Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1915-02-26

women, believed that she was indeed
amused.
Neither you nor any one else, dear
Leonardo she exclaimed
"But want you to-" he persisted. II
think that you will"
There was coquetry now in the tantaliz-
ing look she flashed him.
"Am I, too, then, one OF these things
to be attained in your life7" she asked.
"Dear Leonard. you mustn't say II like
that. don't like the look of your jaw.
II frightens me-"
"There is nothing TO be afraid Of In
marrying me-" he answered " should
make you very good husband, Some
day you would be rich, very rich indeed.
I am quite sure that I shall succeed, IL
not at once, very soon. There is plenty
Of money TO be made In the world II one
perseveres."
She had the air Of trying to take him
seriously.
"You sound quite convincing" she ad-
mitted, "but do wish that you would
put all these thoughts out of your mind
Leonard. 1t doesn't sound like you in the
least Remember what you told me that
first night; you assured me that women
had not the slightest part in your life"
"I have changed he confessed. IT did
not expect anything of the sort to hap
pen. but It has. II would be foolish of
me to deny II. have been all my life
learning. Beatrice" he continued, with
sudden curious softnesg In his tone.
"and yet, somehow or other. II seems to
me that never knew anything at all
until lately There was no one to direct
me, no one to show me just what is worth
while In life You have taught me great
deal, you have taught me how little I
know And there are things" he went
on. solemnly, 'of which I am afraid,
things which do not begin even to under
stand. Can't you see how 1t Is with me?
am really very ignorant. I want some
one who understands; 1 want you, Bea-
trice, very badly"
She patted the back OF his hand caress-
ingly.
You mustn't talk like that, Leonard"
she said. II shouldn't make you a good
wife. am not going to marry any one"
And why?" he asked.
She shook her head.
THAT is my secret" she told him, look
ing into the fire.
You mean to say that you will never
marry?" he persisted.
"Oh, suppose shall change. like other
women" she answered. Just at present,
I feel like that
rs It because your sisters mar
riage-"
She caught hold of both his hands; her
eyes were suddenly full OF terror.
you mustn't talk about Elizabeth"
she begged, you please mustn't talk
about her. Promise that you won't.
But 1 came here TO talk about her."
he replied
Beatrice, for a moment, said nothing.
Then she threw down his hands and
laughed once more. AS she flung herself
back in her place, 1t seemed to Taver-
make that he saw once more the girl
who had stood upon the roof of the
clearinghouse.
"You came to talk about Elizabeth"
she exclaimed. "I forgot Well, go on,
what Ia it2'
Your sister is in trouble"
Are you her confiant?" Beatrice
asked
81 am not exactly that" he admitted.
but she has asked me to come and
see YOU"
Beatrice had suddenly grown hard. her
lips were set together. even her attitude
was uncompromising.
Say exactly what you have to say"
she told him. "I will not interrupt"
1T sounds foolish" Tavernake declared,
because I know so little, but 1t seems
that your sister is being annoyed by
man named Pritchard. an American de-
tective. She tells me that he suspects
her of being concerned In some way with
the disappearance of her husband. One
of his reasons is that you left her alb
ruptly and went into hiding. that you will
not see or speak to her She wishes you
to be reconclled."
1T that all?" Beatrice asked.
ut is ALL" he replied, $50 long as you
understand its significance. If you go
to see your sister. or let her come to see
you, this man Prltchard will have one of
his causes for suspicion removed"
80 you came as Elizabeths ambassa-
DOR" Beatrice said. half as though to
herself "Well. here is my answer.
will not go to Elizabeth. If she finds out
my whereabouts and comes here. then
shall go away again and hide shall
never willingly exchange another word
with her as long as I live.''
Tavernake looked at her doubtfully.
"But she is your sister" he explained.
"She is my sister" Beatrice repeated,
land yet what l have said to you l
mean"
There was a short silence, Tavernaks
felt unaccountably i'll at ease. Something
had sprung up between them which he
did not understand. He was swift to
however. the note OF absolute
hnality in her tone.
'I have given my message" he de- |
clared. IT shall tell her what you say.
Perhaps l had better go now"
He half rose to his feet. Suddenly she
lost control of herself.
Leonard, Leonard" she cried. don't |