Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1918-12-18
THE HEART BREAKER
A REAL AMERICAN LOVE STORY
by VIRGINIA TERHUNE VAN DE WATER

what she was doing. L was sure
she was all safe.
A twinge of cempunction assailed
the listener. She could not explain
to this trustful woman how little
she knew fthe inner workings of
her sisters mind. In this case Mrs.
Higgins ignorance meant her in
ward peace, so Honora forbore tc
enlighter her.
IF you did something that I dis
approve of, L might speak to you
of it, in fact, l would speak to you
of it," the matron averred. For
yop have nobody else to look after,
you. But you will always look out
for Milly.." rtI
Then, as Honora only smiled and
said nothing, the widow put a blunt
question:
Don't you think that Arthur
Bruce is in love with Milly?"
Honora caught her breath. "Why
-how-how-should 1 know?" she
stammered trying to laugh. Really,
Mrs. Higgins, this is one of the
things about which he knows more
than either YOU or /, don't you
thiak2 If he cares for Milly. he
will tell her so. Until then, 1 fancy
you and / would be wise to keep
our fingers out of the whole busi-
ness"
A Hard Question
She did not mean to wound the
kindly soul, and was sorry when
! she saw the pale face flush and
heard the brief Excuse mel" that
her remarks called forth.
She hastened to make amends.
Forgive me, dear Mrs. Higgins"
| Ghn hnpnah 1fA fn
| speak impertinently or rudely. Of
course, you are interested in Datb
that concerns US girls. You must
feel almost as If we belonged to
YOU"
II do" The speaker was instant
| ly mollified. "And tha tbs why 1
am hoping that Milly will learn to
| care for Mr.. Arthur. He is such a
nice young man. 1 am always glad
when he comes here, and he comes
very often"
Horora did not remind her that
| for some months Arthurs visits
might have been supposed TO be for
| the older sister quite as much as
for the younger and prettier girl.
| She tried to crush the bitter emo
! ton that arose as she appreciated
that Arthur's attentions were con-
sidered as directed entirely toward
| Mildred.
| But the conversation set her to
| thinking and watching. What she
saw confirmed her in her fears that
| Mildred was encouraging her for
mer suitor.
Perhaps to man who had not
loved the girl-and told her of it
htr actions might not have seemed
ike announcement. But Honora
realized now that Arthur's affections
for her sister had only lain buried
under the ashes of Indifference with
which Mildred had covered them.
And then, one evening when Arthur
stopped in at the Brent house on
his way from the Office, he almost
conftded the truth to his friend and
confidante.
She was alone in the little living
room. Mildred was upstairs chang
ing her dress for the evening. ~
Don't call her." Arthur inter-
fered when Honora started to sum-
mon the younger girl. II don't
want to make a nuisance of myself
to her. l WISH" hesitatingly, that
l might be sure l do not bore her."
"Of course, you do not bore her!"
Honora protested.
For the moment she forgot her
own hurt in pity for this man.
"Ohw he exclaimed. seizing her
hand, what a comfort you are,
Honora' l wish you were my own
sister! There are so many things
troubling me nowadays. There is
business-as 1 told you on the quiet
and then there is well cart
say what! But L wish my future
were certain?"
He stopped abruptly as the door
opened and Mildred Brent entered.
She raised her eyebrows when she
saw that the caller held her sisters
hand. frt
IL hope do not intrude," she
began. Then, seeing the look in
Arthur's eyes as he turned to her,
she smiled with gratified vanity.
II thought perhaps you wanted to
hold Honora's hand for o. while
longer" she teased.
Honora slipped from the room.
She did not believe that Arthur
even noticed her departure.
Later Mildred disabused her mind
of this idea. Arthur life his good
bys for you." she remarked, COM