caution tip.
| tOed down the hall.
"Whatll you forget next?" when he
came back with her rings. Better
tie 'em around your neck with your
key"
Il know. I'm all clustered tonight"
depreciatingly. You get in now, I'll
cover you up with your coat"
She was spreading over the bed his
coat and her evening wrap, when
someone knocked on the door.
I'm sorry didn't give you enough
covers" Mrs. Reynolds handed in a
rose-plaid blanket.
"She heard!" whispered Helen.
Closing the door she leaned against il
in panicky dismay. "Oh, did She
did she hear everything / said?'
IF she got what you said about the
covers, she got the rest" in a grim
undertone. "And you were hammering
everything about the place"
"Oh, no. it would be too awful" in
an aguished whisper. You don't
think she heard what I said about the
towels-the nightgown-and that soil
ed corset?'
Serves you right, if she did You
blow in here at this hour and start
panning the works"
II didn't mean to! 1t sounded so
much worse than / meant it, almost
in tears. Dear, you know j don
criticise-not in hateful way"
We'll if that wasn't knocking
what d'you call it? You weren't hand
ing her any bouquets. Here. put out
that light. No use stewing over it
now"
In bed, Helen lay staring at the I'M
familiar shadows in abject remorse
over her thoughtless ingratitude.
She recalled every speech-her in
excusable comments. Was She grow
ing to be as critical as Warrens sis
ter? Those were the things Carrie
would have said-the things she hated
her for saying.
What must Mrs. Reynolds have
thought?
Her hot face crushed into the pill
low. Helen made a penitent, fervid
resolution TO guard her every speech
from thoughtless. unkind comments.
Lie STILL" grOwled Warren, should
ering the covers. How d'you expect
me to sleep with you Hopping around?
This beds none too wide, anyway"
Dear. how could ] have said those
horrid, catfish things? Tell me when
l say things like that. Don't let that
habit grow on me-" TREMENDOUSLY. Il
don't want to be unkind-you know |
don't, How can l ever face her after
this!'
"Oh. well, save your heroics. I
oughtn't TO tell you, but il / don't
you'll toss around here all night. She
didn't hear you"
"She didn't hear me-" clutching his
arm. "She didn't-then how did she
know we wanted more cover:'
MET her as went to the bath room
for your rings l asked for a blanket.
But it wasn't your fault she didn't
hear you. You're always shooting off
your trap. Never stop to think how
anything sounds. Now turn over
there! Stop thrashing around and let
me get some sleep"
| Copyright, 1924, by Mabel Herbert Harper