Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1919-04-28
CHAPTER LXXI.

/ Cf1AIIt1 L[A-Nl.
1t was nearly midnight when Ar
thur Bruce's car stopped again at
the Brents' house and he and Honora
alighted.
The girl laid a trembling hand on
his arm.
What shall we tell Mrs. Higgins?"
she quavered.
Arthur spoke firmly. Dear, you
have been so brave and fine, do not
weaken now. We will know what
to say when the time comes. There
is nothing to tell, for we know moth
ing of Mildred's whereabouts
| His practical manner steadied his
weary companions nerves. am
all right now" she said Il am sorry
| was so weak for moment.
You were not weak, and If you
had been it would have been no
wonder. You have had nothing TO
eat for hours" he reminded her'
for she had refused to take any sup
per in Hartford.
AS Honora's key turned IN the
lock of the front door figure came
swiftly out of the nprarg' II was
Mrs. Higgins.
"Oh. my dear" she said in low,
agitated voice, Il am glad you have
come. l did not like to disturb MIS-
Bruce, so did not telephone for you:
But Mildred has seemed so upset
that 1 was worried about her:"
Mildred" Arthur echoed the
name. III,
"Yes-she never got home until
ten o'clock, and she looked ike
ghost. She asked where you were,
4oll were aJ
Mrs. Bruce's. Then she said, 'Much
she caresn or something like that:
| assured her that you did care anu
that we were both sorry she hao
to work so late. At that she looked
at me so strangely and laughed out
loud. Then she went on upstairs.
at knocked at her door a whlle
later and asked her if she dldn
want something to eat, but all she
said was, ooh. no; please go away:
So I just left her alone until you
should get back" ;,
"I will go right up to her'
Honora said.
But Arthur detained her as she
started towards the stairs.
You shall not go up until you
have had something to eat" he de-
clared. You see," to Mrs. Higgins
"she has had nothing since lun-
"But she was at your house to
dinner" the astonished woman sald.
| why didn't she eat?"
Honora Nom -Committal
IT cannot explain. l did not feel
like it," Honora interrupted before
Arthur could reply.
II will get you something rlght
away" the elderly woman said, hur-
rying into the kitchen.
Honora tried to draw away from
Arthur when he would have led her
into the dining room.
"I must see about Milly," she raj
tered. II must know what has nap
pened to her."
81 can tell you now what has hap
pened to her." he said gravely. 4ou
may as we'll be prepared for it. That
scoundrel, Chandler, made fool OF
her when he was half drunk and
suggested that they go off together
Then he met this other woman and
went off with her. I suppose he got
scared at his wife's threat of divorce
proceedings and decided to leave
Fairlands in short ORDER
But he was to return to camp
before this"
$50 he told Mildred. That was
/ lie. He probably will return to camp
! to-morrow-unless he is arrested.
For my part, I think the woman he
is married to, is well rid of nm.
| Come in, dear, I'm just making a
cup of tea for you and Arthur" Mrs.
Higgins called from the dining room
"I have some sandwiches that l
fixed up for Mildred in case she'd
take them when she came back
from the office, but she didn't. So
here they are"
Honora forced herself to eat one
sandwich and gulp down a cup of
| tea. Then she rose.
"I am tired, Mrs. Higgins" she
said. 'I am going up to my room.
if you do not mind"
"I wish you would find out what
ails Mildred" the housekeeper ven-
! tured. II was wondering if
She paused, glancing at Arthur,
and flushing with embarrassment.
What were you wondering, Mrs.
! Higgins?" he asked. do not be
afraid to say it where I am"
We'll" the widow confessed. "I
was only wondering If Mildred was
a little hurt at your suggesting that
Honora go to your mother instead
of taking her"
A Secret Out
mildred could not have gone"
Honora began. But Arthur checked
her by gesture.
"My dear Mrs. Higgins" he said.
YOU have n right to know the truth,
and | am sure you will not discuss
'he matter with anyone. Mildred and
I are no longer engaged. She broke
!, the engagement"
/ "Oh. mol" Mrs, Higgins protested