Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1915-02-16

absorbs all my interests"
They had finished breakfast and he paid
the bill. She began 70 put on her gloves
Whatever happens TO me-" she said,
II shall never forget that you have been
very kind"
She hesitated for a moment and then
shs seemed TO realize moro completely
how really kind he had been. There had
been n certain crude delicacy about his
actions which she had under-appreciatod.
She leaned towards him. There was Moth
ing left this morning OF that dlsnguring
sullenness. Her mouth was soft; her eyes
were bright, almost appealing. II Taver-
make had been a Judge OF womanB looks,
he would certain have found her attrac-
tive.
II am very. very grateful to you"
she continued, holding out her hand. II
shall always remember how kind you
were. Good-bye"
"You are not golnsr' he asked.
She laughed.
why. you didn't imagine that you had
taken tho care OF me upon your shoulders
for the rest of your lifei" she demanded.
mo, didn't imagine that" he aswered.
"At the same time, what plans have you
nader Where are YOU golngr
"ohl L shall think OF something" she
declared. indlfferently.
He caught the gleam in her eyes, tho
sudden hopelessness which fell like
cloud upon her face. Ho spoke promptly
and with decision.
"AB a matter of fact" he remarked.
you do not know yourself. You are Just
going to drift out of this place and very
likely find your way to a seat on the
Embankment again."
Her lips quivered. She had tried to be
brave but II was hard.
mot necessarily" she replied. Some
thing may turn up"
He leaned n little across the table to-
wards her.
Listen" he said, deliberately. II will
make a proposition to you. 1t has come
to me during the last few minutes. am
tired of the boarding house and wish to
leave It. Tho work which 1 do at night
is becoming moro and more important
I should like to take two rooms some
where II take third, would you care
to call yourself what 1 called you to the
charwoman last nlght-my sister? 1
should expect you to look after the meals
and my clothes, and help me in certain
other ways / cannot give you much of
a salary" he continued but you would
have an opportunity during the daytime
OF looking out for some work, IL that Is
what you want, and you would at least
have a roof and plenty to eat and drink "
She looked at him in blank amazement.
1t was obvious that his proposition was
entirely honest.
But. Mr.. Tavernack," she protested.
"you forget that 1 am not really your
sister"
Does that matter?' he asked. without
flinching. 'I think you understand the
sort of person I am. You would have
nothing to fear from any admiration on
my part-or anything Of that sort" he
added. with some show of clumsiness.
Those things do not come into my life.
am ambitious to get on. to succeed and
become wealthy. Other things I do not
even think about
She was speechless. After a short
pause, he went on.
"I am proposing this arrangement as
much for my own sake as for yours.
am very we'll read and 1 know most OF
what there Is to be known in my profess
sion. But there are other things concern
ing which 1 am ignorant. Some OF these
things 1 believe you could teach me-"
Still speechness, she sat and looked at
him for several moments. Outside, the
station now was filled with a hurrying
throng on their way to the days work.
Engines were shrieking, bells ringing, the
press OF footsteps was unceasing. In the
dark. ill-ventilated room itself there was
the rattle OF crockery, the yawning of
dlscontented-looking young women behind
the bar, young women with their hair
still in curl-papers, as yet unprepared for
their weak little assaults upon the good
nature or susceptibility of their GUS
toners. A queer corner of life 1t seemed.
She looked at her companion and realized
how fragmentary was her knowledge OF
him, There was nothin. to be gathered
from his face. He seemed to have no ex-
preston. He was simply waiting for her
reply, with his thoughts already half
engrossed upon the business OF the day.
"Really," she began. II"
He came back from his momentary
wandering and looked at her. She sud-
denly altered the manner of her speech.
1t was a strange proposition, perhaps. but
this was one OF the strangest OF men.
II am quite willing TO try it, she de-
clded. "Will you tell me where 1 can
meet you later on?"
~ have an hour and a half for luncheon
at l o'clock" he said. Meet me ex-
actIy at the southeast corner of Trafalgar
Square. Would you like little money!
he added, rising.
ST have plenty, thank you" she an
Bwered.
He laid half-a-crown upon tho table
and made an entry In a small memo
randum book which he drew from his
pocket
''You had better keep this" he said,
Sin case you want It. am going TO leave
you alone here. You can find your way
anywhere, L am sure, and I am in a