The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1922-08-21
A TOO BRIEF FRIENDSHIP

The second visit was Tuesday. We'd
nesday Dora received a letter, the first
she had had in months-the first in
fact, since Morton wrote her early in
the spring.
This one said:
Dear Child-When you can, won't
YOU come in and talk to me awhile?
I'm always home late in the after
noon, Mrs. Innisley and I gossip over
teacups. Come and join us. Haven't
you errands to do in the town tomor.
row."
The letter was read and reread IN
Ill Dora knew it word for word Then
it was slipped into the pages of the
diary, where everything precious went.
She had never heard of letter
written just that way Who would
want to talk to her? Surely Mrs. Gates
could not be serious! She, Dora. never
could say anything anyone would want
10 listen to.
OF course. she shouldn't go. The
member uncle, her father and one
of the hired men, came in ravenous
for supper a. six, their midday picnic
lunch not being enough to keep them
going over the hard days work. She
was aware of the great favor being
done by having the unusual arrange
ment-nevertheless she upset her
aunt's plan, cooked a big dinner at
noon, announced:
Il have to go in town with the bug
gy. l will be back by six" laid the
table ready, and after doing every
thing she could toward the evening
meal, she drove off to the town.
Il deserve a little recreation now
and then" she told herself to prop up
her dying courage-for she knew her
aunt wouldn't approve.
Mrs. Gates was in.
Here is the girl who lies awake
all night to read about old furniture,
she cried. Come here, my dear; it
was sweet of you to come in to see
me-"
Dora found herself alone with this
new friend and Mrs. Innisley, who was
Mr.. IEnisley's mother, and sixty odd
years old. She wasn't so afraid with
cid people, but she could think Of moth.
ing to say, for all that, 1t was the
old feeling, her tongue cleaving to the
roof of her mouth. her throat tight
nervousness making her dumb.
Mrs. Gates, who guessed all this
put out hand, and drew her down
to the sofa
It's a long drive, and you must be
tired. Here. you shall have a cup OF
tea, and don't say word until you
have drunk it"
1t acted like magic!
Being told to keep still for five min
utes, drinking the stimulating tea, hel
throat muscles relaxed, a little of he,
self-assurance came back, and she
looked humhly and gratefully at thi
new friend. And the new friend, help
ing her TO sandwiches, chatted on t
Mrs. Innisley.
In such fashion the friendship be
gun. Mrs. Innisley left them alon
after a time.
I'VE do this every afternoon sh
said, haad gesturing toward tn
laden tea table. Such spoiled habit
as get into when Gloria comes. Blu
she only comes once III ten years.
Dear thing! I'd come oftener if
had time" was the answer. Glori
pulled her feet up under her, san
back against a pillow, and surveye
her young guest. Dora noticed tina
she was wearing a most extraordinar
gown-if gown it could be called, fo
i was was some sort of a Chinese rob
not like a kimono at all, howevel
made with lot of floating. chiffon, CT
very low. and wrapped tightly aroun
her small figure. Dora could see ho'
thick and black and straight her hal
was, and how snugly it lay around he
finely modelled head.
1T was nice of you to come in an
talk to me-" she said.
Again this strange phrase, Dor;
vyho had never drunk tea at Eve b
fore, with wafer thin sandwiches an
slices of lemon on the tray, who ha