Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1915-03-18
TALKS AND HOUSEKEEPING HINTS FOR
PRACTICAL ARTICLES, BEAUTY tai
THE DAILY STORY
RETH BECOMES ENGAGED

] kOHtt DtNu ltll W MOllhtiluk JuSl WHY Sl'
had promised TO marry him. She gaze,
| about the barren room that was her hom,
| in the boarding house and smile tina
/ was half wistful swept over her face.
Perhaps want a home" she told her.
| SELF and sudden resentment agan5
[ Costello took possession of her. Had III
been one whit less attractive she knew
that he would have pleaded in vain foi
her answer. "He has no right TO be So
good looking" she decided. half angrily
81 was perfectly happy until he cane
along and now | have promised to MARI,
him"
Beth unwound two long ropes Of golden
hair from about her well-poised little
head and began brushing them with uh-
conscious rhythm. She was thinking
deeply and with the soothing sweep "l
the brush Beths mind became calm, an"
she went slowly over each day of ner
short acquaintance with Costello
During the weeks Of his volcanic woonJ
the girl had been carried away from her
cautious, more or less reserved pathway.
So sudden and unexpected had been the
force Of his courtship that Beth scarcely
knew whether or not she loved him unth
she had promised to marry him.
She glanced shyly at her reflection in
the mirror and blush famed into her
cheeks Perhaps Costello could bc for
given for his mad wooing ot her.
The blush died down and again Beth
,I,,t, t,tth
handsome Italian was limited. She knew
too. that the caution which had always
played prominent part in her Iite since
her arrival into the working world had
failed her in this one instance.
She braided her hair very neatly, tied
large pink bow determnedly about the
curling ends and closed her teeth firmly.
"l will go to lawyer tomorrow and
have him look up my future husband. IL
would be foolish to take so important
step as matrimony without a little ad-
vice-Tonio might be married a dozen
with half laugh. But if there were
tears to dampen the softness of her pill
low it was because of the loneliness that
had left her to battle for herself ana 10
seek lawyers when she longed for mother
or father or brother
In the morning, when she went down
into the business district, Beth wore the
cluster of roses that Tonic had sent her.
The tread of her gray-clad feet was
steady and her heart was beating nor
malIy. She felt serene and rather glad
that she had the courage to go to
lawyer and make inquiries regarding her
future husband.
When she had been left at the door
marked James OBrian, attorney at law.
by the elevator man, Beth felt her first
qualm OF nervousness. What would this
lawyer be lke-thts man TO whom she
would have to confde the secret of her
engagement? Would lie be brusque and
inhuman, old or young, attractive or re-
pellent?
Beth drew a steadying breath and
opened the great door. After all, she had
liked his voice when she had made her
appointment over the telephone.
Miss Ladd, | suppose" inquired the |
same voice ms the young lawyer arose to |
greet her. Come this way"
Beth followed him while she suddenly |
why the world had become a |
place of peace and contentment. Could it ,
be possible that the calm, reposeful force
of James O'Brian was already holding
her within its circle? He led the way into
a huge library that had been divided into
many small consulting rooms by rows
upon rows of law books.
Beth felt very much like a small child
who has found its way into collectors
room to demand a toy to play with. She
looked across the table at which she and
lanes OBrian had seated themselves,
and the childlke appeal in her eyes sent
a wave OF sympathy over the lawyer.
And what are your troubles, Miss
add" he asked and found himself
milling.
Beth bit her under lip. then sent q swift
glance at him from beneath her lashes.
81 have become engaged to an Italian
W the name of Antonio Costello. I am
peculiarly alone in the world, and before
marrying him I want TO know If you can
ook him up-for me?"
O'Brian had a sudden belief that he
ould do almost anything for the girl
whose eyes smiled while her lips only re-
used to accompany them by sheer force
Il will. He knew intuitively that fun and
aughter were natural part of Beth
add and that her present dignity was
'hase of her present mood.
'lf YOU will tell me all that you already
now OF him will get you the nforma-
ion," he made answer In perfectly i'm
'ersonal tone, though each know that the
,ther was on the verge of laughter
Why they knew not. Perhaps II was just
he elements OF emotion making joyous
ver the meeting OF two persons.
Later when Beth had told him all she
new OF Costello. and the door had closed
ehind her. James O'Brian did a rather
PECULIAR thing for him. He went to the
window and watched, far down on the
Towded Broadway, until a slim, gray
lad figure had emerged from his office
nd turning a corner disappeared from
light. Occasionally O'Brian had seen his
lents TO the elevator, but never before
lad he watched one out of sight and
With a helpless, whimsical light in his
yes.
she is engaged" he tried to tell him
elf, but his senses refused 10 accept
he fact. One OF the roses from Cos
ello's cluster had fallen to the floor
Brian stopped and picked 1t up.
Ii was ten days before Beth again
anne TO his office. on each of those
EN- days she had called him up and
m each occasion Beth had told herself
/ was to hear about Costello; her heart
yould have told her that thA dav ware