Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1915-02-12

suggest, Joan; you and will go up to
town. I can manage it tomorrow"
"oh. you dear, you dear' said Joan.
kissed him.
H. GRACE. how shocklngly Ill you
look" said Erleigh when he was
shown into his sisters bedroom.
''Yes, am ILL.," she answered in a hard,
strained voice. mo, please, do not kiss
melt may be something infectious - 1
am sickening for something. Is Joan with
your"
':Yes-in the other room"
with my SOM"
"Yes, Grace-oh, I do wish we could
make those two happy. I have tried my
hardest, but Anne
81 have had letter from her." Mrs.
Travers interrupted. "It is here-on the
table by the side Of the bed. You had
better read It,"
mot now. Grace. I've come here to-
Read the letter. please" she said
harshly. He picked It up and read as
follows:
Dear Mrs Travers II am much
troubled about my daughter Joan. as I
am afraid she is not inclined to dismiss
your son entirely from her thoughts. 1t
Is possible that even her love for her
mother may not be strong enough to pre-
vent her from taking a step that she will
repent all her life. / have decided, there
fore, to tell her the truth about you.
am. yours faithfully
ANNE wAHBERLEY."
He folded up the letter and replaced 1t
in its envelope.
my wife must not be allowed to do
that" he said, after a pause. II do not
think 1t is at all necessary. You particu-
larly wish this kept from your son.
can see what will happen. Joan is very
young and romantic. She will tell her
mother that this makes no difference to
her. Then my wife will go to your son.
and he-it is your son who will not
marry Joan. His fine, artistic tempera-
ment-"
"You need not go on" said Mrs. Trayers
in hard voice "Both you and your wife
win do as wish in this matter. have
not yet decided what Is best for my son.
II is not for you to decids-you, who killed
hts father"
For a few moments there was silence
In the room Then Erleigh DRIED out,
"Gracel" and 1t was a cry OF horror. He
stood motlonless. Even his lips did not
seem to move. as he spoke that single
word The woman looked at him steadily.
Her deep blue eyes glowed with hre. She
had raised herself on one elbow and was
looking at him. her ruddy gold hair fall
ing about her shoulders like flames.
you wonder why am mr." ahe went
on in the same cold voice. NOW you
know"
There was another spell Of silence. Then
Erleigh said In a whisper:
''Vsrtigan told your You have known
-all this timer
mo. It was only yesterday I knew.
He left letter TO be given TO me after
his death"
''whsre is the letter." he cried. hoarss-
~. ut is q lie-a terrible lie!''
She did not trouble 20 answer him. she
lay back on her pillow ana closed her
eyes.
''No. It Is true" he said nercely. after a
pause. Il struck the blow for your honor.
II was to save your honor that / played
tho coWaEd-and ruined my whole life.
kept the truth from you-for your sake,
not for mine"
she dld not move or speak. Eho lay ike
one ssho Is dead-so atill that John Erlsigh
came 4 step nearer 70 the bed and bent
over her.
Grace. he said In q low voice. God
forgive me n have done you any harm.
IL YerfiEan has told you the truth. you
viii uBdeEstond-hoW felt when I lszrnt
that Rochford-1 met him b. aceident-I
only intended 70 give him 3 thrashIns.
and thsn-Grace. must ses that letter
] must know whether you have been told
tne fFufh or . lie"
Tha Homan's efzs epenad and she zazed
steadily & ais Ha4e f4cs
ts Istfer e S ng bank sba sad