The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1917-10-12

come between us, ETC., etc. Don't you
seeT -.
Lane did not exactly see, but he
promised to try.
He called on Mrs. Wood about two
days after this for the express purpose
OF making good his promise. But
somehow or other he failed to switch
the subject around to the proper angle
Of attack, and came away without hav-
Ing accomplished his mission. How
ever he determined to try again. Sew
eral other attempts followed without
having screwed his courage up to the
sticking point. He began to feel like a
traitor to Doris. But then he temper
lied with his conscience by reasoning
that before one could NEEDLE with such
delicate subject he must be tolerably
well acquainted with the person to be
argued with. He concluded It was his
duty to make his ground safe by cult
waiting a closer acquaintance. In pur-
suance Of this laudible object, Lane
was one evening distinctly surprised
by sudden strange turn of the con-
versatiOn started by Mrs. Wood. She
began to speak Of Doris and John
Winter.
81 had always thought them an ideal
ly happy couple; but" Here she
paused as though unable to go on, then
looked questioningly at Lane as though
he might supply the break. This was
certainly his golden opportunity to
make good his promise to Doris. But
instead he preferred to let the lady
go on In the hope that he might learn
just how far matters had progressed
between the lady and Mr.. John Winter.
But she continued to look at him with
out speaking until he broke the en-
barrassing silence by saying: "Well-
why don't you go onp"
81 thought you would perhaps spare
me the unpleasantness Of going on"
she said.
Lane thoroughly mystif1ed and mis-
cradle, must have expressed his state
him moment she went on: "DO you
mean, Mr.. Lane, that you do not I'M
derstand me?"
81 must say don't quite compre-
bend your meaning" he said.
swell, then, 1 suppose 1 must come
out plainly. Your attentions to Doris
Winter are the talk Of everyone. John
Winter is intensely miserable over 1t
all. He hates to speak to Doris about
1t. He is q man of such fine standards,
so high minded and delicately fibered
he cannot bear to have her think he
suspects her Of disloyalty to him, but
he is utterly miserable. I am very sor-
ry for him, and he has in a way taken
me into his confidence, and have told
him I would do what I could to find
out the true state Of affairs"
Lane was at first too stunned by this
revelation to see the fine humor of the
situation. When he did it was with
some difficulty he restrained himself
from unseemly laughter.
"Why," he exclaimed, "there has
never been anything between Doris
and me but an old friendship which be-
gan long before she was married. 1t
has always been as perfectly harmless
as Sunday school lesson"
Here Lane gave vent to his pent-up
mirth and laughed.
"It may seem harmless to you" she
said gravely, "but 1t Is likely to have
serious consequences If you persist In
this harmless friendship Besides, I
can't see how you can laugh over some
thing that may wreck the happiness Of
two people"
II am not laughing at that-not for
one moment" he said. 'If I thought
there was any danger of me taking a
hand at coming between husband
and wife 1 should desist on the instant.
But you see was so taken by surprise
l was sort of-of habbergasted."
SWELL" said Mrs. Wood, 81 must say
you have greatly relieved my mind. I
think l must believe you will, as you
say, 'desist' from stirring up further
trouble in the Winter family"
YES" he rejoined, 81 think the win
ter of my discomfort is o'er," and he
laughed again.
Mrs. Winter was distinctly dis
pleased at his taking the affair so
lightly, and she showed 1t in her face
and more plainly. In her tone when she
spoke.
II must say fail to see the laugh
able side Of this"
81 guess" replied Lane, I'm rather
driven to explain. hope, then, you'll
see where the laugh comes in. From
Doris point Of view it was you who
were breaking up the family"
'T!" cried Mrs. Wood. 81 breaking
up the family? Whoever thought of
such thingT
"Doris did. She feared her husband
had begun to transfer all his affections
to you. She really loves him, you know,
and the prospect of losing him was
breaking her heart"
"For heavens sakei What an idea
Why, John Winter Is so wrapped up In
Doris he never dreamed Of falling In
love with me. He Just wanted to talk
1t over with RE for help and SYM
pathy. AS for me falling In love with
him, why, might just as soon get
sentimental over my own brother. Poor