The Cairo bulletin., 1906-05-10
ONLY FRIENDS.
BY KENNETH HARRIS.

eled-glass squares In the inner door,
Galloway greeted her with grave an
respectful politeness.
Il hardly expected you" said ,h
young woman, as they stepped in
Il got your note, you know" ex
planned Galloway. Il got it this morn
ing, and as had nothing on hand
thought Id just run over and see II yo
happened to be In"
1T was awfully good of you to com
so soon-especially as you had nothin
better to do
Il said nothing else on hand" cor
rected Galloway. Il thought that"
Yes"
THAT as a friend might take tn
liberty of suiting my convenience II
the matter.
on"
You said When you feel like it. +"
And so You really felt like it,"
'Of course-or | shouldn't have beer
here.
Il wish now that | hadn't writer
that note said the girl. Only
thought that II might be possible, as
said that We could be good friends"
Il thought So too, Miss Latimer."
I'VE could talk and visit and--oh, dc
all the things that friends do, But
don believe you want to be friends al
all.
Il do. indeed. You haven't got bet
ter friend than | am
You're just saying that to be po-
lite
No, I'm quite In earnest | don't see
any reason why we can't be. Just be
cause we feel that we had both made {
mistake In thinking"
Il said we would avoid that subjee
YOU know, interrupted the girl, tie
me, what have you been doing lately
Have you been out anywhere, seeing
anything or reading anything"
Haven't been anywhere except to
the office or seen anything or anybody
Haven't READ anything-exce
Except what?"
Some letters
How funny! What have you been
doing?"
Staying at home Smoking"
Il shouldn't think that was very In
teresting"
1T hasn't been"
why do you answer me like that
just short and snappy? | don't think
that's very friendly. You say you
haven't seen anybody. Are you quite
sure? You haven't made any cals7'
This the first call I've made since
for eight days. What have you been
doing?"
II? Oh, let me see. I've been going
to parties-no, only one party. No,
with some sewing for the bazaar and
entertaining callers and shopping and
trying to read A Pansy of the Wilder
ness and I've been to three matinees
and don't know what I've been as
busy as can be-"
you must have been enjoying your
self"
Il have-immensely. I've been hav-
ing good time"
Were the callers entertaining as
well as entertained"
Some OF them were delightful"
Harvey Lowe among EN-"
o MIR, Lowe? Let ME see, | believe
Mr.. Lowe was here once or twice
Why"
"Uh, Just had a curiosity to know"
said the young man, gloomIly. Il sup
pose he brought you that book on the
table"
"A Pansy of the Wilderness? You
ought TO read that. Would you like
to-"
NO, thank you"
We'll. OF course you needn't IL you
don't like IT,. But you needn't be cross
either I'm sure I'm trying my best to
be friendly. Why cant you be? Please
do"
Il pave been doing my best" said
But don't see why you
want to form any new friendships ex.
actly You have plenty of them with.
out me and I'm sure that Lowe must
be host in himself"
But ! want YOU
Mabel"
Il want you to be friendly"
Il am. But ! mustn't take up your
lime You might have been amusing
all this while. for instance.
Perhaps you are. though. But Il isn't
fun for me. What did you say-Ma.
bel?"
Il don't know whether | ought TO lei
you cali me Mabel.
What was 1t you ssid?'
Il don't hear you.
Galloway rose and went over 20 the
scttee. II was not a very large one,
but two could occupy f. II they sat
close. iie look Miss Laiimers hand
Now tell me what IL was you said?"
he demanded.
Il said It wasn't any fun for me
either You mustn't hold my hand"
"How often did Lowe csll?"
only once. and didn't come down.
/ didn't want 10 bother lie didn't
bring me that book Aunt Martha
gave IL 20 me. Its horrid. too. What
letters were you reading
Yours I've been wretched. Mabel.
since"
so have l. haven had a good time
, hif and I only went 10 two matt