Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1918-12-21
CHAPTER XVII

copyright, 1918. star Company
One afternoon several days after
Mildred had told her sister of Tom
Chambers return to Fairlands, Hon
ora Brent came home from the office
sooner than was her custom.
1t had been one of those unseason-
ably warm days that come sometimes
in early spring. Even her employer
had been affected by the sudden
change in the weather and had left
his office at o'clock. advising his Sec
retary to do likewise.
Don't stay after you have finished
those letters. Miss Brent" he had sug-
gested kindly.
When Honora reached her own
house and opened the front door. Mrs.
Higgins hurried downstairs to speak
to her.
The widows usually placid demean-
or was ruffled and she grasped yell
low envelope in a tremulous hand.
"Oh, my DEAR" she exclaimed. "I
em so glad you have come! My Sis
ter-Mrs. Wilkinson, you KNOWS i'll
in Hartford They have telegraphed
for me-
"Ytou must sgo at once" Honora de-
clared promptly.
81 suppose So" the older woman
hesitated. But it's Katie's afternoon
and evening out. l don't know what
to do. l can't leave you poor chill
6ren-''
Poor childrenw scoffed the girl.
What nonsense! We are able to
keep ourselves from starving or freez-
ing, 1 should think. AS to to-night's
dinner, If we can't get that for our
selves, we deserve to go hungry. You
must start at once, Mrs. Higgins. If
Mildred and are able to earn our
own living, we should be equal to
keeping house for a while. Have you
packed your bags?"
NO." faltered the matron. "I did
not know whether"
Honora Helps Her
well, 1 know" Honora cut her
short. Come upstairs now and 1 will
help you. First let me telephone for
a taxi. You can catch the 5.22 train
IL we hurry"
Under the older woman's agitated
directions the girl packed a suitcase,
helped her adjust her bonnet and don
her coSt, then saw her, still murmur-
ing regrets, into the cab.
"Stay away Just as long as you
wish to-" Honora advised. Drop us
line when you can and tell us how
Mrs. Wilkinson is. I'm sure her ILL
ness isn't anything very serious.
Good-by, dear"
The cab rolled away and Honora re-
turned to the porch. Here she sank
into a chair and smiled affectionately
at the memory of the hustle and furry
that had pervaded the house for the
past half-hour.
Then her thoughts wandered to
more personal matters. and she sat
still, watching the late sunlight die
away from the budding treetops across
the street. A mans voice reused her
from her self-absorption.
"A penny for your thoughts"
Arthur Bruce came up the walk
laughing.
"I spoke three times" he accused
"but you were so wrapped UP in your
own reflections that you never heard
me at all. I was about to go away
| with my hurt feelings, believing that
you had decided to break off all asso-
citation with me. Then I thought pet
! ter of 1t. What were you dreaming
about?"
Honora smiled. She could not all
nit that the object of her reverie
stood before her, his head bare, hold
ing out his hand in greeting.
won't you sit DOWN." she asked.
"Thanksp' He leaned back in. 4
chair with a sigh of comfort. at Is
, good to be resting" he added. "I'vC
been working hard all day and have
not had time to loaf since got VI
this morning-though probably yor
| won't believe that"
They chatted for few minutes be.
fore he put the question: that in hel
heart she had hoped he might omit.
where is Mildred-still at the of.
| fice?" l.
YES" she replied curtly. Then