Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1915-02-16
CHAPTER v.
INTRODUCING MRS. wHNHAM
GARDINER

CHAPTER v.
INTRODUCING MRS. wENHAM
GARDNER.
very distinguished client was enene-
ing the attention Of Mr.. Dowilns, Senior.
Of Messrs. Bowling, Spence q Company.
auctioneers and estate agents. whose Of.
fees were situated in waterloo Place,
Pail Mall. Mr.. Dowlins was fussy
little man Of between 80 and 60 years.
who spent most OF his time playing
golf, ana who, although he studiously
contrived to ignore the fact, had long
since lost touch with the detaiIs Of hia
business. Consequently, In the absence
OF Mr.. Dowling. Junior. who had de-
veloped marked Partially for a certain
bar In the locality, TavernalSe was hastily
summoned to the rescue from another
part OF the building, by a small boy
violently out of breath. Naei
never see the governor In such a fuss"
the latter declared, conhdentiaiiy. She's
asking no end of questions and l1o don't
know thing"
who lB the lady7'' Tayernalka mixed
on the way downstairs
Didn't hear her name," the boy re-
piled She's all right, though, can
tell you-e regular siap-up beauty Such
a motorcar, too! Flowers and tables and
al sorts or things inside. BY Jove, won't
.ne sovernor tear his hair IL she goes
before you get there!" t
Tavernako quickened his steps and in a
rev moments knocked at the door OF the
private office and entered. His chief
welcomed him with a gesture OF relief
The distinguished client of the firm. wfose
attention he was endeavorlng to engage.
had glanced toward the newcomer. at his
hrst appearance, with an air OF some
what bored unconcern Her eyes, how
ever, old not Immediately leave his face
On the contrary, from the moment OF
his entrance she watched him steadfastly.
Tavernake. stolid. unrufhed. at that time
without comprehension, approached the
| desk "
This is-er-Mr. Tavernake, our man
ager," Mr.. Dowling announced. obse-
quiously. I'm the absence OF my son, he
is In charge of the letting department.
| have no doubt that he will be able to
suggest something suitable, Tayernake,,
he continued, this lady."-he glanced at
a card in front of hinl-"Mrs. Wenham
Gardner. of New York, is looking for n
town house. and has been kind enough
to favor us with an inquiry"
| Tavernake made no immediate reply.
Mr.. Dowllng was short-slghted. and in
| any case 1t would never have occurred
| to him to associate nervousness, or any
| form of emotion. with his responsible
manager. The beautiful lady leaned back
| in her chair. Her lips were parted in
slight but very curious smile. her fingers
| supported her cheek, her eyelids were
contracted as she looked into his face.
| Tavernake felt that their recognition was
mutual Once more he was back again
| In the tragic atmosphere of that chcTnists
shop, with Beatrice, half fainting, in hs
arms, the beautiful lady turned to stone.
1t was an odd tableau. that, SO vividly Inn
| WA
there before him at this very moment
| There was mystery in this woman's eyea
mystery and something else.
"I don't seem to have come across any
thing down here which--er--particular
attracts Mrs.-Mrs. Wenham Gardner"
Mr.. Bowling went on, taking up a little
sheaf OF papers from the desk. II
| thought, perhaps, that the Bryanst0n
| Square house might have suited, but It
seems that 1t is too small, far too small.
Mrs Gardner Is used to entertaining. and
has explained to me that she has a great
many friends always coming and going
| from the other side OF the water. She
| requires. apparently. IL bedrooms. be-
side servants quarters"
your list is scarcely up to date. SIR
Tavernake reminded him. eff the rent
is OF no particular object, there is Gran
than House."
Mr.. Dowlings face was suddenly illumi-
mated.
''Grantham Houser he exclaimed.
PRECISELY Now declare that It had
absolutely slipped my memory for the
moment-only for the moment mlnd-that
we have just had placed upon our books
one of the most desirable mansions in the
west end of London. most valued
client, too. one whom we are most anxious
to obllge. Dear, dear me! Ii Ii very
fortunate-very fortunate Indeed that l
happened to think OF It, especially az It
hat mn haH haA
to place It upon my list. TavernalSe, get
the plans at once and show them to-er--
to Mrs. Gardner"
Tavernake crossed the room in silence
opened a drawer, and returned with ;
stifr roll OF papers, which he spread care
fully out in front OF this unexpected
client. She spoke then for the nrst time
since he had entered the room. Her voics
was low and marvelously sweet There
was very little of the American accent
about It, but something In the intonation.
especially toward the end OF her sent
ences. was Just a tribe un- English.
Where is this Grantham House1" she
inquired,
within stones throw Of Grosvenor
Square" Tavernake answered. brislSly.
ut is really one OF the most central spots
In the west end, II you will allow met
For the next few minutes he was very
fluent indeed. With pencil IN hand. he
explained the plans. dwelt on tho ad-
yantages OF the location. and from the
very reserve OF his praise created an I'm.
preston that the house he was descrih-
ing was the one absolutely perfect doml-
cile in the whole OF London.
Can look over the placer" sha asked.
when he had finished.
by all means" Mr. DoWling declared.
''by all means. I was on the point q
suggesting It. II win be by far the most
satisfactory proceeding. You VIII not ba
disappointed. my dear madam. can a.
sure YOU"