Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1914-12-22

Barker withdrew, and minute later
Mrs. Travers was shown into the room.
| She wore a handsome mun and stole OF
white fox and looked radiantly beautiful.
~ hope YOU don't mind me calling
to see you" she said as they shook
hands.
I'm delighted What a wretched day.
isn't it? Come and sit by the FIRE"
Mrs. Travers smiled, took Off her furs
and laid them on table. Then she
seated herself on a chaif by the FIRE and
held out her hands to the blaze.
"Of course, I ought not to have come
here" she said, after few moments OF
silence "only business OF the most
urgent importance--a matter that I could
not Write about-has brought me here.'t
~ am very pleased to see YOU he said
mechanically. Very pleased. indeed"
That was true enough. He was glad
to see her. On a black and dull October
day like this the mere sight of any
thing SO fair and radiant as Mrs,
Travers was a pleasure
ITS rather a difficult matter TO speak
about she said nervously, "but-but---"
She paused and twned her hands to-
gethcr on her knees. and stared at the
fire. Her face was grave and troubled.
"welll" he said kindly.
you must lookNon me as n friend-one
who wishes you well-all OF you. Lord
Arthur. If you have any influence over
your sister-ln-law-you have, haven't
you7"
well, I dare say I have little" he
answered with n smile
Then I implore you to try TO per-
suade her, Lord Arthur. This marriage
can never bring her happiness 1t must
not take place"
intently at Mrs. Traver's face. The
woman was gazing at the FIRE and seemed
very distressed.
I'm afraid" he said after a pause,
that I cannot interfere in the matter"
The tone of his voice made her look up
at him, and an eager light came into
her eyes.
you do disapprove of the marriage?"
she said quietly. you have disapproved
of 1t all along?"
He smiled ''Well. Mrs. Travers." he
said, "of course, there is a certain diff
ference-in posltlon-your brother. a most
distinguished man. of course-still-
we'll, I should hardly have thought the
objection would have come from his
family"
"oh, please don't misunderstood me,
Lord Arthur; It Is of your sister | am
thtnking-well, not exactly. but of both
of them. am sure. quite sure, that
they will not be happy
Lord Arthur nodded. He suspected the
truth and was ashamed of his suspicious,
This woman, In league with Dick Meriet
to do some injury to the young Lord
Wimberley, would shrink from her task
II the two families we're united in mar
riage. She thought she could do her
work more easily If the marriage did
not take place.
II must confess" he said after pause.
that you've rather taken my breath
away. 1 thought you seemed so pleased
that day you called at Monksllver. What
has happened since to make you change
your mlnd?''
Nothing, Lord Arthur-nothing. From
the very first I foresaw difficulties. But.
of course, had to pretend to be pleased.
All along I've been against the marriage
You yourself see that it can never be a
success. My brother Is wrapped UP in
his work. Lady Wimberley doesn't un-
derstand how dull her life will be-she
has had such a different sort OF life.
And then the boy? You don't know my
brother-how stern he Is. how unlikely
to favor Lord Wimberley-a mothers
darling; the boy is sure to lead to
trouble"
HIM, yes" said Lord Arthur. stroking
his mustache and looking at a portrait
Of Lady Wimberley that stood on the |
still, l don't understand, |
Mrs. Travers, why you have suddenly |
come to me about all this"
II have come to YOU" she replied, be-
cause IL feel you're the sort of man |
that can be trusted to do what is right, |
to use his influence for good"
You are very kind he muttered, |
Then ne laughed. Look here, Mrs. |
rravers,' he said, please be frank with |
me. There is some definite reason why |
your brother should not marry, my sis |
ter-in-law, 1 disapprove of the match |
myself and should be glad If you would |
Tell me anything that would enable me |
10 break off the engagement"
She met his gaze without fiinching
There was look of reproach in her
eyes.
Anything dehnite?' she said slowly. |
Against my brother?'
He flushed. wen, didn't mean that |
exactly" he stammered. "But you see,
1ne could not really break of the engage |
nent unless there was some definite rea-
son for doing so-something that would |
prevent my sister-in-laW from marrying |
your brother"
There is Lothing against him." said
Mrs. Trayers hOty, HE Is one of the |
best and kindest and most honorable OF |
men. But this marriage will mean un-
happiness for him and for Lady VIM /
'erley. You can see that and l can see
T. We must do our best TO make It im-
possible"
He scrutinized her face with those clear,
iteady eyes OF his, She was an enigma
10 far as he was concerned. He could
rot believe that abe was acting a part
hat she was anythihs but what she ap-
feared to be- a woman who was genuine
y anxious to save others from unhappl-
Tess. He could not. at that moment, be-
ievs~any evil OF her
~ hat do you suggest?' he said after
pause. Why have you coma 10 me
md told me your views on the matter?"
Il want you 20 use your influence"
"Oh. that Is all nonsense" he broke in,
.bruptly, "of course. Lady Wimberley
would only be,angry with me Il told her
did not approve OF the marriage. II
would not prevent her from marrying
our brother"
s.r