The Washington times., 1935-08-13
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Walter paled. mo. I don't
understand you, Helen" he said,
but the anger had died out of
his face. What did Stella do
that should have excited you
So?"
A Quarrel
Helen began to laugh. She
controlled herself with an effort
as she felt the tentacles of hys-
terra take hold of her. Dirk
would not approve of her laugh
ing. Between gasps she said,
"She wouldn't let the Havemay-
ers in," and then because the
bitter outrage of the situation
filled her with fury, this time
she really lost herself in throes
Of hysterical laughter.
When she was quite calm
again and the baby was asleep,
she faced Walter again:
II will not go back to Bound
Brook until Stella goes and
that's all there's to it, Walt.
If she wants the house she can
have it. I'll spend the winter
here"
cit will look as if we've de-
serted Stella in her hour Of
need" Walter said desperately.
II should think for my sake you
could have exercised a little for
titude. What will the others
Say?"
"Walter, I don't care what
they say. How long does stella's
hour of need as you put it,
last? Why should you carry the
burden of Stella? It seems to
me your mother could take care
of her. Why everything hangs
on you is beyond me-"
Because 1 owe Stella some
thing-the immensely of which
you don't seem to realize. Be-
sides, she's my sister"
What do 1 owe Stella,
Walter?"
you're my wife" he per-
sisted doggedly. 1T would cost
you so little to be nice to her.
You have everything-she has
nothing. I never knew you to
be ungenerous, Helen. Yet
now when you can do some
thing for her, you pack up and
run! You know you have to
live with your in-laws all your
life-you might as well be gra-
cious about it."
What about me? Must I
always be secondary to them?
What have 1 got that Stella
hasn't? A husband? I have to
share you with her. with all of
them. They've insulted me and
Inundated me and imposed on
me and I'm supposed to bear
it. Why? Why do I have to
live with them all my life?"
Helen cried. her cheeks flaring.
"Oh." suddenly she was Sob
bling wildly, don't tell me again
what you owe them or I'll
scream!"
Helen, dearest, please"
Don't talk to me. We could
enjoy our life so if only you
didn't have that abnormal OBJ
session about them. You don't
love me or else you wouldn't
be so unreasonable" she sobbed.
Helen gave a little cry of
unspeakable misery and rushed
out of the room, slamming the
door after her. Half the night
she lay sobbing in her bed. She
heard him moving restlessly
about the living room. 1t was
three o'clock. He wouldn't come
to bed. he'd be ill and ex-
hausted the next day. She rose
unsteadily to. ner feet and stag.
gered to the door. He was sit
ting on the couch, his head
buried in his hands.
Walter, oh. Walter" she
whispered hoarsely, don't let's
make each other miserable. I
can't bear to see you unhappy"
He was beside her and they
chung to each other.
IN try to be kind. Walter,
but don't ask me to live with
Stella" she persisted mutt
nously.
Let's forget it. Maybe a way
will present itself. If she doesn't
want to stay on the farm alone,
I'll take an apartment for her.
She can't go back to mama's,
She doesn't get along with
Agnes"
Poor Walter, come to bed.
I'm sure you'll find a way"
Tenderly she led him to bed.
He chung to her. ooh Helen,
1t isn't easy for either of us.
But what can I do?" he pleaded.
She lay beside him in the
darkness until he was asleep. "A
truce" she thought bitterly.
land still no solution" She
bega1A to tremble with fear,