The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1917-06-26
Chapter Cxx

luncheon neither had Myrtle volun-
teered any information concerning
the mysterious something import
ant" further than her remark anent
the musicale. So. when the dessert
had been served. l asked:
Was the musicale all you want
ed TO see me about, Myrtle?"
Il shan't say a word until we have
finished" she said deterninedly.
so II won't do you any good to ask
questions decline TO have my
salad spoiled by discussing either
your affairs or nine
But, Myrtle. Is there really
something the matter-something
wrong"
Nothing that cannot be helped
my dear" she replied; but I noticed
that her eyes didn't meet mine with
her usual frankness, and that her
voice didn't sound quite natural. II
seemed 10 lack In heartiness. or
something
viii you do me a favor" she
asked. as we rose from the table
and made our way 10 her coy sit
ting room.
why, certainly-if can"
Well, promise me to follow my
advice. 10 do as say until you
have proven me TO be In the wrong;
will your"
"Of course I VIII" I laughed
But why all this mystery"
Because l want to help you from
perhaps making a wreck OF your
life; because, Margaret. haven't
been blind TO your unhappiness.
even tho your pride has not allowed
you 10 make me confldant Now
Margaret. tell me. have you thought
you had any real reason TO distrust
Robert. 10 be Jealous OF him? I'm
not asking out OF curiosity. dear"
What should I say' Should I
conhde in Myrtle? These questions
ran swiftly thru my mind and de-
cided that I must know what she
had 10 tell01me. even tho had to
give her my confidence.
How did you know" I queried
II didn't know-about you,
mean. But had a pretty shrewd
idea have watched you when
Robert has been going out. or has
told OF his engagements. and the
misery. the unhappiness in your
eyes have been a revelation 20 me-
"Yes. have been misera BILE, am
miserable, more miserable than you
even suspect. Myrtle" and the food
gates Embossed as | told her of all
the long lonely years when | had
been neglected, left alone. He al.
ways gave business as an excuse
which was seldom. But have been
so sshut out. Myrtle. so absolutely
shut out from him, his interests.
You must remember, Margaret.
that Robert is peculiar man. a pc
culiar type In some ways. He is so
serious. so unlike most men OF his
age; always has been. You can
scarcely Judge him by any fixed
standard"
II haven't. have excused every
thing. Everything, until lately.
have felt could not go on much
longer. Then think OF the chill
dren. and go on waiting-but now
without hope. Now-since she has
Mr.
You mean Phyllis Lawson?"
Yes II seems you do know"
said bitterly.
Yes, ! know! nothing against
Robert, nothing about their friend
ship. But I do know that is what
is worrying you, and n can I mean
to help you"
You are kind. Myrtle. but It is
too late"
"Bosh, IT'S never too late-untIl
they are gone"
My brain whirled. So Myrtle too
thought there was danger. won
dered YEARLY n she really thought
he would 20, or II she was simply
trying me.
IL hate her, I wish she was
dead" / began stormily, outraged in
every fiber OF my being that any
one, even Myrtle, should know and
pity.
Don't Margaret" Myrtle pleaded
"You can't fight this thing-if there
Is anything TO fght-by getting
angry. Now listen to me-
Her peremptory tone apd calm
manner quieted me, and I was glad
to obey
an the first place. dear. I DON,
believe there ia single thing wrong
in Roberts friendship for. Phyllis
Lawson. He likes her probably. is
interested IN her because OF her
cleverness Then she was his
client, you know. You have religi-
ously refused 20 know her. 10 invite
her 10 your house When you meet
her you show your dislike very
plainly-that was one OF the things
which aroused, my suspicion. Don't
misunderstood me. and please do
not be angry when tell you that
don't think you are quite fair 70
Robert. do not believe that a
man OF his colossal. his overpower.
ing ambition Is going TO compro-
mise himself by giving cause for