Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1919-10-10
DAILY NOVELETTE,
DAILY NOVELETTE,
FRIENDS
BY Margaret X. sullivan


the rattle of dishes. and reached the
ears Of the tired. dusty driver of tn,
big touring car on the hot road. With
quick. voluntary motion and a glance
in the direction of the cottage from
which the sound cane. the driver slowed
down the car almost to a halt What
ever the driver had in mind when he
slowed down the car could not be con
"eiVcd. for with an impatient movement
he released the brakes and sent the ma
chine forward at nigh speed
A few minutes later pretty young
girl in her early twentics appeared on
the porch carrying in her arms a little
child of about two years
In few minutes the child was play e
ing on the porch. restored to goUl hu-
NOR and the pretty. young girl re-
Sumed her dish washing, but not her
singing.
Il wondcr--I wonder---" she be =
gan. and then stopped II mustn t
think. | mustn't" she checked herself
angrly then stood watching the chill
dren absently.
/ Suddenly she heard soft. purring
sound in the distance Yes. it was the
motor returning. Half curiously, she
watched it, unconsciously smoothing the
pretty gingham dress she wore. until
suddenly she realized that it was com
ing no nearer. "What can be the trou
ble?" she wondered. She saw figure
in the distance descend from the car
and slowly begin walking toward the
house.
She hurried into the house, glancing
into a mirror as she passed it.
well. anyway" she thought. ''lt
looks nice here. guess I'm almost
as good housckeepcr as Frances her
self. | wonder if lc will come here"
As if in answer to her thought she
heard JAMES voice calling "Muddie,
Muddic." and deep boyish voice talk
ing to the child. At the sound of that
voice her heart leaped in her. 1t couldn't
be. butt must be. and she must go
out
please may have bucket of water
for my engine" he inquired.
"Certainly. sir. I'll get it for you"
she returned in the same polite. casual
tone as his own.
In a few minutes she reappeared with
n bucket. of clear. sweet water. pumped
fresh from the we'll, which she noticed
he eyed longingIy.
"Wait just a moment she said. in
kinder tone "I'll get you drink"
/ As she returned with the water, her
face flushed from the exertion of pump
ing. she noticed that the man was star
ing moodily at the ground. then with a
quick motion he stared at her and from
her to the children with queer express
sion on his face
Flinging out his hand impulsively. he
said Maud let us at least be friends.
if only for the sake Of these children
here
With surprised look at him. she g
nored his hand and stood as if stunned.
"Muddie. muddie. broke in little
jamie. jamie 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 shoulders
shook ronvusively. With one leap over
the low railing the young man reached
her side.
'Maudie, its my fault. dear, that
you came to this. Let us forget it III
always be your friend. Don't dear; :;
don't feel so bad IL"
"Oh," came from the girl, 'ft's so
if runnv--''
r It was now the mans turn TO be
aStonshed. for the face turned up to
him was wet with tears--of laughter
! We'll. what the deuce is up? II
' What is it. Maud?" he finished des-
| perately
1 "Oh. Fred. see it all now. jamie,
come here. dear. Where is MOTHER
e She asked.
Mamma 2" questioned the child
,plainly. Mamma: She gone way of.
4 light of understanding broke over
the Young mans face. and under hi
breath he murmured, "Maudic." then
'NIudde." and found 30 little differouC'
that he Joined in the laughter with Q
q light heart.
But Maudies face had again cicudet
, and tone of restraint crept into nr'
" voice ms she said, But. Fred, tina
" don't explain your not writing me 20
:, So long Tell me. please. why it was.
With his two arms about her. Fret
explained his long absence. due to sick
h ness. then his return home, her dis
e appearance. his long hunt for her an'
n his final conclusion of her faithlesSneSS
n which was strengthened by the sigh
d Of her with the little ones.
:. But. Maud" he continued, Iwhel
d | heard your voice today singing ! jus