The Detroit times., 1917-06-14
Chapter CYL


on those things But she has never
seemed reckless. OF lnconsiderate
in her speech. and she surely is
different She laughed "A great deal
when saw her. but thought BE-
mirthlcss sort Of laugh. very un.
like her former joyous one
She came alone and only re-
manned a couple OF days Tod was
TOO busy 20 leave she said when
asked about him
III ne were IT, was the frst time %
told Myrtle. who vas as puzzled
as was over Holland changed
manner.
Il shall not be home until late
tonight" Robert remarked "Hol.
land wishes to consult me about
something. and as haven't mo-
ment disengared during the day J.
shall take her 10 dinner and see
what she wants
Il will ask her 10 dinner here.
Robert Then you can talk as long
as you like replied. hurt and dis
tressed by the cool way in which ]
was left out OF his plans
That wouldn't do "a all She
may have business she does not
care 10 have any one else know
and then, too, here We are liable
to interruptions
Il will efface myself after din
ner." protested "Yon surely can
talk AS well here in the library as
in public restaurant
Il shall not be at home, Robert
answered. with the air OF dnality
that always so exasPerated me 81
am sorry ! mentioned the fact o.
dining with her you are so unrea
sonable Il is business matter
and YOU. II YOU were wise, would
treat it As such
felt like crying that ! was not
wise. that I was only silly loving
woman thrown back upon herself
by his coolness But swiftly the
story Myrtle had told me came into
my mind. and replied lightly
oh. was only thinking OF you
That il would be easier
Thank YOU FOR the thought he
answered in a different tone. but
my way is best We may have 10
go 70 the ONCE after dinner You
know ! am in the dark as to Why
she wishes 10 see me
said nothing more and he soon
went out But I could not help
wondering IL he would tell me what
Holland wanted made up my
mind 10 follow Mrs Mulhanys ad-
vice. and "a try to-coax his conf
dence instead OF endeayoring TO
compel g.
All the time I felt sure he would
tell me nothing
II was long after midnight when
he same in. | had waited mp for
him. reading late magazine
asked no questions. neither did he
volunteer any information as TO
what Holland wanted TO see him
about
AZ breakfast the next morning he
said TO me-
Hollands going back 10 New
York tonight SO IL YOU wish 90
see her again you VIII have 20 go
over to Myrtle's this afternoon. Hol-
land will be busy this morning
'1'n go right after luncheon III
take the children She used TO be
very fond OF them" ! replied hop.
inE he would be pleased. and ten
me something about her business
with him.
yes. do, II will please Holland
and do the kids good Bruce isn't
picking mp as wish he was. and
his face took on the worried look
that any mention OF Bruces deli
cate health always evoked
q do not think nc is any worse
do your asked anxlously, every
thing else forgotten for the mo
mcnt
NO. don't think So" Robert
answered slowly but there Is no
such thing IN this world as stand
Ing still n he isn't improving IT
stands TO reason he IS losing
strength"
"But have you noticed how rap
idly he IS growing He is much
taller than most boys his age
know by the clothes | have 10 buy
for him. That takes his strength"
Perhaps But give him long
ride into the country after you make
your call II Will be- good for him
Don't keep him out after shutdown.
tho"
watched his tall handsome form
until he was out OF watched
Il with thrill OF pride. Then re.
membcrcd lie had left without
telling me anything ~ Holland 5
reason for keeping him out until
midnight. part of which time ! was
sure had been spent in the solitude
Of an ONCE in building practically
closed for the night
oh. why did ] always think Of
such things? wondered as ]
turned from the window Was &C.
because ! had an unusually sus
piclous mind2
In the afternoon ! made nv call
on Holland. but in spite of an ]