Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1915-06-24
CHAPTER VII.

aEAUD re-entered the mouse IN lug
lV worth Square in what might be de-
scribed as a mood Of general exaltation,
sbe had a supreme object and purpose
n life. Hand in hand with her lover she
was going to fight the world and force
rocety to it's knees. Had Martin not
b,en the man she loved she vowed she
would have done as much. He was a
fouly injured man and the responsibility
,ested largely upon her own family.
she had been awake before the dawn
nat day and she had felt heavy and
,lsepv in the forenoon. But excitement
bsnshed all hope of sleep for some hours
noW. She resolved to await her mothers
return, which, unless Mrs. Plessey had
changed her habits during her exile,
would not be till the small hours. Maud
nir wore the coat and skirt which she
had donned Immediately on her return
home early that morning To pass the
time she took out the newest and most
becoming dinner dress, of soft white
satn and filmy lace, and switching on
ihe carefully shaded lights above the
dressing table, began to robe herself
slowly and carefully. She was dressing
FOR Martins eyes, though she knew there
was no earthly chance Of seing him.
But as she arranged the soft draperies
Of satin about her form and pinned
great crimson velvet rose into her waist
belt she was wondering all the time what
effect she would produce on him when
he saw her in all her fnery. He had
proiessed to find her beautiful in her
stained old khaki riding habit.
She turned her head from side to side
ana surveyed herself with frank pleas
ure IN the different mirrors from every
point of view Really 1t was astonishing
how beautiful she was. She had never
rallied 1t before. 1t was Mrs. Plessey
who was held to be the beauty of Edg-
worth Square, and though she had re-
celved considerable homage from raw un-
dergraduates, they had been little over
aEed by her and had mostly adored her
IN silence from a distance. But there
was no doubt al )ut the radiant reflection
that faced her in the mirror. Her eyes
were shining like stars in dusky sky;
The long chains of pearls that fell from
her bare shoulders intensified the gleam-
ing whlteness of her skin. She felt quite
ready to conquer the world, but alas! in
that big empty house there was no one
70 conquer. 1t was really rather
shame.
She swept down the stairs, perhaps for
the first time conscious of her infinite
qneenly grace. She entered the drawing
room, She was amused to find it had
Undergone another transformation during
her absence. 1t was Mrs. Plessey's am
hion to catch the dernier cri in all and
egerything, not less in the matter of
fairgrounds for her own chameleon-like
personality than in the matter of dress,
waist line or complexion. The room was
now decorated and upholstered in black
aad white on some vivid cubist plan.
Maud lit cigarette and walked about,
saamlniny the furniture and criticising
me scheme from various points of view.
While she was thus occupied. she heard
me serunch of wheels in the street be-
oW and minute after the sound of a
Key turning in the lock. She had hardly
expected her mother to return so soon
before she had realized her mistake
she door opened and Gilbert Huron en-
Look here, Gracie," he began. Then
ne stopped abruptly and stared at the
souhg beauty before him. His momentary
ssalpflse died away in an expression Of in
,snse admiration. He stood, his hand on
ne door surveying her. His duh eyes
sselned suddenly shot with flame. his lips
uenoied little as he came towards her.
4, treat Scott, Maudie." he exclaimed,
=, hardly knew you. By Jove. you look
a moment before she had been craving
~ admiration. Somehow from his lips 1t
ssuhaed nat and vulgar. Good gracious!
..v Is exclaimed, pufiing at her cigarette,
tou nave seen me often enough to know
rhat look like. You wanted 10 see
mother. suppose?'
nuIon did not answer the question. II
ufshled ne could not gaze enough at her.
s ,- came slowly forward into the queer
-.aspie room, with which the black and
en- se OF MS evening dress was quantity in
sleofd; He laid his crush hat on a chair
w pulled on his gloves. his eyes all the
'ul'e hAed on her face and form.
, one moved listlessly about the room, her |
itsefette more often between her fingers
bl bn her lips. She was not thinking about !
~, Won't you sit down. dear girl?" he |
49, moving over TO the fireplace. Il |
20 nave chat with you"
,s, sae looked at him keenly, almost super
,setls,y over her white shoulder, He
.i-e..el i,el no doubt to speak OF the matter |
~ ssea between them that morning. |
~, tslt ne was hostile to Martin and re-
~ 70 say nothing OF her expedition |
lfiss's,asss evening or OF her researches at the
a. what do you want to talk about2" she
hi - iathef GROSSLY, sinking into a chair |
pitpnt OF him ana crossing her knees.
= \ seemed somehow at a loss TO begin. |
s'bsi ssaolsht about you a tremendous lot |
neFgorssou you We're away" he blurted out |
~. you told me that this morning"
,os sala' smiling 1T was very good OF |
M A. once she became conscious OF
aogiss ins In his gaze she had never /
ihs NJ NJ. before Their eyes met. She felt
81 oa erimsoning her face and neck.
~ rose abruptly and walked toward /
~. einaow as,sow What Is the matter With /
rss.. eipert9' she asked hurriedly you |
,6sf,'5 oo tonight. Too much tango or
ese. l9loHed her across the room and |
close up 10 her She felt his breath |
<lAt her shoulder.
me- you guess, Maud?" he said IN a /
r felee Haven't you seen II IN my /
M e1ese three years past. ever since /
scheolgirl7 An you don't 4
NJ. ..ta Maud. You look on me as an 4
almost IS q father. love you, 4
tsa her arm ana kissed Z pas
't wheeled round out qf ldo clutch