Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1919-03-10
CHAPTER XIX,

CHAPTER XLIX.
| Copyright, 1919, Star Company
Mildred Brent, never over-con-
science, was not hampered by a
sense Of guilt as she faced her be-
trothed
Well" she said, what's the mat
ter? 1 thiught you were in Bridge
port"
WAS that why you had Chandler
here?" Arthur asked.
why, yes-I mean 1 knew my
evening would be spent alone, so 1
let him come"
You did not expect me, did you?"
he questioned.
Honora, watching the little
drama, wondered that the girl did
not perceive that the man was un-
der some adverse mental or nervous
strain. But Mildred, always secure
in her egotism, noted nothing e&--
cept that Arthur was disagreeably
persistent. She did not suspect that
some grave trouble was on his mind.
"Of course did not expect you"
she replied. You told me you
would not be here this evening
at the clock-''if you had come five
minutes later you would have found
all the lights out. This is a queer
time to make a call"
She had the faculty of putting
others in the wrong. Arthur usu-
ally submitted; now, however, he
flushed argrily.
And this is a queer hour, too,
for you to be having callers" he
retorted.
Honora interposed. "Tom Chan
dler was just going, Arthur. Mil
d,ed and l had a long talk with
him. 1t was not his fault that he
stayed so late-nor was it Mill
dred's."
Arthur Apologies
The mans manner changed. "Oh,
he came to see both of you, did he?
he asked. II beg your pardon.
did not understand.
But his attempt at an apology
did not come soon enough. MIL
dred's eyes flashed.
May L inquire why you shoulu
| apologize to Honora for your dis
niea sure-as if the fact of her pres
ence made Toms call all rlght'
| she NAV let you think that he came
to see her as we'll as me. But ne
| did not. He called me up and asked
if he could see me. Honora stayeu
in the living room through the en-
! tire evening of her own choice. You
NAV as we'll understand that.
"And YOU may as well under
stand, too, that | mean to nave any
callers here that / choose TO nave.
If YOU do not like it, you know what
you can do"
| Honora's, and she lookeu dppr
sively at Arthur.
The man started to retort. then
closed his lips firmly as II to gain
| self-control. When he did speak
his voice was cold and hard.
| "I suppose / should hardly expect
YOU to look at the thing sanely just
now, Mildred" he said. You are
| in a temper. / am sorry, Tor came
here tonight to ask your help. l
see | made a mistake"
| He started toward the door, put
Honora checked him.
arthur" she calculated. What
help do you need? Is anything
wrong?"
He stopped and looked at her.
Eyes, my father is seriously Ill. He
had a very bad attack two hours
ago. l had just reached home after
my run down to Bridgeport. For
| tunately l got the doctor imme-
diately. Father is more comfortable
now and a trained nurse. is with
him. But mother is very nervous,
and I came over here thinking that
perhaps Mildred would come around
and stay with her tonight.
| Mother should have some woman
with her, vet it is so late that she
would not let me send for any one
and insists that she is all right. 1
did not tell her / was coming here.
knew she would protest. Never
theless, it is hard on her to be alone
with only me"
Honora Speaks to Milly
Honora turned to her sister, Mil
Bruce's, dear"
why should I go?" Milly OBJ
! jected. There are lots of other
people she would rather have. I
don't know anything about illness" 4"
"Milly," Honora spoke sternly.
'you are going to be Mrs. Bruce's
daughter some day. She is in
trouble. and she has no daughter of
her own. Your duty lies there.
Come-Ill help you get ready"
Mildred shook her head obstinate
". 1T can't" she declared. "I tell
you I am a fool where there is ILL
ness. l hate it."
"You will have nothing to do with
Illness" Honora explained. my
dear" lowering her voice. this is
not a time for selfish considerations.
Arthur is in trouble. He has come
for you. Your place is with his
mother"
Arthur Bruce had moved a few
feet away from the pair. He did
not hear Honora's words. but he saw
Mildred shrink from her sister as
she tried to lead her to the stairs.
"No!" she muttered. I can't go
and I won't! Arthur has no right
to ask such a thing of mel"
"Honora!" Arthur interpreted,
"Please do not urge Mildred to do
that which is evidently so dista ste
full to her. made mistake in