The state herald., 1921-05-27
Teaching Harold a
Lesson
BY HAROLD sINcLAIRE
%. iy.l, Western Newspaper Union.J

Don't be too hard on me, Milly."
I'm not You are hard on yourself,
Harold. Just think of IT.; when we
were getting along so nicely. and
everything was going so well. l can't
bear to think of it, and pretty Milly
Wells burst into tears.
II am sorry" began the young man
in a contrite tone meant to be sooth-
ing. He placed a gentle hand on
Mnly's own. She switched 1t away,
wilful and petulant.
You never would have done 1t If |
had known" declared the young girl
between sobs. ~ never want you to
show me the bank book again. I've
lost all interest in It forever, and I'm
glad I'm going to visit Aunt Margaret.
People may have some consideration
for me there"
Listen to me, dear" said Harold
tenderly. "You and | would never
have met, and might still be a
drudge In a poor country store, If 1t
were not for John Gregory"
"Oh, that's an old story" replied
Mlliy lmpatlentiy.
"Yes, it is an old story" pursued
Harold, "and a good old story-how
he gave me, a penniless lad, enough
money to reach the city, and II recon-
mendation that enabled me to win my
present position. There is "A new part
10 the story now, Milly. His son, Il
profligate, came to me today. He was
In trouble-something worse than
trouble, dear, almost disgrace. A
hundred and fifty dollars might save
him. remembered what his kind old
father, now dead. had done for me,
and"
You let him have the money--Our
money" said Milly. "All that great
sum earned so hard and saved so
slowly. Oh, dear! oh, dear! it is al
most heartbreaking"
So Harold Brown walked slowly
home. wretched and serious. But next
afternoon he called at the Wells home
as agreed.
To mis- disappointment, he found
that the aunt whom Mllly was going
10 visit had stopped over from Il
train to take her home with her.
Amid the hustle of luggage and part
ing with half dozen fond girl
friends. poor Harold had barely a
chance to hurriedly kiss his fiance
rood-by on the depot platform.
Two letters came to Harold thai,
first week. Only one the second
week.
Harold WINGED over the careless
tone of the miss!ve. II was still
harder TO bear when succeeding let
ters told of gay times nj her aunt's
home-plenty of company, merry
round Of parties, picnics and pleasure.
Then there was a week and no let
ter at ALL Ii was Saturday after
noon, and the anxious love. went mp
TO the Wells home. hopeful OF some
news. As he neared II he heard the
voices OF Milly's sisters and some
friends ON the side porch Of the
house. He was about to Join them,
when his eye caught sight OF figure
gliding In among the shrubbery
towards the little arhor In the garden
"Milly! Milly!" cried Harold, his
eager steps overtaking her as she
sank 30 seat In the arbor and COW
cred her face with her hands.
He sat down beside her. trembling
with his emotion. She did not shrink.
"Oh. Harold" she cried. take me
back"
Amid sobs and tears she confessed
II all; n perverse maiden. pipued and
unstable. fooling her silly little heart
with the thought that she was ''teach-
Ing her lover lesson" cheating her.
self with the delusion OF new faces.
~ VIII never complain again." prom
ised Milly when they were alone
again. I'VE will have TO wait TO
make up what-what we gave TO help
your poor friend, but l will he patient
and happy. Harold"
"Why. that doesn't count. Mllly."
cried Harold brightly. Young Greg
ory paid ne hack that money last
week"
"Paid you bnck, Haroldf"
"Yes, dear. The timely help I gilve
him brldged u crisis In his career. He
went back home II humble prodigal.
His mother after while IN going 10
start him In business. and II he holds
out she has asked me TO become his
partner In nm arrangement that means
double what I nm getting now. II
viii be June. Milly, after ali."
"Oh. Harold. am No happy" muir
INJURED the fair peniient: foolish.
wicked girl that ! have been. never
realizing that your dear. kind heart
,,.s "a s,inv hread unon the u.nters 4"