Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1915-02-19

come and see me, every now and then.
and let me know how my sister is. Per
haps you may be able to suggest some
way In which can help her"
Tavernake considered the question for a
moment. lie was angry with himself for
the unaccountable sense OF pleasure which
her suggestion had given him
II am not quite sure" he said whether
had better come, Beatrice seemed quite
anxious that l should not talk about her
to you at all. She did not like my COM
ing today"
You seem to know great deal about
my sister," Elizabeth declared reflectively.
You call her by her Christian name and
you appear to see her frequently. Per-
haps, even, you are fond of her."
TaVernake met his questioners inqulr-
Ing gaze blankly. He was almost indig-
nant.
Fond of herl" he exclaimed 81 have
never been fond of any one in life, or
anything-except my work." he added.
She looked at him little bewlldered at
arst.
oh, you strange personi" she cried,
her lips breaking into a delightful smile.
Don't you know that you haven't be-
gun to live at all YETI You don't even
know anything about life, and at the back
OF 1t all you have capacity. Yes" she
went on, II think that you have the
capacity for living"
Her hand fell upon his with a little
gesture which was half caress. He
looked around him as though seeking
for escape He was on his feet now
and he clutched at his hat.
II must CO." he insisted almost roughly
S"Am 1 keeping your" she asked inno-
Gently. well, you shall go as soon as
you ple:se, only you must promise me
one thing. You must come back, say
within week. and let me know how
my sister is. I am not half so brutal as
you think. I really am anxious about
her. Pleased"
II will promise that" he answered.
"Wait one moment, then" she begged,
turning to the letters by her side. There
Is Just something I want to ask you.
Don't be impatient-it is entirely a mat
ter of business"
All the time he was acutely conscious
of that restless desire to get out OF the
room. The woman's white arms from
which the sleeves of her blue gown had
fallen back, were stretched toward him
as she la2ily turned over her pile OF cor
respondence They were very beautiful
arms and Tavernack, although he had
had no experience, was dimly aware OF
the fact. Her eyes, too, seemed always
10 De ITylUR TeaCn SOME part OIL MN
which was dead, or as yet unborn. He
could feel her striving to get there. beat
ing against tho walls of his Indifference.
Why should woman wear blue stock
ings because she had q blue gown, he
wondered idly. She was not like Beatrice,
this allurlng, beautiful woman, who lay
there talking to him in a manner whose
meaning came to him only in strange,
bewildering fishes. He could be with
Beatrice and feel the truth of what he
had once told her-that her sex was a
thing which need not even be taken into
account between them. With this woman
1t was different; he felt that she wished
It to be different.
Perhaps you had better tell me about
that matter of business next time I am
here" he suggested with an abruptness
which was almost brusque. 81 must go
now. I do not know why have stayed
so long"
She held out her fingers.
You are a very sudden person." she
declared. smiling at his discontinue. "If
you must go!"
He scarcely touched her hand, anxious
only to get away. And then the door
opened and a man of somewhat remark |
able appearance entered the room with |
the air of n privileged person. He was
oddly dressed with little regard to the
fashion of the moThent. His black coat |
was cut after the mode of a past gen.
Grafton. his collar was of the type affected |
by Gladstone and his fellow statesmen, his |
black bow was arranged with studied |
negligence and he showed more frilled |
white shirt-front than is usual in the day
time His silk hat was glossy, but broad
brimmed; his masses OF gray hair,
brushed back from n high, broad fore
head, gave him almost a patriarchal as
pect. His features were large and fairly
well-shaped. but his mouth was weak
and his cheeks lacked the color of a
healthy life. Tavernake stared at him
open-mouthed. He, for his part. looked
at Tavernake as he might have looked at
some strange wild animal.
"a thousand apologies, dear Elizabeth
he exclaimed. 'T knocked, but imagine
that you did not hear mo. Knowing your
habits, 1t did not occur to me that you
might be engaged at this hour of the
'It is a young man from the house
agents." she announced indifferentiy,
come to see me about a nat"
"In that case" he suggested amiably,
4 am, perhaps. not in the way"
Elizabeth turned her head slightly and
ooked at him; he backed precipitately to-
ward the door.
"In a few minutes" he said. "I will
'eturn in a few minutes"
Tavernake attempted to follow his ak
lmple.
There Is no occasion for your friend
o leave" he protested, IF you have
my instructions for us. a note to the
'fics will always bring some ono here to
lee you"
She sat UP on the couch and smiled at
lin. His obvious embarrassment amused
ler 1t was a new sort OF game. this.
.Itogether.
Come, Mr.. Tavernake." she said, 'three
minutes more won't matter. will tit I
will not keep you longer than that. I
lromise"
He came reluctantly few steps back.
81 am sOrry," he explained, "but we
eally are busy this morning"
"This is business" she declared, stiiI
milling at him pleasantly MY sister
las filled you with suspicious about me.
iome OF them may be justihable. some
rs not. / am not so rich as I should
Ike some people to believe. II is so
much easier 70 live we'll. you know, when
eople believe that you are rolling in
money. Still. am by no means a
auper cannot afford to take Gram
ham House. but neither can I afford to
% on living here. I have decided to
mako a change. to tiy and economlze, TO
~ and live within my means. Now will
GU bring me a list OF small houses or
ats, something at not more than say two
ham /