The Mount Holly news., 1919-12-16
FRIENDS
ey MARGARET X. SULLIVAN

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Copyright. 1919. Mcclure Newspaper Syn
dicata.)
A sweet, clear voice rang out above
the rattle Of dishes, and reached the
ears Of the tired. dusty driver of the
big touring car on the hot road. With
a quick, voluntary motion, and glance
In the direction Of the cottage from
which the sound came. the driver.
slowed down the car almost to a halt,
then the singing ceased and another
sound came to his hearing. 1t was
that of a child crying and the sweet
song was changed to a mothers coax
ing, comforting monotone, while the
rattle Of dishes had stopped What
ever the driver had In mind when he
slowed down the car could not be con-
ceived, for with an impatient move
ment he released the brakes and sent
the machine forward at high speed.
A few minutes later a pretty young
girl in her early twenties appeared or
the porch carrying in her arms little
child of about two years.
"Now, jamie, a big girl like yon
should not be crying. Why can't you
be good like little brother2"
jamie dood dirl, Muddie," protested
the little one, and then catching sight
OF the cleaning car fast disappearing
Ia the distance, she dimpled and CUR
gled, stretching her little dimpled arms
toward 1t.
Suddenly she heard a soft purrine
sound in the distance Yes, 1t was the
motor returning. Half curiously she
watched it, unconsciously smoothing
the pretty gingham dress she wore
until suddenly she realized that 1t was
coming no nearer. what can be the
roublef" she wondered. For trouble
It surely must be, for there was no
other house within walking distance
of the car but this one She saw a
figure in the distance descend from
the car and begin walking slowly to-
wards the house, without even a back
ward glance toward the car.
water or gasoline?" was her
thought.
Slowly she went forward and stood
framed In the doorway. The least she
expected was a surprised glance from
the man she stood facing. but to her
surprise she was addressed in a tont
OF studied pOliteness, and met q look
as stony and unrecOgAizing as the one
she felt on her own face.
please may have bucket Of wa
ter for my engine?" he inquired.
Certainly, sir; I'll get it for you,'
she returned In the same polite, casual
tone as his own.
"But-er-I. May l get 1t for your
lie asked. tits li&ble to be heavy"
"Oh, no, thank you. l am perfectly
able to carry It,"
wait just moment" she said, in
kinder tone. "Ill get you drink" :"
As she returned with the water, her
face flushed from the exertion of
pumping she noticed that the man
was staring moodily at the ground,
then with quick motion he stared at
her, and from her to the children with
a queer expression on his face.
Flinging out his hand impulsively,
he said: Maud. let us at least be
friends, If only for the sake of these
children here"
With surprised look at him, she
ignored his hand, and stood as If
stunned.
'Muddie, muddie." broke in little
JAMIE, Jamie wanna wide"
At the sound of the little ones voice
the light broke on the astcnished girl.
"Oh, Fred, Fred" she cried, and
then dropping into chair she buried
her face In her hands and her shoul-
ders shook convulsively. With one
leap over the low railing the young
man reached her side.
"Maudie, It's my fault, dear, tha
you came to this. Let us forget 1t. I'll
always be your friend Don't dear,
don't feel so bad. IL"
"Oh," came from the girl. 'Tt's so
f-f-funny-"
1t was now the mans turn to be
astonished, for the face turned up to
him was wet with tears-of laughter
swell. what the deuce is up7 IL
What is 1t, Maudr he finished des-
perately.
"oh, Fred, / see 1t all now. JAMIE
come here, dear. Where is mother7
she asked.
'MammaT questioned the child,
plainly. Mamma? She gone way
off,"
A light of understanding broke over
the young mans face, and under his
breath he murmured "Maudie," then
"Muddie." and found so little differ
ence that he Joined In the laughter
with light heart.
But Maudie's face had again cloud
ed. and tone of restraint crept int
her voice as she said: "But, Fred, |
that don't explain your not writing me |
for so long. Tell me. please. why it
was?"
With his two arms about her. Fred |
explained his long absence, due to |
sickness, then his return home, her
his long hunt for her,
and his final conclusion Of her faith
lessness, which was strengthened by II
the sight of her with the little ones.
But. Maud. he continued, "when
heard your vCace today. singing, 1
Just had to see you, II only to make
you see that no matter what had hap
pened. ! was still an I'D. true friend;
but now, Maudie, now" III
Some hours later Janie's mother and
'ather found strange car at their
ioor and their two children playing
o their hearts content In the dirt,
While from the house came the so0nd
4 preparations for the evening meal.
md above the rattle of the dishes a
lear, sweet, happy voice and a low,
ibrantD joyous voice singing content
dly.