The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1917-04-09


yCus"
Yes. not seriously until today
She has had a hard cold. and hasn'i
taken proper care OF herself. These
suddenly severe cases are hard TO
handle"
All day was restless I felt
guilty. tho could not have ex.
planned Why. looked at the even
ing paper the moment Il was
thrown on the stoop. I had been
watching for II. To my relief there
was no mention Of Mrs Carleton
When Robert came home I asked
II he had heard anything further OF
Mrs. Carleton.
NO" he answered. and thought
he seemed surprised at the interest
I had shown. Il imagine she must
be getting along all right"
But she wasn't for the very neat
morning the nrst thing when
opened the paper ] saw an ar
nounoement Of her death. had
intended 20 call up Immediately
after breakfast and inquire fo-
her: instead now called up n
florist and left an order for some
flowers
So now Harper Carleton. the man
who wanted to be my friend, Was
widover. found myself thinking
often Of him and what the loss of
his wife would mean 10 that friend
ship. Robert and both went TO
the services; the intermeut was in
q distant city
can truly say that there was
nothing at this time with which 10
condemn myself In my feeling for
Harper Carleton I had no faintest
idea OF ever being more to him than
now was. nor Of bis being more
itc me. Yet he occupied my thoughts
more constantly than perhaps
realized. entered more into nv
scheme Of things than I WAS aware.
A short time afterward in the
shining isteDess OF the afternoon I
returned from a call on Mrs. Mul-
hany. A great friendship had
grown up between US. and Robert
was delighted OF a. I started up
the steps Just "a a man turned TO
come down. paused. startled The
dark eyes OF Harper Carleton gazed
down al me
I made the rest OF my way M
, surprised. and a little BIT frightened
At the wave OF gladness that rushed
over me
When did you return? How 40
you do asked namely. as took
his outstretched hand
, II cane back about a week ago "
He made no apology for comirE
to see me so soon was glad tha,
, he did not.
Wont YOU come in" had
opened the door with my latch key,
mo. thank you. n IL late !
called once before. earlier In the
afternoon will call soon. how.
ever. II may"
When went in Matilda met me
with a box Of orchids.
b MFR. Carleton left them ma'am
Shall arrange them -
NO. ! viii attend TO them my.
self" answered. taking the box
. from her
went directly 70 my room. IA
7 lifted the delicate blooms from
The box 7 thought bitterly Of how
long II had been since Robert bad
brought me any flowers. And az I
arranged them I wondered what he
would think OF my accepting them
from Harper Carleton. But might
have saved myself the trouble. for
about an hour afterward mes.
senger boy came with a note from
him saying that he was called away
or business and might be away a
day or two. He asked me 10 pack
his bag and give Il 10 the boy.
with a heart fnll Of bitterness I
put the necessary articles in his
bag. AS laid them in one after
another I thought OF the curt note.
Not one word OF regret AZ leaving
me and the children. no word Of
farewell Just note he might
have written 10 Matilda instead Of
10 me.
wondered n the business which
was taking him away had anything
10 do with Phyllis LAWSON. n she
was 80 in his mind that Il excluded
all thought OF me and the children
! tormented myself with the thought
that perhaps she was going with
him. ! had become obsessed with
the idea that she was 10 prove nv
ncmesis-and perhaps Roberts.
The orchids had faded. still kent
them In q vase on the living room
table. when the second day after
Robert went away Harper Carleton
aEain called
Here ~ least was one man who
appreciated me This knovledra
was a balm 10 my wounded pride
my lonely soul He a. once noticed
! the faded flowers and laaghinKiy