Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1915-02-24
EEPING HINTS AND SPRING FASHIONS FOR EV
THE DAILY STORY
THE TELLTALE RECORD

miniature pansy beu Wnen the crunchinB
| sound of gravel beneath somebody's firm
stepping feet brought her head around
| alertly.
"Caryl NY goodness Did you go to
the front door and ring the bell?"
Never approached anybody's house in
that conventional manner laughed the
young man, in natty blue serge and a
rakish Panama hat. But why that par
| ticular question in greetlng7"
| "S-sh! | know It sounded funny, but
my first thought--why Minna's here!
| She's upstairs now. l thought IL you
had rang the bell"
"The deuce, Harriet II ia known
well, there's n train back to little old
! New York In about 30 minutes"
Young Alvord retreated with his face
solemn and drawn into wrinkles of an
| noyance. His cousin followed him to the
steps of the back porch, busting her
| hands lightly, one against the other
| I'm so sorry, Cary. l had no idea you
would spring in on us in this way And
| Mlnna came yesterday most unexpect-
| edly."
| Mrs Pell spoke in suppressed tones,
and Cary lowered his own voice to a
whisper when he answered
Don't worry. You couldn't help II.
It's a bit awkward; but we shan't meet.
She needn't know l came here at all,
Harriet"
"I know you don't want to see her"
And she isn't pining for my society"
"Oh, no. Mnna's very bitter. She won't
even speak of YOU and once. when your
name was mentioned by chance, she
positively froze. Cary, believe she hates
you'll She's alwully intense, you know"
II know" The young mans lips
twisted in smile, slightly mocklng The
memory of that last interview with Minna
In rage was still fresh Intense seemed
the proper word for his former sweet
At- In hnr dnft
moods-how lovely, how alluring she
could be!
Mrs. Pell. looking into her cousins
darlgened face, gave little sigh. How
these two young persons, once such dot
ing lovers, had grown into fierce, chilling
enmtyl
Harriet Harrietv
A full, musical voice came from the
upper hall.
"Goodnessl She's coming down! You
can't go round the house now" she
whispered breathlessy. "In here, Cary.
I'll coax her into the garden and then"
She pushed her visitor into a shallow
closet under the stairs and slipped into
the living room. Through the door, which
refused to close. Cary could see the white
gowned figure that futtered down the
stairs and across the hallway The main
entrance of the living room was in line
with his hiding place; and his eager eyes
followed every motion of his onetime
sweetheart
She carried something in her hand.
and she went to the cabinet that stood
between the windows
Il want you to hear the new record
brought with me- she said. at is a
great favorlte of mine"
To conceal her nervous agitation Mrs.
Pell was stepping around the room re-
arranging bits of bric-a-brac and draper
les. Then she slipped into the adjoining
dining room.
"I'll give Dicky bird his morning bath
while you play for US, Minna," she said
carelessly.
Mnna slipped the new record into place,
and the next instant II soft sweet pho
nographic music stirred the air Behind
the closet door there was an uneasy
movement as the young man In hiding
recognized the opening bars of Strelezkl's
Happy Days" Minnas favorite? Why,
that was his favorite! He had always
asked ner to sing 1t for him. and she
had always sung 1t with appealing fervor
Carys heart leaped now at the old ia
miliar strains. Why had Minna brought
that record here? Why should she even
wish to hear the song agaln-the favor
lite song of the man she hated? Be-
wildered and racked by conflicting emo
tions, ne pressed his face to the narrow
opening and peered out into the room
opposite.
Minna was standing beside the cabinet
with dropping shoulders and bowed head
shaft of light shot across her white
draperies and warm-tinted brown braids
Her profile looked sad; and. as Cary
watched. she raised her hands and
pressed them tragically together.
lawfully sweet. What Is it?'' called !
Mrs Pell. 1--WE heard 1t before, but 1
can't place It. Do you sing 1t, Minna?"
A moments silence, and the record be-
gan a second round of melody, Happy |
Days"-wnat a mockery. thought Cary |
more upset by the unexpected entertain |
ment than he would have cared to ad-
nit Then, Minna's rich voice softly took |
UP the refrain and blended with the So
prano tones that rose above the plain |
tive strains of the violin and the throb- |
bling means of the cello. She sang a |
few bars, and her voice broke suddenly
Minna crying-playing and singing his
favorite song and crying! IL was the
most perplexing thing that had ever hap
pened to him. A sudden light seemed to
All the stufry, dark little closet under the
stairs. Then, Mrs. Pells voice broke |
the spell.
II want you to see my pansles, Minna.
They're coming along splendidly."
The two women passed out into the
little garden. Cary knew that he had
been given the signal for departure This
was his chance to disappear The way
was clear He would have just time to |
catch his train. The closet door swung
open cautiously.
In the garden Mrs. Pell was leading
her guest from the house. She looked at
Minna ftlrtlveIy How very lovely the
girl was in that tender, reflective mood,
with her brilliant eyes softened to vel
vety blue tlnts.
Suddenly the white-gowned figure stood
stifiy erect, with head uplifted and
startled gaze. Whats thGt?" The ques-
tion came sharply, 1t was the opening
strains OF the Strelezh melody that trem-
bled upon the air. "some one Is playing
my record. How strangsv
Mrs. Pell looked gulluly at the win
dows, but she made no move to accom-
pany her guest to the house. AS though
hypnotized by the mysterious music,
Minna passed along the narrow path, up
the porch steps. over the threshold, and
out OF sight
Cary looked up as the girl entered
alone, wondering, psrturbed, but scarcely
prepared for this meeting. She drew
back, flushing and stammering;
''You-youl But how-Mr. Alvord, how
long have you been herer'