Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1922-02-17
CHAPTER XVIII
Tho L0as M n Fr1And

A"o A>0Do " y GuouU
"Why don't you want me to come
with you"' she asked him again.
She heard the quick Sigh that escaped
"You know why. I-I-there's no
need for me to tell you again. It's not
fair to me.it's not fair to yourself,
or-or-"
wryiy. ou oGsSsno need no. sSs ~o,ry an,sss sSSSt
him he doesn't caro- what I do; he'd
only be-glad il I ran away and left
him alone, really glad!"
He shook her hand from bis arm
You've no right to say that, and
anyway It's not the truth"
1T is the truth, and you know It..
However, we won't argue about It; I'm
not a very interesting person at best !;
let's talk about some one who is."
But he could not talk; q; he was 20
miserable that he hardly knew what he
was doing; in his why Wharton was
fond of John Harden, and he knew that
this situation was impossible.
They. walked some way in silence,
down the long drive and out into the
village street.
1t was very quiet--a few lights shone
nth, IN the windows vs.; OF the houses as they
laughter came from behind a red blind.
Doesn't that sound cheerful?" Molly
said impulsively. "Oh. dear, If only
some one would sometimes laugh up at
Manor Dyke, or make a joke!'
He made no answer, and presently
she asked II he were angry with her.
Eyes, ] am" he answered desper.
ately. "You are putting yourself into
a false position; and you are dragging
me with you. You have made it i'm.
possible for me to stay here. shall
have to tell Mr.. Harden that cannot
stay"
There vas long silence, then Molly
III YOU 60. I shall 60, too; would
rather die than stay up there alone
with john"
There was a tragic note in her voice.
had kept her going threush al! these
was always willing to talk to hsr. viii.
ing to 60 about with her until lately,
and now--she wished angrily that 10
had never said he cared for her: why
could not q woman have man for .
friend?
"It's absurd to talk like that" he
said, trying to steady his voice. Manor
Dyke is your home-you must Live
there"
In the light Of a lamp they were
passing she saw his face. and for the
first time she realized how she must
be hurting him, how cruelty hard she
was making things for him.
He had been a kind friend, and she
had repaid him 80 badly; tears filed
her eyes; she stood stu.
going back" Her voice trembled. She
hoped he would try to dissuade her,
away in the darkness and retraeed her
steps to Manor Dyke.
She was crying as she went; II seemed
an appalling thing II she had got to
lose Wharton's friendship az we'll as her
husbands love, and yet It was not for
that reason she was crying, she knew.
Life was such disappointment; all
its roseate tints were a sham and q
snare; she felt like the child who set out
to find where the rainbow touched earth,
and tho farther she walked the farther
off It seemed, till ut last she had to give
up and realize that one could never get
there, no matter how hard one tried.
She let herself into the house through
side door; ehe tlptoed across the holl
80 that she should not be heard, but
as she reached the stairs Harden's study
door opened and he came out.
Molly looked back guiltily over her
shoulder, and for a moment their eyes
met, then she covered her face with
her hands. and ned sobbins up the
stairs.
She knew now why she was crying {;
knew the reason of her restlessness and
the desire to make this man suffer |;
1t was because she loved him, because,
In spite Of everything that had hap.
pened. in her heart she still thought
him tho most wonderful man In the
world.
In the morning Wharton told John
Harden that he wished to leave his
service.
For an hour he had been writing let.
tsrs and sorting out papers, and It was
only when Harden had told him be could
90 that he stood for moment hesitat.
Ing nervously..
''I should like TO speak 70 you, SIR"
"Well. what do you wish to sayY"
Harden asked with touch Of imps.
tience.
The young mans kindly eyes were
full OF distress. He colored furiously