The Washington times., 1935-07-20
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"We'd better be starting,
dear. Oh, damnation!" he re-
membered suddenly.
whats the matter. dear?"
"I've forgotten. This is
Wednesday. All the girls and
their husbands always have din
ner with mama on Wednes-
day."
Helen paled. Cant we wait
and tell them tomorrow" she
fa1tered.
''No, it's just as well this way.
It's a luckily thing for us at that.
Wen tell 'em all at one time
and get it over with"
Don't you worry, honey" he
soothed her, you're my wife
now. The Rileys always stick
together, through thick and
thin. AS I say, be prepared for
q little fuss at the beginning,
but the rest will be clear sail
ing. Clear sailing!"
Helen's first impression was
grandeur, heavy Spanish furni-
ture, red tapestries, fringe,
enormous tapestries on iron
rods on the wall, but as they
stood on the threshold to the
Riley living room, there seemed
to be a great crowd there, all
staring at her.
Mamma, girls, everybody, I
want you to meet my wife"
She chung to his arm. She
tried to smile. The silence was
dreadful and then it burst as
suddenly as does a toy balloon
when a match touches it. There
was an excited babble of voices.
''Walter!" Irene shrieked,
"you must be mad! That's
Helen Schiller, one of our
help!"
my Lord!" cried another.
A shrek from Agnes. "Care-
full, mamma. Catch her, Jerry.
My Lord she's fainted!"
Walter was at his mothers
side, chatting her cold hands.
Mamma, mamma" he i'm
plored. He turned savagely to
Eddie, who was standing around
with a grin on his face. I'm
my room, in my desk, is a flask
of whisky. Quick, get it. Middle
drawer" Walter barked. Eddie
scurried off.
"You you idiot" Irene
ragged, her eyes flashing. "How
dare you burst in on mamma
like that with a wife"
Walter didn't answer. "Dirk,
Jerry. help me get her into
bed"
He lifted his mother. Dirk
supported her shoulders and
Jerry fumbled about her feet.
They carried her into the bed
room, the girls, save Stella,
following.
Helen stood uncertainty by
Anastasia'S chair. She was
trembling so violently that she
could scarcely stand.
so that's why you didn't
come in this morning" Stella
snapped rudely. you've got a
nerve to marry my brother.
Pretty smart, aren't you, to
vamp him right under my
nose?"
Helen paled. eve love each
other" she said simply.
Stella choked with rage.
Helen had q momentary fear
that Stella would slap her. Her
heart missed a beat. But Stella
turned abruptly on her heel
and walked out to join the
others in the bedroom, from
whence came the sound Of
angry voices.
She was alone in the big
room. Helen had an impulse
to run away when the tall,
kindly man with tortoise shell
glasses came in.
She'll come to in a minute" "
he treasured her gently. I'm
Dirk Terhune, Irene's husband.
That makes me your brother
inlaw. Let me offer you my
sincere good wishes. hope
the rest will do the same when
they regain their composure
and their manners. Don't trem-
BILE so, child"
THANK you," she whispered
huskily. I'm Helen Schiller. I
mean Helen Riley now. We
were married this morning"
She looked at him piteously.
els. is his mother all right?"
Certainly! The shock, that's
all. Some people faint with
joy!" he grinned briefly. Here
they come now. Buck up!
They'll get over it."
They burst into the room like
q cavalcade, Irene in the lead,
followed by Walter, who was
red and harrowed-looking.
How could you'll" stormed