Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1919-04-19
CHAPTER LXIV

CHAPTER lAlN
Copyright 1919, Star Company
Mildred Brent need not have declared
that she would not attend Arnold
Bruce's funeral on Monday, for she had
such cold that she was not able to
leave the house.
Her shoes and skirt had been wet
when she returned from her Sunday
walk with Tom Chandler. and she was
chilled to the bone. She had changed
her wet garments for dry ones, but the
mischief was done. She awoke on Mon
day morning with u sore throat and
headache.
The doctor summoned by Honora
said that the patient could get up, but
must stay indoors for twenty-four
hours.
"The air is cold and clear, but you are
in a condition to add TO your cold if
you venture out" he explained.
Honora went down to the Office in the
morning, arranging to be excused in
the afternoon that she might attend
Mr.. Bruces funeral. She did not come
home to luncheon but went to the SER
vices directly from the office.
Mrs. Higgins sciatica was so far inn
proved that she was able to busy her
self about sundry household duties
Therefore she had little time to de-
vote to Mildred-even had the girl
wanted her company.
But she did not. She preferred to be
alone with her own thoughts. She
was unhappy. Tom Chandler had left
town last night-or she supposed he
had-and he had forgotten to give her
his address. OF course it was the same
that it had been when he was in camp
and she might write to him. Yet the
recollection of his appointment will,
the mysterious kitty" chilled her i'm
pulses Was that girl really Toms
cousin? Mildred was determined to
find out.
4 Box for Mildred
At eleven o'clock in the morning a
box from n florists was left at the house
for Miss Mildred Brent Eagerly. she
unfastened the string and tore off the
paper.
The box contained a huge bunch OF
violets. There was no card with them
"They are from Tom" the recipient
told herself happily. Nobody else
would have sent them. Arthur is toe
much occupied with his own troubles
and, besides that, he is peeved with me
I don't care il he is Tom ordered these
sent as his parting message to me-
The idea warmed her heart toward
the soldier. He was handsome and in
love with her. This act of his proved
it. She tried to Danish the thought OF
the mysterious kitty"
The bedroom in which Mildred sal
was redolent with the odor of English
violets when Honora returned from the
cemetery that afternoon.
How sweet these are!" she eX-
claimed. bending over the blossoms and
smelling them delightedly. you know
who sent them?"
"Of course do" Mildred replied with
a curtness that checked further COM
ment.
Honora removed her hat and coat in
silence. She looked so pale that her
sister was moved to mention the fact
"You seem worn out. What's the
matter?"
'I am depressed. that's ALL" Honora
said. "Such services as have attended
are trying to the body and spirits"
Eyes. I hate funerals!' Mildred
agreed "Did everything go off al
right? I suppose I was not ever
mssed?"
Mrs. Bruce asked for you. She was
sorry you were i'll. Arthur is coming ir
to see you about five o'clock"
"IIe need not trouble HIMSELF" Ar
thurs betrothed declared. But Honora
made no rejoinder.
An Effective Costume
Nor did she give any advice wher
an hour later, Katie announced to Mild
red that "Mr. Arthur Bruce was call
ing"
The semi-invalid. clad in becoming
negligee, descended the stairs slowly
and greeted her caller languidly. Sht
was making the most of her temporary
invalidism.
Are you feeling better?" Arthur
| inquired.
81 am far from WELL" she replied
"But it makes no difference"
"It makes a great deal of difference
Mildred" he assured her; "to me-a
least"
She raised her eyebrows skeptically
"You have not shown that it did Ar
thur. Indeed you have been so mucl
absorbed in your own troubles that yor
have forgotten me entirely"
"I could not come to you to-day, my
dear" he reminded her MY mother
needed me. and there were many things
to be attended to. But hoped the vic.
let's would say to you that which ]
could not say in person."
1.-The violets :"
"Yes. Didn't they come? I ordered
them this morning when I learned that
you were not we'll"
"Who told you?"
'Honora, telephoned to ask her what
time ! should send the coach to take