The Washington times., 1919-04-30
The Heart Breakers
A REAL AMERICAN ROMANCE
HOnOra Hears That Mildred Has
Transferred Her Affections to
Harold Hilton
A REAL AMERICAN ROMANCE

now. lOn. EtanClnE from the WIN
dow, there it is aIready-the
Limousine, please observe! I say,
Honora, some class to me-isn't
thereg"
She laughed mcrrily and ran
downstairs.
ThOughtfully Honora took off her
own office dress and started to put
on another gown. In the act of
fastening this garment neat dress
OF dark blue silk-she paused. Why
should she not look her prettiest
tonight? Arthur was going away
soon. She had a right to have him
carry with him a recollection of her
at her best.
MIlIy Heart Whole Again.
When she appeared beIow-stairs
fifteen minutes later, she wore a
soft, filmy creation of an exquisite
shade of rose pink. The gown was
a favorite one with Mrs. Higgins,
who smiled her appreciation.
Il am glad to see you wearing
that pretty thing" she remarked.
Il was thinking just now as I saw
Mildred looking so fine that 1
wished you would be as much inter
ested in dress as she is. Not but
what you are always well groomed,
my dear" she added hastily, for
you always are. And you always
look stylish. But bright colors are
very becoming to you, and they do
tighten one up so in the evening.
And, after all. you aVa only a little
older than Mildred. So why not
dress as if you were as young as
you are?"
Il don't always feel young" the
girl replied.
But you must, Honey" Mrs. Hig-
gins insisted. 'SYou ought to en-
tertain more. 1 think we must force
you to do so. Now here you have
a whole long evening before you
with nobody but me-"
"No," Honora corrected, flushing
consciously. Arthur Bruce is COM
ing" -
well. I am glad! Do you sup
pose he expects to find Mildred at
homer"
mo, he knows she is to be out"
Honora said quickly.
She wished that Mrs. Higgins
could think of Arthur as unconnect-
ed with Mildred. The broken en-
gagement had evidently made a
deep impression.
But the widows next words were
soothing. Il have been thinking a
lot about Arthur and Mildred" she
confessed, ''and have been remem-
bering back a ways. / can see that,
after all, that affair was only a
passing fancy of Arthur's. There
was a time when you and he seemed
to be much closer friends than
Mildred and he were"
"Yes, I know and you probably
always win be. And that is worth
much more than. the fancy reused
by pretty face or such a coquet-
tish- manner as Mildred has. aII
fond of the 'child--very fond of her,
as you know-but she is not stable
like you. And you are sure Of Ar
thurs friendship"
The words recurred to the, girl
several times during the evening
while her caller and she talked
earnestly and confdentially.
Yes, she was sure of his friend
ship, vet there was something in his
manner that made her heart beat
fast, something that did not seem
to be mere friendship.
A Thankful Arthur.
No mention was made Of Mildred
until Just before Arthur was leaV-
ing.
81 wish I could stay longer" he
said wistfully. But it has been
such a wonderful evening, here
alone with you, that I do not want
to. mar it by lingering until some
body comes in and interrupts US.
By the way, where is Mildred?"
Honora explained her sisters
whereabouts. To her surprise, Ar
thur smiled amusedly.
"It's good to be like Milly,7
Honora said quickly. "For expert
ences do not hurt her. I am a not
as wise as she"
THANK goodness" he exclaimed.
Mildred has not the power Of
making people care long, either"
Arthur" Hpnora reprOved.
THAT does not sound nice coming
from you"
81 can't help il, I confess I was
desperateiy-in love with her. But
it was not the kind of love that
lasts"
How do you know"
Because her dismissal OF me
does not hurt me now a bit. If il
had been you who had broken off
our friendship, for instance, I do
not think could bear it. dear.
That's the difference"
After which he said goodnight
hastily and took his departure. 1t
was almost as IL he were afraid to
let himself say more.