The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1906-06-14
Just to 0bIige a Friend.


The girl looked frightened and he
noticed it.
That is, it isn't something I've got
to say-at least, I've got to say it,
because | promised to say it, but 1t
isn't really any of my fu-not my
affair, don't you know"
"Of course. | understand you per-
fectly now" said the girl, regaining
her self-possession.
"Of course, you don't" said the
young man. Il started wrong, I'll
try it again. l know you won't mind
if put the matter plainly before you.
I'm not talking for myself. I'm talk
ing for that chump Bannister
didn't really mean that Bannister IS
a chump, you know. Only in some
things-well, you understand"
Nothing could be palmer" said the
girl, with a smile Of baby innocence.
You needn't guy me-" said the
young man, plaintively. "You know
Bannister."
Slightly think I've met him
occasionally during the last two or
three months"
81 think you have, too. From all
he tells me there haven't been very
many days in the last two or three
months that you haven't had beau
tiful opportunity Of meeting him.
I'm afraid | must have neglected
some Of them" said the girl, demurely.
"Well, Bannister's all right"
I'm glad to hear that" said the
girl with some fervor. you've no
idea how relieved | am. Do you know,
I've had a suspicion once or twice
that he wasn't quite right"
you're making it hard for me, be-
cause this is a serious business, and
when you laugh-well, I'm going to
tell you, anyhow. The old boy adj
mlres you"
Lets talk about somebody else"
suggested the girl, putting her hand
to her mouth to emphasize delicately
contrived little yawn.
"Well, he's gone on you. It's a
case"
thlhh gOh ll'iol pN iliohhhNh'
81 guess not" said the young man.
you take it from me-believe me, it's
the straight goods-a genuine and
lasting affection. That's what Petite
said it was"
"If he really did, don't think it's
right Of you to betray his confidence"
"Betray his confidence" echoed the
young man. "Why, that's my job.
That's what I'm here for. He wanted
me to tell you. Don't you understand?
The lob-he didn't have the sand to
tell you himself, so he has to rope me
in TO do it for him. If it had been
anybody else but Petite"
I'm beginning to understand now"
said the girl, with extreme calmness.
He knew you had plenty of expert.
ence in such matters"
Honest, | don't know a thing about
it," protested the young man. Il
never had any experience. There's
only one girl | ever-anyway, | don't
want you to think that | know any
thing about it. ! didn't want to do
this, understand, but Petite"
Tell me about the only one you
ever" said the girl But perhaps
shouldn't ask you that. Only we are
such good friends-aren't we?-that |
thought might be able to help you"
You can't" said the young man,
rather shortly.
as she fair or dark"
Tin not going to tell you"
Dear Petie" sighed the girl, soft
ly, after a moments pause.
Then I'm to tell him it's all right.
am u" demanded the young man,
harshly. Is that what Dear Petite
means?'
"You haven't any right to ask me
such a question" said the girl, with
sudden anger. II never supposed that
Mr. Bannister had much sense or deli
cacy, but | did foolishly think you
had little. | find | was very much
mistaken in that. | never want to see
either of you again"
The young man almost forcibly de-
tained her as she tried to escape, sit
down moment, please he said, i'm.
ploringly, I knew I'd make a mess
Of this. Say, Edith-Miss Woodberry
please listen a moment. | hated to
do this You don't know, you cant
guess how | hated to do it. That idiot
just laid down on me. | simply had
to do omething-promise him that
I'd tell you. I couldn't tell him |
wouldn't without"
without what" asked the girl,
family, her hands still covering her
face.
W'thout-without hurting his feel
ings."
Il hate Mr.. Bannister!" said the
girl, cXplosiyely.
well said the young man in a
philosophical tone you've got a right
to if you want to. Petite will have to
stand it, that's all. But you do not
hate me- do you?"
Yes" replied the girl Still. per-
haps, You did it out of friendship.
But Mr. Bannister-if you cared for a
girl would you ask somebody else to
tell her? Wouldn't you tell her your
self?'
The young man hesitated. There
might be circumstances, he said, but
| wouldn't want anybody else TO- any
way"
'Are-are YOU going to ask that girl
you were speaking of? Or have you
already?
Il haven't yet" replied the young