The Detroit times., 1917-04-10


II could But the only way can
help you IL by being the very good
frieDd | want 10 me. and so keep
YOU from the loneliness that Is
yours"
Had I been older should have
perhaps understood his specious
Arguments. But I was young. sore
and suspicious. Jealous and misera-
BILE. So ! listened And when a
woman listens under like eircum.
stances. she IA either wholly. OF In
part convinced.
Il shall be-very glad TO have You
for s-friend" | hnally answered
slowly. You have seen that need
one" The last bitterly.
Il have Known that YOU needed
one for long time" and IN that
short sentence Harper Carleton
did more TO win me e him than any
protestation OF friendship or love
could possibly have done.
He was sorry for me. and II he.
why not others? lad always been
intensely proud. That people should
pity me was unbearsble SO ]
laughed and gave him my hand
Here's TO friendship" | cried.
AZ he drew me toward him and then
as pulled away. kissed my hand
ITO our friendship he repeated.
Chapter w.
The next day when Robert came
home he remarked
Il just met DIT. Adler. and he
says Mrs. Carlton is very IN. pneu-
monia, He is doubtful as to her re.
covery"
was shocked Had Harper
Carleton realized his wife was al
III when we were walking in n .
park
How long has she been sick" |
asked. then waited breathlessly Tor
the answer. Did the doctor tell
YOU"
Yes, not seriously until TODAY
She has had a hard cold, and hasn Z
taken proper care OF herself These
suddenly severe cases are hard 10
handle
All day was restless FELT
guilty. tho could not have ex
planned why. looked at the even
iEg paper the moment IL was
thrown on the stoop. had been
watching for H. To my relief there
was no mention OF Mrs. Carleton.
When Robert came home asked
II be had heard anything further Of
Mrs Carleton.
NO. he answered, and thought
he seemed surprised at the interest
had shown. II imagine she must
be getting along ali right"
But she wasn't for the very neat
morning the first thing when I
opened the paper l saw an ar
nouncement OF her death. bad
intended 10 call up immediately
after breakfast and inquire for
her; instead now called up q
florist and left an order for some
flowers.
SO now Harper Carleton. the man
who wanted TO be my friend. was a
widower. found myself thinkins
often Of him and what the loss Of
his wife would mean 10 that friend.
ship, Robert and ! both went 10
the services: the interment was in
a distant city.
can truly say that there was
nothing at this time with which "a
condemn myself In my feeling for
Harper Carleton. I had no faintest
idea OF ever being moro to HIM than
] now was. nor OF his being more
&C me. Yet he occupied my thoughts
more constantly than perhaps
realized, entered more into my
scheme OF things than ! Was aware
A short time afterward In thu
shining lateness OF the afternoon.
returned from a call on Mrs. Mul
hsny. A great friendship haf
grown up between US. and Rober'
was delighted OF a. started NJ
the steps Just as a man turned e
come down. | paused. startled. Tho
dark eyes OF Harper Carleton gSzod
down a. me
made the rest OF nv way up
surprised. and = little BIT friEhtenc !
at the wave OF slsdness that rushed
over me
when did YOU return? How 10