The herald. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1905-1953, 1919-12-11
FRIENDS
Nv MARGARET X. SULLIVAN.

of the tired, dusty driver Of the
g. corning car on the hot road. With
ouick. voluntary motion, and glance
:, the direction Of the cottage from
.,ch the sound came, the driver
.,oued down the car almost to a halt,
49,, the singing ceased and another
- came TO his hearing. 1t was
80, Of a child crying and the sweet
.ono was changed to Mother's coax
to comforting monotone, while the
n.et,e of dishes had stopped. What
.rsr the driver had in mind when he
s,owed down the car could not be con-
so,ved for with an impatient move
amt he released the brakes and sent
49, machine forward at high speed.
fev minutes later pretty young
d,l In her early twenties appeared on
.be porch carrying in her arms little
child of about two years.
aNow. jamie, a big girl like you
sbould not be crying. Why can't you
no good like little brother?"
aJanie dood dirl, Muddie," protested
tho little one, and then catching sight
~ the cleaning car fast disappearing
On the distance, she dimpled and CUR
vled stretching her little dimpled arms
toward it.
Suddenly she heard soft purring
sound in the distance. Yes, 1t was the
motor returning. Half curiously she
votcbed il, unconsciouSly smoothing
the pretty bingham dress she wore,
rnti, suddenly she realized that it was
coming no nearer. what can be the
trouble?" she wondered. For trouble
n surely must be, for there was no
other house within walking distance
of the car but this one. She saw
6gure 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 tone
of studied politeness, and met look
As stony and unrecognizing as the one
she felt on her own face.
aPlease may have a bucket of wa
fer for my engineer" 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 get it for you?
he asked. "Its liable to be heavy"
"Oh, no, thank you. 1 am perfectly
able to carry it."
wait Just a moment" she said, in
kinder tone. "I'll get you a drink"
As she returned with the water, her
face flushed from the exertion of
punping she noticed that the man
was staring modify at the ground,
then with a quick motion he stared at
her, and from her to the children with
queer expression on his face.
Flinging out his hand impulsively,
he said: MAUD, let us at least be
friends, il only for the sake of these
children here"
With a surprised look at him, she
ignored his hand, and stood as IL
stunned.
Middle. muddie," broke in little
JAMIE, "Janie wanna wide"
At the sound of the little ones voice
the light broke on the astonished girl.
"Oh, Fred, Fred" she cried, and
then dropping into a chair she buried
her face In her hands and her Shout
ders shook convulsively. With one
leap over the low railing the young
man reached her side.
Maudie, it's my fault, dear, that
you came to this. Let us forget 1t. I'll
always be your friend. Don't dear,
don't feel so bad. IL"
"0h," came from the girl. "Its so
ff-funny-"
1t was now the mans turn TO be
astonished, for the face turned up to
him was wet with tears-of laughter!
We'll, what the deuce is up? IL
What is 1t, Maud?" he finished des-
perately.
"0h, Fred, I see it all now. jamie,
come here, dear. Where is motherT
she asked.
"MammaT questioned the child,
plainly. Mamma? She gone way
or"
light Of understanding broke over
tne 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
e. and tone of restraint crept int
ner voice as she said: "But, Fred,
.nat don't explain your not writing me
IOf 50 long. Tell me, please, why IL
wasr
WIN his two arms about her, Fred
explained his long absence, due to
SICKNESS, then his return home, her
usppearance, his long hunt for her,
sno MS nnal conclusion of her faith
ssness. which was strengthened by
me sight Of her with the little ones.
but Maud he continued, "when
. neard your Voice today, singing, 1
sas' mad to see you, If only to make
s0u see that no matter what had hap
eaeo' was still an Old. true friend
0ut now, Maudie, now"
some hours later JAMES, mother and
utner found A stranua m, - +ho;,