Bryan daily eagle and pilot. [volume] (Bryan, Tex.) 1909-1918, 1909-12-11
Their Sympathetic
Friends

from his nest OF pillows on the sitting
room couch. lie held her cool hand
for q moment and then. releasing II
with sigh. remarked. YEARLY. "A
few hours away from me has done
you good. knew Il would brighten
you up TO 20 out among your friends.
Did you see many Of them?"
"oh. yes. Rob. and they were all
very sympathetic"
Kirkland made an effort 20 look
grateful. Mrs. Kirkland.
smiling. sat down on s>ssock BY the
invalid's couch and prepares to relate
the details Of her little outing.
First" she said. II went over 10
your Aunt Harriet's. for knew that
even the fact OF your having two
broken ribs. a fractured collar bone
and a sprained ankle would not be in
her mind q valid excuse for my not
calling on her during the month that
you've been H."
How was she,"
mo worse than usual. but exceed
ingly bitter against automobiles. She
said she was not at all surprised that
you got hurt, for automobiling Is o.
reckless and ertravagant habit for
people In our present circumstances.
There"
why. didn't she know that wasn't
in our own car and that sold ours
the very day after those signed notes
brought US into such troubley"
Yes. OF course she knows that"
said Mrs. Kirkland. but your accident
Is a delightful justification OF her
present theory that all the troubles In
the world grow out OF automobiling.
so she couldn't resist pointing a
moral. However. she sent her love to
you and said 10 say you ought 10 be
very thankful that you still have your
head on your shoulders and a roof
over H."
kirkland made grimace. Mrs.
Kirkland went on cheerily:
Then ] dropped in to see Clara
Holland. I'm afraid things are going
badly with her now. Toms been
drinking again and his mother thinks
It's all Claras fault and won't even
help her with the grocery bill. And
her baby Is sick and peeyish. My
heart just ached for her until she said
that when she thought Of what trou-
BILE you and I have had lately she felt
she oughtnt to complain Of her little
worries. She feels dreadfully sorry
for US. Rob-"
Very kind Of her. I'm sure. But we
can stu struggle with our own grocery
bill, Poor Clara means well. Of
course"
yes. indeed. II was refreshing %
go into the Bowerses' luxurious home
after the disorder and confusion Of
Clara's fat. gladly accepted Mira,
Bowers invitation TO lunch. Mr..
Bowers comes home for that meal now
and he looked 90 sturdy and hand.
some. notwithstanding the SEVENTEEN
birthday which he celebrated last
week. that Il did me good to see him
He was anxious to know how you ara
getting on. and as ! was leaving be
said he had a very fatherly feeling
toward you. and Just as soon a. you
are well enough he intends coming
over 10 give you a good talking "a
about the folly Of signing notes for
people. Don't scowl. Rob. I tell you
this only because think Il almost
funny. As II you didn't know Yors
about that now than he could ever tel
you."
Yes. understand" Kirkland
pressed the hand that lay lightly In
his.
Mrs. Bowers sent her love and {
sox OF tuberoses. left the flowers ir
the hail because know you hate the
odor Of them"
Kirkland made another grimace
His wife continued:
From there ! went downtown to d.
n few errands. I met George Harri,
In the bookstore and he inquired aftel
you. He said he knew you would hav,
courage TO bear illness and financia
loss. He said he didn't know what b,
would do II he should ever have sucl
hard run OF luck. He looked pal,
at the idea Of such fate"
George never was heavyweight.
commented Kirkland. good-naturedly.
Il stopped to speak TO Miss Can
field as was going through Blank
ley's store. You know she Is IN,
woman who sold US the lovely vene
tian lace collar you gave me las
Christmas. She said she had heard O
our 'reverses OF fortune and abe Eel
very sorry for us. Banked her. an,
Just as was going OF she remarked
Well. anyway, Mrs. Kirkland. yol
still have your real laces. That
some comfort That was a consola
ton ! had never thought OF before.
"On the street car coming home
saw Mr.. Bayley. He said solemnll
that he had thought OF us often an'
had intended TO call to express hi
sympathy after a proper period. bu
he supposed that as yet we desire'
to see no one but our most intimate
friends"
Il hope you assured him that va
the case"
Il didn't urge him TO call immed
ately Do you wonder. Rob. that
felt very happy when | got back L
our cory and peaceful home. wher
tiora was M ona 70 ror,fna mn =,