Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1926-12-30
THE SPIDER WOMAN
BY HAZEL DEYO BACHELOR.

quarreled with your best beloved. lie
took exception to these words. You
would have died IL YOU could have
seen his face. Then l. asked him why
he didn't try TO get In some good
work with you while the quarrel
lasted. j told him you might be won
on the rebound. He fell. for il all
He'll probably be out TO stay with
mother and Dorrie over the week
end. But, you'll have to be careful
not to fall for him too easily, oh.
by the way. Nina's married, Can
you beat that? And when I asked
him how she was, and If she were
still as interesting as ever, YOU
should have heard him."
She was Just leading him es..
them"
"Of course. With her Il was anv
eligible man. She wanted a husband
and it never makes any difference T..
women like that whether they steal
another woman,s husband or not. OF
course. John never really cared for
her: I always knew that"
On Saturday John did come out To
Mrs. Fords. Helena was there and
Natalie and Junior. Dorrie was at
her usual Saturday afternoon task
OF moving the lawn. The heat had
broken and the day was sparkling
and cool
Helena's manner was perfect. She
was, casually friendly toward John.
but nothing more. He was in de
spair as to how to proceed. How had
| he ever been such a fool as to losD
her to another man? And how couIS
he believe that she would ever look
lat him again?
And then a trivial incident gave
him chance to lie alone with her.
/ They were all on the porch laughing
and talking. when suddenly an acrid
smell drifted out to them from the
kitchen. Mrs. Ford sprang 10 her
feet suddenly Its the pudding
she gasped. II suppose it's ruined"
Then she disappeared inside the
house
A moment later she returned. "ft's
hopeless wreck"
That's all right, mother. Til GO
down town and get some ice cream.
Be good sport, Helena, and drive me
down.
Helena complied, graciously. but
without eagerness. 1t wasn't until
they had started down the linden.
lined avenue that ,: John suggested
| that they take a little drive.
II want to'~ta1k| to you,' he said
| boyishly. I'm sorry for what hap
ashamed
''Oh. that's all right" Helena said
| lightly. I've forgotten it."
But / haven't; John went on
| quickly. Helena. i realized that
| night that / have made a fool of nv.
SELF ] never loved Nina Price"
Natalie tells me she's married. &"
Helena said evenly. Perhaps that's
why you don't love her any longer"
That isn't true. knew it be
| fore. j give YOU my word
That's very interesting, John. but
| of course. it doesn't affect me in the
| slightest"
His heart sank at her words. but
he stumbled on. Perhaps not, but
wanted YOU to know. Whatever YOU
| want to do with your life, is your
own affair. / want YOU TO be happy
| and / want you to have what you
want. But / can't let you go without
telling you the truth. I've made a
fool of myself. I've hurt YOU and
| driven YOU away from me. But I'm
| awake at last. / love you, Helena.
Don't think I'm telling you this be-
| cause / expect You to come back to
| me or anything of that kind. But
it's the truth. I could have saved
my pride by not telling you, because
| realize you no longer care any
thing about me. But. as l said be-
/ fore. i had to tell you. feel that
| owe il to YOU" ',<-' -
BE- Continued in tomoYrow's start