The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1935-08-31

with fatigue and anguish, trleo
to quiet her. Utterly SPENT
she'd cry softly.
"Only I am to blame. I killed
him. robbed him of his work
and his hopes. I goaded him.
Oh, God, kill me too! Strike me
dead! Don't let me- live and
breathe and think. I'm dying
with anguish. Oh, God, pity
me. Put an end to me- help
mel"
Tears poured down Walters
face. She chung to him. She
tore his shirt with her nails.
AL night long he held her to
him while remorse and hatred
tore her asunder.
The sun rose hot and clear
in the east with promise Of
another scorching day. Toward
morning Irene fell into a fitful,
gasping doze. Walter tiptoed
into the bathroom where a cold
shower revivified him. He found
a shirt of Dirk's. His was in
shreds. No sooner was he
dressed than the phone rang.
Anastasia calle d, Agnes
called, Stella called, Cecily Ter
hume called.
Walter, his nerves taut, an"
swered them and tried to keep
from shouting for them to leave
him alone!
The clang and beat Of his sis
tiers demanding details. At eight
Helen called. She had seen the
morning papers. She was be"
side herself with anguish and
horror but she only asked, "Oh,
Walt, is it true?"
eyes" he answered harshly.
"Let me come and help you,
dearest"
mo, no." he shouted.
Every we'll, darling. I know
what you must be facing. If
you want me. just call. Ill be
ready to come"
He hung up on her without
answering.
The day was a nightmare for
Walter. His jaw set, his soul
frozen with the horror he had
still to face with Helen, he
stood his ground before Irene'S
door and permitted no one, not
even er beloved DR.. Fussnagel
to enter. BY telephone, with
Cecily Terhune's help, he ar
ranged for the funeral. The
telephone rang necessarily. Wal
ter hadn't time to send down
for cup Of coffee. He smoked
all his cigarettes then emptied
all the cigarette boxes he could
find around the apartment.
By noon his sisters arrived
clamoring to see Irene.
II want to help her with
prayers" Agnes gulped, her eyes
red and swollen with weeping.
you can't see her"
II must see her"
''No one will see her while I'm
still alive to forbid it," he yelled.
Irene wants to be alone!"
Neither his mother nor the
Terhunes did he permit to open
her door. He himself brought
in trays from the restaurant be-
low and she returned them un-
touched.
At 3 o'clock Carl relieved him.
Walter threw himself down on
the couch in the living-room and
slept like a weary dog. He
awoke at 6, wet with perspira-
ton.
Helen phoned twice." Carl
told him as he gave Walter the
accumulated messages. Walter
set his jaw. He did the neces-
sary phoning but did not call
his wife.
He spent a second night keep
ing vigil with his sister.
1t was decided to hold the
funeral on the morning of the
third day, from the undertaking
parlors. Irene, still in bed,
would not go, but Walter prom
ised to lock her in so that no
one would disturb her while he
was gone.
And still Walter did not tele-
phone Helen. She called for
the dozenth time the morning
of the funeral. She was hurt at
Walters brusque voice when he
did answer. Her only reproach
was that he would not let her
help him.
Are you sure you don't need
me, dear? want to help"
mo" he retorted.
And finally Helen was stung
by the note in his voice.
Very we'll, I'll see you at the
funeral" she said.
Ito Be Continued)
Copyright 1898. by Julian Messnsr.
Distributed nv king FeaturOR