The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1916-11-23
&
ON THE ROAD I'd ERADDOCK|
BY SUSAN LANGETT.

business would detain him in town
and handed his car over to Lawrence
Brooke, who was not pleased with
the turn of events. He and the girl
who was to have been the fourth in
Grahames car were in trouble, and
when it comes to taking 6O-mile
drive with an iceberg sitting beside
one it is not surprising that Brooke
was in a state of nina not deScribable.
AS for the girl-what she thought was
not evident. But she had whitened
suddenly when Dorothy's message
reached them.
The situation was awkward, but it
was carried off by the girl, who seat
ed herself beside Lawrence and spared
no pains to make general talk. This
she could do, for she was more than
a girl. She was n woman who had
Travelled and read extensively and had
the fortunate gift of being agreeable
without touching upon the personal.
When it is known that the misunder-
derstanding between the two had re-
suited in the breaking of their en-
gagement it will be seen that it re-
CURED both pride and tact for her to
keep to her policy of treating the man
beside her as a newly acquired ac-
| quaintance to whom she was making
herself entertaining.
Finally anger held him in an iron
! grip. That she could ignOre-he so in
different to past RELATIONSHIPS beyond
his understanding, but he was deter
mined to know the reason back of the
letter he had received from her.
1t was coldly Worded letter and
gave no explanation as to why she
broke with him. She had merely
stated the bald fact that she had
changed her mind.
IF she thinks she can keep the con-
versatiOn in her hands until we reach
Braddock she is mistaken" he told
himself grimly.
The talk became spasmodic, faltered,
then ceased altogether. Then he spoke
to her.
Il have been wondering, Mary, how
|
wondering when you would sense the
fact there was something of infinite
ly more Importance than this trip you
have been telling me about. No doubt
it was interesting, but the important
topic to me just now is ourselves. /
cannot follow the intrlcacies Of your
woman's mind and l have sought in
vain for an explanation Of the letter
you sent me. You did not answer my
note, refused to see me. l want to
know the reason you broke with me,
and be sure, Mary, that win know the
real reason, not a make-beleye one.
There must have been a powerful one
back of it. What was it?"
AS she did not reply, he drove to
the side of the road and stopped the
car. 1t was then he caught a glimpse
of her quickly averted face. The sight
softened him, but did not alter his
determination to reach mn understand
ing. Before he again spoke She said i:
Il should have told you, Lawrence
but I could not. Even now it is diff
|
Mrs. Endicott do you not, a Mrs.
Charles Endicott of Eoston1"
"Wel?"
"She called upon me some days ago.
She had little child with her-a
very handsome boy. She told me his
name was Lawrence Brooke and that
his mother was alive"
"Still, l don't see" he began per-
picked. Then his face whltencd.
II understand, Mary" His voice was
harsh. "But don't you think it would
have been better to have come to me?'
"She showed me letters-a marriage
certificate"
For some minutes he did not speak.
Then he slipped his hand into an in
side pocket ana Withdrew a letter.
Il do not know how Mrs. EuGicott
came into possession Of the paper you
mention or the letter, but this one is
from the boys mother. Before you
read it / must tell you there are sew
eral men bearing my name. The
| father of the child is the black sheep
of the Brooke family. / do not
often speak of him, but this comes too
close to me. Lawrence deserted his
wife three years ago. | have Just Sc
cured her freedom. hope you win be
friends with her, Mary for She has
need of friends. win you read her
letter? 1t mentions you"
1t was a short letter, but came from
the heart of q woman who had seen
deep trouble. AT the last she wrote:
"You must bring her TO see me, Law
renee, that sweetheart Of yours. | can
hardly wait until then. You have told
me so much of her that my friendli-
ness stretches out until / feel that she
must feel it. | do so hope for her
friendship"
IL feel as she does, Mary. / cannot
wait. Let us turn back. We are too
late for lunch with the crowd. | will
get you something to eat later on.
Meantime, we are going to stop In
Rockville"
"Why Rockyille2' she questioned.
ut Is the Gretna Green Of Maryland,
and am going to run away with you,'
he answered lightly.
"Very we'll" she said soberly. II
have had week Of misery. ] am
now ready for taste Of happiness"
Copyright, 1916 by the Mcclure Newspa-
per SyndieateJ