Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1919-05-06
CHAPTER LXXVIII
(Copyright 1919, Star Company

Copyright 1919, Star Company
Weeks passed, and Harold Hill
ton fingered in Fairlands. Mildred
reported that his departure for
Canada was to be delayed for a
while yet. He was n frequent caller
at the Brent home, and Honora
kept in Mildred's good graces by
absenting herself at these visits.
She would come into the drawing
room, greet the caller. then plead
some work that needed her atten-
ton and return to her own or Mrs.
Higgins room.
Once the housekeeper comment
ed on this fact. Don't you like
Mildred's friend, my dear?' she
asked.
"Yes-as far as I can judge ne
is very nice fellow, although l
cannot see that he is so facinat
ing as NIilly thinks. But he is her
friend, not mine. So 1 make my
self popular by staying out of the
way"
Mrs. Higgins raised her eyebrows
doubtfully, but said nothing. She
regretted Arthur's absence. She was
sure that his friendship was a good
thing for Honora.
For Arthur had been in camp for
over a month. Honora seldom
mentioned him to anyone except his
mother, upon whom sh ecalled fire.
quently and whose loneliness she
tried to lessen. Had Arthur been
at home she would have felt some
hesita ton in going so often to his
house. AS it was. she found
vague comfort in being with his
mother.
Honora missed Arthur more than
she would have thought possible.
He wrote to her regularly-brief,
friendly letters. For some reason
which she could not explain to her
self-she did not mention these
ep.stles to Mrs. Bruce. The parent
also heard regularly from her young
soldier.
The fact that Harold Hitch was
still lame made it all right for him
to ask Mildred to go driving with
him every Sunday. Seated in the
rear of the big car that was driven
by Mr.. Hlton's chauffeur, the
young people would take long
jaunts. Sometimes Mr.. and Mrs
Hilton went with them; oftener
they went alone.
At last came the day when Mil
dred told her sister that she was
engaged to Harold Hilton.
I'VE do not want any one to
know of it until he has written to
his people in Canada" she said. "Of
course, Mr.. and Mrs. Hilton are not
a bit surprised"
Mildred in Love at Last
"They could hardly be-" Honora
rejoined smilingly. "I am very hap
py for you, little sister,"
Then, timidly, she asked the ques-
ton that she had asked Mildred
about two other men.
Dear, do you love him?
Indeed I do" Mildred declared.
He is so clever and so brave and
interesting"
But do you love him ?" Honora
repeated.
why, of COURSE" Mildred ex-
claimed with her silvery laugh. DO
you suppose | would get engaged
to him if l didn't?"
To which remark her sister
thought it wiser to make no reply.
When he had been absent for
two months Arthur Bruce came
home on three days leave. He
spent a whole long afternoon with
his mother; then, after dinner, came
around to see Honora.
When the young couple were
alone in the library the man in
formed the girl that this probably
would be his last visit to Fairlands
before he sailed overseas.
1T is likely that we will leave
for France within a fortnight" he
said. THAT information is not Off
cial, but 1 think it is correct"
Then" Honora moistened her
lips to reply, you have come home
to bid your mother goodby."
yes" he said, "and to try to tell
you how dearly love you, Honora." :"