San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1925-08-02

that greasy can-bacon drippings,
Ugh. And Carrie was always crit
cising her maids. -
Spooning some sugar from the
white enamel tin. Helen glimpsed
a Dresden china bowl on the shelf
above. Her last years Christmas
gift to Carrie! !
And not the first time she had
found her presents relegated to the
kitchen. But with four more days
no use tanning resentment.
''Don't want it very sweet, do
you?" when she stirred the sugar
into the lemonade.
Don't ever bring him another
water pistol" snapped Carrie, re-
joining them. "He drenched the
bed squirting at Jane. Too souri,"
Il thought I put in a lot. So
much sugar isn't good for u.s."
"Wel, we don't all share your
prejudices, Helen. You always have
some new health code you try to
inflict on everybody else"
'Helen's right, we all eat too
much sugar." Lawrence tempered
his wife's rude thrust. "And it's the
candy you put away that's making
you stout"
II haven't gained a pound in six
weeks! !" bristling. "And I don't in
tend to starve myself as some people
do to keep thin"
"What's the timer yawned War
ron. TOO early to turn in!"
Not for me-" Helen, eager to es-
cape, slid out of the hammock.
III go on up now" leaving him
TO finish his cigar. Good night
everybody"
Upstairs in the large sbadowy
guest room, she undreSsed in the
dark.
Her head ached, her eyes ached.
Sick from the heat and sleepless
nights.
An ominous buzz. Where was
that citronella?
Four more days! And no plaus-
ible excuse to curtail their visit.
Last year she had written Nora
to phone there was q leak, and the
year before she had connived with
Warren's stenographer to summon
him back. She dared no further
variation Of that ruse.
At the bed now, sprinkling citron-
ella over the pillows.
Shrieking. she fell back! Come
thing clutcbing her feet.
Someone under the bed : Scream
ing, she dashed towards the door.
A shrill giggle-Bobbie!
Then, sUrmounting her shattered
nerves, came a swift inspiration.H
Before they could race up the
stairs, she lay inert on the floor.
"Tbat damned younZsterr' War
ren's strong arms were lifting her
to the bed. Get some water
quick!7
Here's some" Carries Hurried
treble. HE didn't mean to! he
was just playing"
A sprinkle Of cold water on her
face. Helen moaned and turned her
head lest her flinchins eyelids be-
tray her.
'sTbat was a de7ilish prank :"
from Lawrence. I'll tan him for
that"
You'll not whip him! He's too
nervous" flared Carrie. "You can
talk to him."
Talk to him?" snorted Warren,
all say it with a trunk strap"
The strong bedside light making
difficult her feigned faint, Helen
stirred, sighed, and opened her eyes.
What was it," achieving
dazed 3yagueness. What happen
ed?'
Just Bobbie. Hid under the
bed aud grabbed at you. You're
all right now, Kitten" Warren awk-
wardly brushed back her hair.
Her eyes closed languidly. Her
feminine love for dramatics would
have prolonged the scene, but her
sister-in-laws keen scrutiny hast
ened her revival.
At last alone, with plaintive sp-
peal Helen looked up at Warren,
still sitting on the bed. ~
"AlI right now, Kitten?- not
varying his one solicitous phrase.
"Dear, won't you take me home
tomorrow" weakly.
Tomorrow? Why, we can't shove
off so soon! They'll think"
"Oh, / WANT to go home J"
with quiVering sobs. "Oh!" drop
ping back. II feel faint again"
"Here, Carrie brought this"
holding the salts under her nose.
"All right now? Hate like thunder
to cut short our VISIT"
"IIl be sick il stay! The heat
and the mosQuitoes--- And nov
this shock" TREMENDOUSLY. "There's
a train ut o 80. Dear, can't we"
"See here, Kitten. it'll look fierce
to run off Ike that. can't"
"Oh, I'm all unstrung! And the
way my heart beats! That aw-
A sobbing interim as the am
monia salts brought real tears.
"All right, Kitten, I'll tell 'em
the heats too much for you"
"The 0 80? You promise? oh J"
sinking back with restrained re-
Her strategy having served Its
purpose, Helen's resuscitation was
rapid. But not too rapid. She
still luxuriated in Warren's rare
solicitude.
"A good Iambasting-that's what
I'll hand him" raging at his impish
nephew. Hiding under the beS-
and Jumping out at you!'
ooh, he didn't realize now ~
would brighten me-" now grateful
for the prank. Dear, put out the
lights. Well be eaten up! Yes,
I'm all right now. You'd better
drag the bed to the window-we'll
get more air."
"Not much to GET" moving the
bed with her in it. "And no let-up
in sight. Paper says hotter tomor-
row.