Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1915-06-26

| wells, was careful to leave the house
| early. on her return she found a note on
/ her dressing table. Her mother gave her
/ her Brighton address and implored her to
| see Huron at once.
The Injunction seemed necessary TO
Oracle Plossey. The majority of her sex,
/ It must be admitted, show no greater
| en- agerness 10 get through with an un-
| pleasant ordeal than to catch n train.
They are not prone to do today what can
be done tomorrow. They make no EFFORT
TO meet pleasure or pain half way. But
Maud was that freak Of nature an Inn
petuous woman. II pleasure was prom
ised she wanted II today, and n pain
threatened, then the sooner she faced It
the better.
She had, OF course, been trained by men
and had freely associated with men at St
Andrews.
Before her mother had reached Bright
on she had ordered a servant to telephone
TO Mr.. Huron, requesting him to call that
afternoon. She could hardly control her
impatience till he came. Inaction and
suspense were for her the severest forms
of torture.
She had not long to walt. At o'clock
she saw him crossing the square. AS she
watched him approach she tried to make
out his expression and wondered what his
sensations were. But when he came
nearer his face betrayed no particular
emotion. He looked before him with that
complacent gravity 30 often seen. on the
faces of well-dressed gentlemen in the
nelghborhood OF South Kensington.
She walked into the room before the
servant had time to close the door behind
him. She closed It herself and ignored
his proffered hand. You can sit down
IL you like" she said with deliberate
rudeness. You and 1 are to have an
unpleasant interview"
He flushed at that and stroked his
white moustache. II enjoy an interview
with you whether the matter discussed
Is unpleasant or not" he said.
Very well, I Will be explicit and as
calm as you Like. My mother has divulged
to me the circumstances Of my fathers
death. 1 understand these are known to
your" She stopped and looked at him.
He nodded.
"Oh!" she cried with a note Of triumph.
Yet in the room downstairs only three
days ago you said you believed Martin
Arrol to be guilty"
Il don't say he wasn't now" replied
the man sullenly. II don't know how
much Oracle has told you, but" He
broke Off and then went on: 'T know to
what extend she is guilty, at all events.
l suspect Arrol Of having had a share
IN It. But you see suppose, why 1
wanted to head you off from Arrol?"
Because you wanted me for yourself"
Partly that, partly for your mothers
sake. II you started him on this trail
again he might find out the guilty person
Now do you understand"
She considered for a moment. "YeB. I
understand" she replied; but II hardly
redeems the baseness of your attitude"
Rot! he burst out Indignantly. He
rose and strobe up and down his end OF
the room. "All these years have done
my best to shield you and Gracie from the
consequences of her crime It is no light
burden to have on my conscience, 1 as
sure you. II 1t were found out, 1 should
be charged with being an accessory after
the fact. You don't suppose I wanted 10 |
take up this attitude, do you? I can see |
that Oracle hasn't told you all oh
m not going to give her away mora |
Than is necessary. But you had better
Know this. wanted to speak at the |
rial-Arrol's trial-but she restrained me. |
Very we'll; he got off; there seemed no |
need to bother Oracle wouldn't let me |
out OF her sight for fear 1 should give |
ler away. Then you began to grow I'm.
cared for you more every inch YOU |
grew. Then there came a time-I Ind |
leard something about this man Arrol- |
When went to your mother and told her
hat must confess what 1 knew. She
mplored me not to-for your sake.
That's all very we'll I said; but when
he time comes for me to tell her, IL
he throws my love back in my face
shall have dishonored and perjured my !