The Hope pioneer. [volume] (Hope, N.D.) 1882-1964, 1919-09-11

were way back in freshman year. I can
see now how boyish in many ways I was
then. l believe what has changed me as
much as anything was my visit home at
the time met you. So sit here with
faithful briar and dream the old
dreams over as 1t we're. dreaming of the
waltzes we waltzed together and of that
last night before we parted, and you told
ME the good news you were going to live
there, and 1 would find my friend waiting
for me when I get home next summer.
I will be glad my friend will be waiting
for me. I an not capable of friendship
except for the very few. and. looking back
over my life. I remember there were times
when I doubted IL I could feel a great
friendship for anybody-especially girls.
Here in the old place l do not believe in
being NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. with every
Tom. Dick and Harry just because he
happens to be a classmate any more than
I do at home. where I have always been
careful who I was seen with. largely on
account of the family, but also because
my disposition ever since my boyhood has
been to encourage real intimacy from but
the few.
From several letters from my mother,
and one from Aunt Fanny I hear you are
seeing u good deal of the family since I
left. I hope sometimes you think of the
member who Is absent. l got Il silver
frame for your photograph in New York,
and l keep 1t on my desk. 1t Is. the only
girls photograph I ever took the trouble
to ave framed. though. as 1 told you
frankly. I have had any number of other
girls photographs. yet all were only pass
ing %fancies. and oftentimes 1 lave ques-
toned in years past If I was capable of
much friendship toward the eminin sex,
which I usually found shallow until our
own friendship began. When l look at
your photograph I say to myself, Eat
Ia rot at loot horo 10 nno that yrfn mt
| prove shallow"
Friend, this is from your friend.
G. A. NJ.
Georges anticipations were not dis
appointed. When he came home in
June his friend was awaiting him; Mt
least she was so pleased to see him
again that for a few minutes after
their first encounter she was a little
breathless and a great deal glowing,
and quiet withal.
Lucy and her father were living ut
the ANDERSON hotel, while Morgan got
his small machine shops built in a
western outskirt of the town; and
George grumblcd about the shabbi-
ness and the o~ld-fashioned look of the
hotel, though it was "still the best in
the place, of course" He remon-
strated with his grandfather, declar-
ing that the whole Anderson Estate
would be getting "run down and out
at heel If things weren't taken in
hand pretty soon." He urged the
general need of rebuilding, renovat-
ing, vanishing and lawsuits. But the
Major, declining to hear him out, in
terrupted ENORMOUSLY, saying that he
had enough to bother him without any
advice from George; and retired to
his library, going SO far as to lock
the door audibly.
"Second childhood!" George NUT
tered, shaking his head; and he
thought sadly that the Major had not
long to live. However, this surmise
depressed him for only a moment or
so. OF curse people couldn't be ex-
pected to live forever, and 1t would
be q good thing to have someone in
charge of the Estate who wouldn't
let it get to looking so rusty that riff
raft dared to make fun Of it. For
George had lately undergone the an
noyance of calling upon the Morgans,
in the rather stuffy red velours and
gilt parlor Of their apartment at the
hotel, n evening when Mr.. Fred
erick Kinney also "a a caller, and
Mr.. Kinney had not been tactful. In
fact, though he adopted a humorous
tone of voice in expressing sympathy
for people who. through the city's
poverty in hotels, were obliged to
stay at the Anderson, Mr.. Kinney's
intention was interpreted by the
other visitor as not ut all humorous,
but, on the contrary, personal and Of
| fensive.
George rose abruptly, his face the
color Of wrath. "Good night, Miss
Morgan. Good night, Mr.. Morgan. I
shall take pleasure in calling at some
other time when a more courteous
sort Of people may be present"
"Look here" the hot-headed Fred
burst out. "Don't you try to make me
out a boor. George Minafer! 1 wasn't
limiting anything at you; L simply for
| got all about your grandfather own
ing this old building. Don't you try
| to put me in the light Of q bo0r! I
| won't"
But George walked out in the very
| course of his vehement protest, and
it was necessarily left unfinished.
MI. Kinney remained only a few
moments after Georges departure;
and as the door closed upon him the
distressed Lucy turned. to her father.
She was plaintively surprised to find
him in a condition Of imm0derate
laughter.