Gloucester County Democrat., 1912-01-18

mafned, as was the logical result of a
lack of definite purpose in life other
than to amuse herself and to forget.
Then Mr.. Sanger died. leaving the
bulk of his fortune to Henry Sanger.
Jr., to Eleanor comparative pittance.
This curtailment of her inheritance
was at her request. A quiet year in
Germany, spent studying music. fol.
lowed, and then she returned to the
Steel City to play her part in the max
ing Of Robert McAdoo
Late in the afternoon, the day Of
Bob's talk with Paul concerning her.
Mrs. Gilbert sat before luxurious log
fire in her own particular den In d
box by her side was an armful of roses,
which she was arranging in a huge
glass bowl. When the roses were be-
slowed to her satisfaction she reread
the note that had accompanied them,
smiling at some sentiment expressed
by the writer.
"You poor. romantic boy" she said
aloud sOne expects every minute that
your conversation and letters will
break into blank verse. wish-I don't
know what / wish" she concluded re-
sentfully. But whatever it is, it's
fairly certain that can't have it. just
as thought / had achieved content I
meet two men absolutely out of my
sphere and the one stirs up the old.
uncertain longings, which he can't sat
isfy. and the other stirs up the old
wicked recklessness that had thought
dead forever" She sighed impatiently.
A half hour later she stood by the
window. her eyes mechanically follow
ing the figure Of man walking up the
street. When the pedestrian came to
the Sanger entrance he turned in and
walked with swift, decided steps to-
ward the house Then Eleanor recog-
nized him.
ssOhv' she gasped in astonishment
and with a hint of dismay in her voice.
She hastily left the window. There
was a knock at the door. and the but
Ter entered.
'Mr. McAdoo to see you, madam"
"Show Mr.. McAdoo into the library,
Thomas" she replied after a moments
hesitation. tAnd / shall not be at
home the rest of the afternoon.
Why had Bob come to see Mrs. Gil
bert? Bob himself was trying to an
swer the same question Blindly he
felt that one of his possessions was
threatened and that he must fight with
a woman for supremacy over Paul.
The portieres were parted, and she
fully that here was a very beautiful
woman. far more beautiful than either
Kathleen Finn or Mrs. Dunmeade, the
only women of finer type he knew.
For the fraction of second while she
paused on the threshold there was the
same fencing of glances with which
they had met i'll the thea ter-the adver
saries' salute-then her eyes softened
to an amused gleam. While Bob stood
still she went over to him.
I've been trying to decide wheth-
er this is pleasant or unpleasant sur
PRISE she smiled quizzically. (which
Is it?" She held out her hand.
Bob looked at the outstretched hand
and shook his head coldly. The hand
was at once returned to her side.
"You persist in the hostile attitude? p
why not? Let US have no false
pretenses. dislike you; you dislike
me. If we stick to that 1t will sim.
plify matters
"How do you know don't like you?"
The amused gleam in her eyes deep
ened.
God forbidr' he calculated involun-
tarily. But" he added grimly.
there's no danger"
Don't be too sure of that" she
warned him in gay malice. You know
nothing wins a woman's liking o
quickly as resistance If you're got
careful may end by liking you. Tnat
would be terrible predicament-if
we're to be enemies"
1T would!''
Eyes, for you." she flashed back.
Because then l should have to make
you like me. But don't be nervous.
/ shan't try. You're more interesting
as--you are"
"I am relieved" She noted with sur
prise that his ironical bow was easy
and not ungraceful.
"There have been men who feared
to displease me, Mr. McAdoo."
"I've no doubt there are such men. !"
And Bob's tone did not convey high
tribute to the class. "But don't hap
pen to be one of them"
Nor am afraid of you, Mr.. Nc
Adoo,'' she countered. Il was for one
moment that day in the theater. You
startled me. having caught me-
Having caught you in a contemp-
tible act" he interrupted quietly.
'Trying to cast doubt upon the SINGER
ity of man who was a total stranger
to you"
Tho os,a,,co1 crloor7 diod o1Yt of hnr