The Washington times., 1918-12-30
The Heart Breaker
A REAL AMERICAN LOVE STORY
HOnOra Sees Her Little Sister Being
Kissed by Tom Chandler and
Asks the Girl Blunt Question

difference" Honora tried to speak
I lightly. "You/know what you are
doing. But ! rather wish you
were not TO be seen alone in pub
lie with NTom Chandler. Still, we
have threshed that all out too
often to renew the discussion now
IL you want to encourage his at
tenttons, why, you will do sc.
suppose"
Mildred shrugged her shoulders.
Hes a good sport" she affirmed.
And so am ]. Therefore, / mean
TO get all the fun that comes my
way"
Honora steadied her voice before
askfng-"whst about Arthur"
wen, what about Arthur" the
other parFied.
do you stin like bin better
than Tom?"
81 am trying them both out" was
the Jocose reply. "Oh, don't fuss,
Honora! 1 have them both where
I want them. 1 can," with a tri-
umphant toss of the head, have
either OF them / want. know I
stand first with them both"
Honora remembered this conyer-
sation that evening as she sat in
the library awaiting her sisters
return. 1t was almost IL o'clock.
The weather was still very mild,
and Milly and Tom had probably
walked up from the theater by a
roundabout route. MiIly had said
that they preferred going on foot
tonight rather in a car.
They could thus have a longer
period for sentimental talking.
Honora reflected impatiently. She
wished that Mildred would marry
somebody soon. She was getting to
be more and more law unto her
self.
The older sIstetSlaid down the
book she had been reading all the
evening and went into the darken-
ed living room. She was too ner-
vous to read any longer.
An UnexPeeted Sight.
Seating herself by an open win
dow, she leaned back in a great
chair and, in spite OF her anxiety,
found herself becoming drowsy.
Closing her eyes she let her
thoughts drift aimlessIy. She did
not know that she had fallen asleep
until footsteps on the veranda star
tied her wide awake
Peering out, she saw a couple
standing at the top OF the steps.
The screen of vines on the veranda
hid them from the street, but not
from the observer at the window.
As Honora looked she saw Tom
Chandler gather her little sister to
his breast and kiss her passionate
l. again and again
Honora caught her breath in hor-
rifed amazement. Then Milly and
Tom were engaged, II not, Miily
would strike him, order him away,
rush from him into the house.
But, instead, Mildred laughed
softly as the man released her.
Naughty boy" she chided. You
knocked my hat all crooked"
Honora waited to hear no more.
She felt like an eavesdropper. She
Was also frightened - horribly
frightened. That her fear was at
something intangible made it no
less gripping.
Running out into the hall she
ilung open the front door. AS she
did so the pair on the veranda were
just speaking their good-nights.
by the hall light Honora could
see that the mans face was flushed.
young people were laughing.
Good evening, Miss HOnora'"
Tom greeted her with mock for
mality Il return your sister TO
you safe and sound. We've had a
delightful evening. That show we
went 70 is.weIl worth seeing"
wont you come in?" Mildred
suggested.
"Oh, no. thank you! II is TOO
late. Good-n. ght!'
When he had gone and the sis
tiers were facing each other in the
hall. Honora asked a blunt question.
"MiIIy. are you engaged to Tom
Chandler
The girl colOred even more deep
Iy than before. 81 can be II want
to be-" she bocsted. But l must
think Il over. But. HoEors, he GER
tainly is smitten with me. He told
me that there is not another girl
in the world that he gives a hands
turn for. He says / have spoiled
other girls for him-he finds them
so different from me. ! may end by
caring for Eim-who knows?'
IT, n. ronffrfuRdl