OCR Text |
Show pVf and MARKED LIFE; the noted aiithor WITH THE HELP OF HENRI ETTE. At Henrjette's sympathy I broke down and cried ftr ,it hurt me Inex-preasibly Inex-preasibly to think that just now. when i fell utterly grief-stfickeh, it was the sympathy f llenrieite only that I received. Of course I had not been long in my mot her in-law 's -house without connnt: lo realise that Hennette was a most superior woman. She was much old er than I and I know she had been Madam Gordon's maid since before EUj husband was born. Alter today 1 felt 1 should love Madam Cordon' maid better than I could ever love Madam Cordon. It was fortunate that I had only a lit tie nine in which to indulge In tears rmd that the arranging of my trip took my mind in some measure from my great sorrow. I was wandering aimlessly about the room, doing the little needless things nrhen 1 was recalled to myself by Henrietta's voice: "Will Mr. Cordon come after yotr?" "1 do not know," I answered. "Mr. Cordon does not yet know of my fathers fath-ers illness When I called him on the 'phone his secretary told me that he was engaged in an important conference confer-ence and did not wish to be disturbed." dis-turbed." Henrietta pursed her lips peculiarly but said nothing, as she began to pack a trunk. 1 wondered for a moment it I had not been hast) lu not Insisting upon speaking with John undei the circumstances. 1 decided, however, that I could not have io!d nr. sad news to any one but John himself, and 1 knew that only battle, murder or fire would drag John to the telephone when he was in an "important corner once." "1 don't think 1 had better take a trunk, llenriette. ' 1 said when I came to myself enough to know what she was doing. "Just pack a bis bag and my dressing case. Please call a taxi for a quarter to si.v" As I hastily bathed my swollen lace. I realized for the first time that possibly pos-sibly 1 did not have enough money for m; Journej 1 had not been able lo find courage enough since our marriage mar-riage to ask John for money and he had said nothing about an allowance vhich I was sure he meant to give me. llenriette saw me looking in my purse and as I counted my money she must have noticed how little I had for she offered: "I hope you will let me give you what money you need, Mrs. Gordon. Madam Gordon paid me today and I 'have not yet been to the bank'" "Thank you so much, llenriette, I I think fifteen dollars will do v. it h wh t I have. ' 1 answered, relieved. "I can-' can-' nut tell you how fine I think it is for , you to offer it to me I shnll always I be grateful." "Oh. Mrs. Cordon. I am sure you I would do it for me under the same I circumstances, and just because you are rich and I am a working woman. does not change the fact that we both may love and must suffer, does H?" "So, llenriette, and neither will it mike nie forget that in my hour of trouble, when otherwise 1 should be quite alone, you have been to me a 'sympathetic friend.' I answered, the grateful tears this time coming to my eyes. 1 As though to change my thoughts, Llenriette said btiskiy : "Vou have onlv just time enough to get your train, Mrs. Gordon. I telephoned tele-phoned for the taxi while you were bathing your face and it will be here I at any moment now." As in confirmation of her words Wo loard the taxi drive up and, calling the house man to take down my bag gage, Henriette followed me to the ' porte cochere. 1 "Tell Mr. Gordon, Henriette, that l could not wait lor a later train as I my mother is all alone, l have left the telegram I received on my drest, ing table." "I'll tell him, Mrs Gordon," he said crisply, and in spite of my grief I almost al-most smiled at the grim expression of her face. I knew that Henriette had known my husband since he was born and she probably would be per fectly respectful in breaking my news in him, but 1 was sure that she would HO if in 3 nn-u-kc rnnell io nrv moi. I ner. As the taxi turned the corner it al-1 al-1 most collided with a limousine and, ilookinp up, I saw Madam Gordon and Bessie Moreland who was evidently coming to the house for dinner. For a moment my grief turned to bitterness bitter-ness even though I knew that both John and his met her were perfectly i unconscious of the sorrow that bad come to me. I wonder if John wili feel called 'upon to entertain Miss Moreland this evening even though his wife is speed , ing to her dying father:" was the uninvited thought which came to my mind. I I dismissed the Idea immediately, and Mt raiher ashamed for 1 was I SUM that when John knew why I had called him he WOUld be full of loving contrition and would follow me as soon as possible. I Entering the train, 1 tried to tell myself my-self again thai I should have told John at once that my father was dy ing, but 1 had a horror of imparting uch news through an employe. If was too personal, too tragic! Had 1 said It over the wire, 1 should have burst into tears. As it was, 1 was eobblng out ray grief alone (Continue-d tomorrow.) |