Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1918-06-03

But you will spend some time with
me, won't you9 If you only knew how
l needed you-knew what awful things
l have been saying and doing this past
week or two-you surely stay with
mel"
Open Confession.
"What have you done that is so ter
rible?" she asked smiling, "Open con-
fession, they say, is good for the soul
SO l II invite myself to lunch with you
while you tell me all about it,
"Oh, that will be fine!" exclaimed
really delighted. George will not be iD
to luncheon; he has gone yachting"
"Why didn't you go9" She looked
keenly at me.
"Mal-de-mer. +"
"Surely good reason. 1t certainly
spoils the day for others, as well as
for yourself" she remarked; then ask
ed me to tell her about the time l was
so i'll.
I told her of my day on the yacht.
And, before knew il, I was also tell
ing her of my dislike for Julia Collins
how it had increased, and how she
seemed to snaer at me,whenever / was
where she was. ~
"You do not look well. / am afraid
you are letting these things make you
unhappy-that you attach too much i'm
portance to them"
"I honestly try not to. But it is
hard"
/ know. But, my dear Mrs. Howard,
in fashionable life much is said and
done which. means absolutely nothing
things which if done in the atmos-
phere in which you were brought up,
would have sinister meaning. I wish
you would rid yourself of that idea of
your own incapability; it makes you
sensitive, and unable to cope with sit
uations which you would dismiss as
amounting to nothing, if you had more
confidence in yourself.
81 try to feel differently. I guess, if
| had husband who WASH t so wise, l
would do better" Yet / knew 1 was
proud of him, his poise, his tact. Mrs.
Sexton also knew it, so l could talk
freely to her
Merton Clay Calls.
l had had my last sitting some days
before, and afterward had seen nothing
of Merton Gray, until one afternoon he
called. / was alone, and glad Of COM
pany. | had been strumming the piano
in our tiny parlor, and when he was an
nouneed / was so pleased to see him,
that l showed my pleasure very plainly.
81 thought you had forgotten me, l
said.
"No, indeed. l have missed you sad
ly, and | have felt, at time, like destroy
ing the portrait so | could commence
another one."
This foolish nonsense affected me
strangely; someone caredl 1 felt the
blood rise to my face, and thrill of
gladness ran thru me.
'"That would be silly" 1 retorted,
then added: ~ am honestly delighted
to see you. was little blue Mr.. How
ard has gone yachting and 1 dread be-
ing alone"
"Why didn't you got" 1t was the
same question Mrs. Sexton had asked, l
gave the the same answer.
Unfortunately, | am not good
sailor. ;"
'That's too bad. If you 90 often you
may overcome it,"
No thank you'll I prefer to stay on
shore. You see, make a nuisance of
myself, as well as suffer tortures."
~ wish you would play for me, ,"
Merton said, after we had ehatted al
while.
" Certainly" ! replied, and for near
ly an hour played and sang for him.
How can you complain of being
lonely when you have your musief"
he said as arose from the piano.
sit is a great help, but l guess 1
like folks better than most girls. | was
brought up with them, you know-real
people,"
''I understand. "
That was one nice thing about Merton
Sray. He ALWAYS understood.