Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1915-03-19
cHAPrER X11I-(contInuedl.

But SheS not the type OF beauty you
admire-most in n grl?" Miss Ballantyne
continued.
"see here, young lady!" Craig said with
assumed severity, "I refuse to answer by
advice of counsel"
you absurd man" said the girl, laugh
Ing and flushing at the same time. Don't
let her break your heart! But lust
wanted to know what she looked like"
why once or twice-when / liked her
most-she reminded me of-youv
"Ah." The girl drew in her breath,
with the sharpest little exclamation.
Manlike, Craig took 1t that she was
pleased with his compliment; and she did
not enlghten him
by the way" he observed, after n
pause, 81 may as well tell you that Miss
Arany has taken quite fancy to me.
When she isn't calling in person, she is
sending her agents, just to see If am
at home!"
'What do you mean?"
Rutherford related with much drollery,
the incidents of that afternoon, which
had eliminated with the sctting-up exer-
else.
Miss Baantyne laughed delightedly at
the story-then suddenly grew thoughtful
'Did they get the necSlace?" she asked
'They did not want the necklace-at
least that's what they said. They're
after-the blue buckle"
"oh!' She reached across the table and
clutched his arm. ''They didn't get that
did they?"
Hardly" he replied, rcassuringly.
I OH
~ Please, please keep it safe! And yet I
feel that | ought not leave 1t with you!"
I'M Why-have you ceased to trust mc?"
mo, you know it's not that-but 1 am
D atriad you Will be watched now. Some
thing might happen to you. They know
It's not in your safe, and will reason
that you have it with you. oh. If any
thing should happen, 1 would never for
give myselfr'
You mean, anything happen to the
bucke?"
IN Yes-and to you, tool"
Her VehemenCe had led her to say more
than she had intended. Rutherford softly
imprisoned the pleading fingers which
mad rested upon his arm.
Would you really care?" he whispered
Dont-you mustntr' she said, trying
TO release her hand.
Would you?' he pleaded.
"Mr Rutherford, we are out in a pub
nc place." she protested. Besides you
Know you could not-lilSe-a girl you have
not been able to trust!"
She said 1t brightly. but there was
little culver of her lip. Craig WINGED in
spite of himself. She was quick to note
II, and rose from the table.
Tome. we must be going" she said.
"a 10 not accuse me of not trusting" he
protested, as he helped her into her
COAX II have trusted you-ln spite of
many things could not underestimate
KNOW have Ia httr
Hedly' But 1 cannot explain all-yet"
Crais was forced to take comfort in that
l1st word, as they emerged out upon the
SIDEWALK. After they had gone a little
way, a short. stout man. who had sat
patiently on a flight of steps opposite the
cafe all the time they were within, rose
from MS cramped position behind the
stone newel-post that had screened him
from from sight and walked leisurely after
mem lie was careful, however, to keep
on the opposite side of the street.
rutherford mounted the steps of her
nome, with Miss Ballantyne.
iou must have wondered" she said,
why we came to see you last night. and
"id you so much about ourselves"
was too much pleased to be curious
no replied promptly.
The corners of her lips trembled; then
msy curved into that satisfactory smile.
a. lou never miss much In life by failing
express yourself-frankly!" she said.
quizzlcally.
Il let you know how much | cared
,Sr you, when thought you were mar
,ied Why should 1 hesitate when
Anow you are not?"
You shouldn't have done II either then
0I now" she reproved.
80 that's settled" he said ambigu-
You are like nobody else but your
sei' she said quantity. That's why
seems possible to trust you, and to
ssk you to-do hard things. Father. Of
% %vOurse, couldn't understand. but 1 knew
4, Something elseY' he asked, happy In
taking.
Yes. That was what we wanted to
'ik with you about-if you didn't mind"
~, ne didn't mind They were in the
.le Vestibule by now, and under pre-
Ssense OF helping her with the key he was
necessary.
You will understand that there is no.
uy-that is, nobody with intelligence, in
1'as country, outside Of my father, whom
eouia trust. l do not count SOphie-she
servant. There Is no one else but
sou. You Will understand that father Is
sohuhually ILL., He Is nerVous-always
nlused' he was a strong man once,
lsther physically and mentally. and
le Will be strong man again when all
ms Is over with. But he has SO much
~ mink about that lie can hardly think at
~ ana besides. 1t Is and not my father
rt mo must - prominent In this affair
US strange legacy Is for me. This win
~ only ignSres my father-it prohibits
n Lrom sharing In Il; II prohibits me
ftsA from living underneath his roof. BY
~ terms Of this will the relations OF
ef and daughter must be actually sew
We have severed them technically.
arg lying up 70 the letter OF the viii
erartH
Peig 81 rtsa But ths sigl hsla him