Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1915-02-23

him to tell me. There 10 nothing beyond
that-absolutely nothing"
When Tavernake was announced, Eliza
beth was still smoking, sitting in an easy
| chair and looking into the fire. Some
thing In her attitude, the droop Of her
head as Il rested upon her fingers, re-
minded him suddenly of Beatrice. He
pause In his walk across the room. Even
that, however. in a person whose
machine-llke attitude toward her pro-
voked her resentment. was noticeable
Good morning, my friendr' she said
pleasantly. you have brought me the
fresh llst?"
Unfortunately. no, madam" Taver-
make answered. 81 have called simply
TO announce that I am not able to be OF
any further assistance to you In the
matter"
She looked at him for a moment without
remark.
Are you serious. Mr.. Tavernake" she
asked.
Yes" he replied 1.-THE fact is am
not In a position to help you 1 have left
the employ of Messrs. Dowling, Spence
& Company"
"of your own accord7" she inquired
| quietly.
mo, was dismissed" ho confessed
II should have been compelled to\leave
In very short time but Mr.. Bowling
foreetalled me-"
Wont you sit down and tell me about
| it7" she invited.
He looked her in the eyes, square and
unhinching. He was still able to do thatl
ut could not possibly interest you,"
he said.
"And-my sister? You have seen herr"
II have seen your sister" Tavernake
answered, without hesitation.
You have a message for me?'
None" he declared.
"She refuses-to be reconciled. them"
Il am afraid she has no friendly feelings
toward you"
"She gave you no reason?"
mo direct reason" he admitted. but
her attitude is-quite uncompromising."
She rose and swept across the floor to-
she took his worn bowler hat and mended
gloves from his hand Her gesture
guided him toward a sofa.
Beatrice has preJudiced you against
me-" she murmured. "It is not fair.
Please come and sit down-for FIVE
minutes" she pleaded. "I want you to
tell me why you have quarreled with that
funny little man, Mr.. Bowling"
But, madam" he protested.
III you refuse, i snail thlnk that my
sister has been telling you stories about
me-" she declared, watching him closely
Tavernake drew a little away from her,
but seated himself OIL the sofa which she
had indicated. He took UP as much room
as possible, and to his relief she did not
persist in her first intention, which was
obviously to seat herself beside him.
"Your sister has told me nothing about
you whatsoever" he said deliberately.
AT the same time she asked me not to
give you her address,"
1--WE will talk about that presently"
she interrupted. "In the first place, tell
me why you have left your place"
"Mr Dowllng discovered" he told her.
In a matter-of-fact tone, that had been
doing some business on my own account
He was quite right to disapprove. have
not been back to the office since he found
1t out"
what sort OF business?" she asked
"The business of the firm is to buy
property in undeveloped districts and sell
1t for building estate" he explained. "I
have been very successful hitherto in find
ing sites for their operations. A short
time ago ! discovered one so good that
I invested all my own savings in buying
certain lots and have an option upon the