Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1915-06-25
CHATTER TX

CHAPTER TX.
FTHE morning after Hurons unexpecte
i declaration Maud was not surprise
to hear that her mother was confined I
her room with a sick headache and di
not want TO be disturbed She made NJ
attempt to disregard her wishes. Expert
ence had taught her that on such occa
sions Mrs. Plessey had no relish for hei
sympathy or comps nlonship She mucl
preferred the mlnistrations OF Felise
varied by the attentiors OF her favorltt
medical man.
But Maud, as she would herself hav,
put It, was wild with her charming lit.
tie mother this morning Gilbert Huror
had declared himself her lover Mrs
! Plessey knew this, but gave her no hint
how she wns to treat him should he pre-.
sent himself at the house. She knew
also, who Martin Arrol was. but she had
left her daughter without any hint of her
own feelings towards him or any indlca-
tion OF the attitude che proposed to
adopt Maud paced her own room angri-
ly. II was just like her mother, she bit
terly reflected. In case of doubt, trouble
or perplexity of any sort, Mrs. Plessey
took refuge in bed and usually refused
to stir from that frllly fortress till mat
ters had readjusted themselves without
uis VAAOAl vi ntT DHIls lHGTe WHH q GER
tain wisdom In that policy, Maud with a
reluctant smile admitted to herself. She
dismissed her mother and Huron for the
time being with a shrug of her shoulders
After her prolonged absence from Eng
land there were a hundred things for her
to do. She had her wardrobe to replen-
ish, innumerable visits to pay, scores of
letters to answer. All these duties she
would have gladly shelved for the pleas
of nftarnnnn with Martin h,t he
also must be busy at the moment He had
told her that he contemplated parting
with his interest In the ship, that he
wanted to call on his brother, that he
might have to run down to Northumber-
land to see his married sister. Regret
fully she admitted that he was not to
be disturbed at such a moment
She was out all that day. She dined
with some college friends and went with
them TO the theatre. On her return she
inquired after her mother. Mrs. Plessey,
she was told, was asleep. and the doctors
orders were that she was to remain in
bed the whole OF the following day. Maud
smiled little disdainfully She knew
that doctor and his ingratiating methods
OF treatment The servant having an
swered her inquiries, handed her letter
1t was in an unfamiliar hand. She did
not trouble to open II till she reached
her own room, AS soon as she tore open
the envelope her indifference was changed
to delighted eagerness. The letter was
from Martin-the first she had ever re-
ceived from him.
Martin wrote a good love letter. AS
she had already discovered, there was
streak Of romance In his nature which
solitude and long, long vlgils beneath the
stars had not tended TO weaken. In
writing he could indulge his poetic M
ture. free from the restraint which a
mannlsh shyness imposed on his speech
and manner. Maud's checks glowed as
she read her heart beat faster. The let
ter brought back some OF the languorous
charm of those nights on the steamers
deck. She did not kiss the letter, bur
she read 1t again and again, and locked
1t In drawer by itself in her bureau.
That drawer she hoped would one day
be filled with his letters. Then she opened
another drawer and took out some notes
she had received from student admirers.
Some vague sentiment had caused to
preserve them 30 far. Now she looked
at them scornfully and placed them on
the fire. There was no room in her heart
for those pallid little memories. Her love
for Martin had put them out as the sun
puts out the starlight
Martin had not forgotten to keep her
informed of his plans. He told her OF
his meeting with his brother and of his
introduction to Dereve. He proposed TO
see his solicitors within the next two
or three days. He had been persuaded
by his brother to go down to Northum-
berland for the week end. On his return
he must see her wherever she chose to
appoint.
The last envelope was slowly curling
up IN the embrace OF the flame when
Maud heard tap at her door. Before
she could ask who was there, her mother
WHAT You. motherp exclaimed the
girl, surprised. II thought you were un-
der orders not to stir out of bed for an
other "a hours"
color But I felt that must have
talk with you"
Mrs, Plessey sank into an armchair be-
fore the fire. Her frail body was wrapi
n silk komono On her fiuffy hair she
wore one Of the now fashionable boudoir
caps. Her face had lost something OF its
orettiness. Her lips were drawn down at
The corners. there were heavy shadows
Under her eyes. Msud's heart went O'it
n compassion to her.
II wish you had lse mo come to you
.oday" she said Euntly, Il might have
been able 70 cheer you Up. Tell me what
. worrying you. mother. I'm afraid,
though, can guess" She leaned over
her mother and Kissed her.
MIS-. Plessey made no Response. What
sxaetly did Gilbert say 10 you the other
iiEhtY' she demanded gazing GROSSLY at
he nro.
I'VE were talking about things in gem
'ral when he suddenly seized my arm and
Sisssd It. I asked him II he had gone
mad. and he said that he was In love with
no and had been for a long time past"
And what did you say7'
What you may suppose. I told him
he must never dare TO do such a thing
again, that had never looked on him In
hat light, that / regarded him as your
'risnd, not mine. and so forth"
And what did he say2"
Maud looked away and bit her lips.
Mother" she asked, do you care for
hat man-are you in love with himF''
Il suppose was once"
81 thought 80. And this hurts Won. I
Maud's eyes were full OF pity.
Mrs. Plessey drew down the corners OF
Ter lips and smiled ironically. II don't
Inow that II does very much. II comes
.s surprise to me, that's all Though /
uppose 1 ought TO have been prepared
or IT,"
She looked her daughter up and down
nd seemed 10 be making a mental com
'arison. You are younger than I am.
'ou see, though ] don't think you alwavs
o0k Il. But Gilbert has known me for |
ears, and you great big girls appeal 10 /
ome men" She sighed as though depre- /
ating such bad taste. TITS a wonder "a /
le that you should have aneeted him ike /
his. she went on spltefully. "for YOU /
fill excuse my telling you. Maud, that |
he sea ana the sun have played havoc
lith your skin, and this years fashions
M