Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1919-03-24
by VIRGINIA TERHUNE VAN DE
WATER.

CHAPTER LV.
(Copyrisht. 1919. Star Company
oh" Katie looked surprised. is
Miss Honora going to be back to
dinner after all:"
No" Mildred tried to speak nat
urally. she is not. But a friend
OF ours-Mr. Chandler, you know -
has been ordered back to camp to-
morrow. lie may be going over TO
France very soon may even be
killed before we ever see him again.
She paused at the Irish girls eX-
clamation of pity. 'Oh. the poor
Young man. Amt war the dreadful
thing. Miss Mildred
Indeed it is Mildred agreed.
And as it is the duty of all of US
women to cheer the soldier as much
me to ask Mr. Chandler to stay here
to dinner tonight 1t is too bad She
cannot come down herself-but she
will feel better to known that have
some one to talk to and that our
guest is receiving the hospitality
which is his due"
She had uttered her speech so
rapidly that she now paused, out of
breath.
Yes. ma'am." Katie rejoined. "Of
course If Mrs. Higgins says SO. it's
all right. But were not having much
for dinner. Only cold roast lamb and
two vegetables - and coffee"
is that all Mildred looked blank.
That is pretty plain fare for
fighter, isn't it? Haven't we any
thing else in the house,
Yes. we have canned soup, and
couple of apple pies. But those
were for to-morrows Sunday dim
ner.'
MilIie Orders Dinner
of n a
one pie tonight" Mildred said firm
~. There are other cans of soup
in the house, and one pie will be all
we need for tomorrow. L will take
the responsibility" she added, see
ing the expression of doubt creep
into Katie's eyes.
1t pays to be kind. Mildred re-
Elected as she went back to her guest.
Had she not given Katie permission
TO go out this afternoon the maid
might have spoken some criticismaof
the arrangements for this evening.
Tom talked steadily for the hour
preceding dinner, but it was largely
~ out himself. Mildred wished that
he would make the conversation
more intimate and tell her how much
ne missed her when he. was away
from her.
At last she broke in upon his
discourse. How long do you sup
pose it will be before you get back
to Fairlands anyway" she asked.
Perhaps l may be sent right over
TO France, you know" he replied. Il
hope So
You hope So" she protested. do
sou really want to run the risk of
getting killed or wounded?"
Il want TO do what 1 enlisted to
do he insisted. 81 want to get a
hack at the Germans. Every red
blooded man wants to do that"
Then he stopped, as if suddenly
remembering that the man TO whom
his hostess was engaged had shown
no desire in this direction.
Naturally" he added. "all men
cannot do what they want. But l
am fortunate in that 1 am absolutely
| Independent"
In the diningroom the dinner bell
chimed. When thsre were not reg
ular guests Katie always rang the
dinner bell. But if this was not
/ heard she would come to announce
the meal. She evidently did not con-
slider to-nights dinner a company
affair"
Mildred sprang up. There's the
dinner bell" she said. please ex-
cuse me while L run up and see if
Mrs. Higgins is comfortable. l will
be right down
A Sudden Consideration
on her way she paused at the
diningroom door. Katie she re-
sure that Mrs. Higgins wants moth
ing"
"Shan't ! go?" Katie offered.
Indeed, no. You have to be on
your feet enough without my maxi
ing you run any more than is abso-
lutely necessary. And, by the way,
Katie, when you see Mrs. Higgins,
do not mention the pie and the soup,
please. | will tell her about them
in the morning-but she Is so ner-
vous that the least little thing up
sets her at night 1 want her to keep
her mind quiet.
Very WELL" Katie assented. Her
young mistress had granted her so
many favors that she could afford
to comply with her wishes and to
seem as dull as Mildred wished to
think she was.
And you can go out this eve-
ming, if you want to-" Mildred con-
tinued. Mr.. Chandler has to leave
early. so l will have the whole eve
ming to give to Mrs. Higgins. And"
as she saw Katie's grin of delight.
you might take Mrs. Higgins din
ner up to her ard stay there with
hvr while we are having our coffee.
That will spare me the trouble of
going up before Mr.. Chandler leaves
and will get the dinner out of the
way so you can wish your dishes
early. But remember do not let Mrs.
Higgins talk too much. 1t is not
good for her."
Mildred ran upstairs. congratu-
lating herself on her wonderful re-
sources resources of which she
had not been conscious until the need
of them had forced her to draw upon
them.
Il would make good actress"
she muttered.
We'll my dear Mrs. Higgins look
ed up as she entered. why aren't
YOU at dinner2" L am sure / heard the
bell ring. Did your friend come all