Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1918-11-27
Chaptcr VII


'Wait-let me think" she COM
manded imperiously.
She did think fast in the few min
utes' silence that followed. Arthur
of the long French windows and
stood liking out into the moonlight,
his back to the lamplit room. His
hands were clasped behind him, and
she could see how white the knuckles
stood out from the surrounding flesh.
/ 1t was evident that he was feeling
keenly. 1t flattered Mildred Brent
that this was so.
He certainly was a stunning figure,
she reflected, as she watched him.
Could she learn to love him? She
had always liked him. He was the
kind of man that most girls and
women admire.
Tall, fair, with blue eyes and light,
curly hair, he was good to look at.
He had sort of dash that impressed
one, and a frank manner that won
him friends. He possessed the subtle
quality of personal magnetism to a
marked degree.
Then why could she not accept
him? the girl mused. He was an
agreeable companion, his father and
mother We're in excellent society;
Mr.. Bruce, senior, was a prosperous
businessman: Arthur would succeed
to his business, for lie was an only
child. He had money enough to
support a wife comfortably, even
luXuriously. Yet the thought of
marrying him. left her cold.
And as she mused she determined
suddenly to speak frankly to this
man. Her vanity was flattered, yet
she would not play with him any
longer. She had had the satisfac-
ton of hearing his declaration of
affection. She did not want the
constantly. Besides, his persistent
attentions would deter other men
from taking her about and doing
things for her.
Arthur" she said at last.
He turned sharply and strode back
to her.
"Yes?"
His face was white and his eyes
anxious. She was shallow and vain,
but not entirely cold-hearted, and
she felt an unexpected pang of COM
passion for him.
a Refusal
Arthur" she said, II am sorry
really / am | do like you very
much. If you went entirely out of
my life l would miss you. But
somehow I'can love YOU"
The man did not reply. only looked
at her dumbly. She remembered
suddenly Young Hilton, as he had
stood befofzA her yesterday, eager
and compeHDg. The contrast be-
tween him and this unhappy suitor
made her speak out her thought.
Il wonder, Arthur, if you were to
do something mean if you would
really attack some big thing and
make good-if L would feel differ
emily?
She was so pretty and dainty.
Arthur Bruce wanted her more than
he had ever wanted anything before.
"You mean" he asked hoarsely,
that if L would get down to brass
tacks and hustled to make my bread
and butter you would care more for
me than you do now?"
Il don't know" she parried. II
don't quite understand my own feel
ings about YOU"
II start in at hard work to-mor-
row, Mildred" he reminded her. II
know you are right about me. I've
been out of college long enough to
be making something of myself. and
/ have loafed all summer. Is that
the trouble?'
II don't know" she said again.
But" with sudden decision, Il do
know that | do not love you Arthur"
She could not guess how her words
hurt him. He was not the kind OF
man to beg her to reconsider her
verdict. lie only drew long breath
and said: "ery Nwell, Mildred, |
understand"
IIonOra Deceived
Then he began to talk of other
matters. 1t was as If he had sud-
denly become a man of the world.
She was surprised and little dis
appointed in his abrupt change of
manner. She did not understand
him well enough to know that. now
that he had received his answer, he
would scorn to complain and whine
| like weak and sentimental school
boy.
| So it was that when Honora Brent
and Mrs. Higgins returned from
church they found Arthur Bruce
! and Mildred discussing the football
games to be played by the various
colleges during the fall months.
The older sister decided that she
had been mistaken in thinking that
! Arthur was going to declare his love
| to Mildred this evening. Matters
were evidently just where they were
! last evening.
She was conscious of a sensation
of relief. 1t was almost of If a re-
prieve had been granted her,
/ She hated herself for this feeling.
She was silent while the others
talked. She was trying to persuade
herself that shes only imagined she
felt relieved
! IL Arthur loved Mildred, and of
he did.--and II Mildred cared