The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1917-06-16
chaptsr e.

l. once knew Woulah VINO Nho
constantly bemoaning her lot. al
tho II was one many enyied. She
xas "a successful writer, as success
was measured. She earned sal
airy many men would have enHed,
and had absolutely no one 90 inter
fere with her or her plans. Yet she
would weep Historically, threaten TO
do away with herself because she
wanted the love and attention SHE
did not have,
Most OF us who knew her laughed
al her foolish talk and actions. But
now. as | thought OF her, | knew
that. should allow myself, ! could
weep rs Historically, act as fool
ishly.
But neither father nor Bruce
would listen 10 any complaints or
Robert and thought me silly when
told them OF my loneliness. Bruce
had considered me unwifely.
knew this. altho he had not said II
in so many words.
For months Robert had continued
10 leave me much alone. II I en-
tertained he really made an effort
TO be at home, but he was SO un-
certain that | dared not ask people
until had made sure he had no
positive engagement. Even then no
sometimes disappointed me. When
we were invited ont he usually ac-
companied me and then came for
me II he did not remain. He insist
I'd ] should 90 without him II II
were impossible FOR him to accept.
one place he never refused TO go.
That was to Mrs Mulhanys lie
and Tim. were more intimate than
ever, and politics, as usual, was the
subject they discussed
II was nearing spring. The win
ter had been long and duh. broken
only by short visit from father
and Helen AZ Christmas, and from
Philip a little later Much 10 Rob
ert's disappointment Bruce had been
unable 10 get away lie was soon
10 be married and father laughing
~. but approvingiy told us that
Bruce was working like Tro-
jan"
had had a very combining win
ter. Bruce remained very delicate
and fretted when | left him. The
consequence was that in spite OF
Roberts objections to my 40 hous-
ing myself went out but little.
Had II not been for Myrtle Cald-
well and Harper Carleton should
have been lonely indeed.
But had I known that my foolish
ness in receiving Harper Carleton,
in accepting his gifts-simple tho
they were-was TO bring me such
remorse. such adherence OF myself.
| should have hesitated long before
doing anything TO give him the right
70 say what he did.
still accepted him as my very
good friend. as he had promised he
would be.
Then one day my little house OF
cards tumbled about my ears. and
| saw Just how foolish. Just how sell
fish had been in taking Harper
Cartoons platonic friendship for
granted. and in thinking it could
continue.
Then too, suddenly realized how
wrong | had been to allow him to
waste his time. his thoughts. his
love. on a married woman who was
too conventional And I felt the
more guilty. knowing that | was too
fond OF my children. and the hidden
love I bore for Robert. 10 consider
him in the light OF anything but
friend for moment
But how he crushed my pride.
One day Harper called was
alone Martha had taken the chill
dren out for a walk His arms went
about me suddenly. and he drew me
close Fhen, before had time to
object TO his caress he pushed me
almost violently away, and looked
into my eyes with fame in his
own which scorchcd me, before he
exclaimed
Margaret. IN heavens name don't
make IL so hard for me. for both lof
us. love you better than anything
on earth. better than myself I'm
starved for you. dear, starved and
thirsted like man on desert isl.
and. love you. dear. love you"
"But-oh--I didn't mean falt-
cred. covering my face. was SO
ashamed. SO insulted in my woman
hood, and yet knew | had no right