Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1915-03-29
CHAPTER xx1-tcontlnuedl.

CHAPTER XXI-(Continued).
''No, Mr.. Rutherford, but 1 had reason
to believe that you were-and 1 still do
not understand"
eNor l, fully Now fgg the sake of my
own peace of mind, dibyou, or did you
not, telephone for a physician for me,
the night l was hurt?"
II did not How could !, when l didn I
know you were hurt?'
Did you see Helderman that evening"
mo. II was the next evening
.Good God! then you did go!'
Rutherford struggled to his feet, then
his face went white, and he relaxed again
with a groan. 1t seemed to him that
something essential, something that had
held him upright and made a man Of
him, had been suddenly withdrawn.
The girl, divided between her own pique
and concern for him, hastened to bring
him glass of water.
You are not yourself today" she
said, softly. Another time, perhaps"
"No-now This is torturing me, kill
ing mel oh, l don't mean my back!" he
added with wry smile, as she tried to
rearrange his cushions. "A broken back
IS not half so bad as broken heart!"
A smile struggled for expression,
through the intermingled feelings pic
tured on her face. Craig was jealous!
II see no reason. Mr.. Rutherford she
said. evenly. "why l should explain to
you about Mr.. Heldermans CALL or why
you should misunderstood it."
His call? 1 thought you went up to
see him.
Mr.. Rutherford, have you been in a
fegeHe never heard you talk so wildly?
Call upon him? Certainly mott"
single look at the girl standing be-
fore him with shining eyes and flushed
cheeks, should have convinced Craig that
he was treading upon dangerous ground.
But he blundered on.
Tell me honestly, what is Helderman
to you?" he asked hoarsely.
Billie looked as straight back into his
eyes as she could; but her own eyes were
wide with wonder at his question.
ANSWER me-" he cried.
He has been nothing more TO me than
the merest speaking acquaintance" she
began slowly: then with a touch OF ma
lice she couldn't resist, she added, until
the other night, when he did me the
honor to propose TO mel"
Craig writhed in anguish, mental and
physical At sight of his distress the girl
laughed scared little laugh, patted him
lightly on the head, and then danced
across the room, to evade his wide clutch
ing arms.
"oh. you Man! you Man." she teased
Il should just hate TO be so vindictive, so
suspicious! Yes, could use lots OF
serve them all Here we are wasting valu-
able time in quarreling, and yet you won't
see how they have bean pulling the wool
over your eyes!'
Craig had the grace to feel ashamed OF
himself
Forgive me, Billie" he pleaded.
Very we'll" she replied brisxly. "All [
ask now is that you keep the rest OF your
doubts TO yourself, until we have ended
the present trouble-then you can ask me
all the questions you want to"
And will you answer them right,
Billie?'' he said. He would have given a
good deal just then to have had the use
of his two good legs to carry him over
In the direction of this provoking young
person.
That depends upon how well you be-
have" she replied demurely. But, as l
have already remarked. we are losing
some valuable time. Wait a minute,
please, until l call father"
Before Craig had been given many
moments In which TO wonder what atti.
tude he should assume toward the older
man. the Ballantynes, father and daugh-
ter, entered the room. Mr. BalIantyne
was evidently recovered from his Illness
and looked much better I'm flesh and color
than Craig had formerly seen him. He
walked straight up to the invalid and ex-
tended his hand.
Mr., Rutherford. will you accept my
profound thanks for all you have done
Tor us7" he said; land believe how sim
cerely distressed 1 am over your mis-
Rutherford received his proffered
courtesy In the spirit In which IL was in
sended-a desire to forget past misun-
derstandings.
We must all stand together" he said,
80 ] wiil ask you both to be seated!
fifcffurafely, my man Is out just now,
And I must let my guests wait upon
llemseivea"
Mr. Rutherford. my daughter has told
you q the loss of the papers and the
other buckle. But We must not sit still
tne Fepine our loss We must decide
upon some course OF action, and act
quickly; for the enemy seems possessed
oi ilmltiess energies and resourcefulness.
1ts1 e be too great an imposition upon
your kindness today. II we talk the mat
ter 0Ferl
Certainly not, replied Craig. with
alacrlly I'm right. so long is / sit still.
think Il would be the wisest possible
shing for US TO 80 over the ground and
plan 3 campaign. I win only be too glad
% assist Ia any way I can"
Il eili mean Z great deal 70 Us" re-
piled Mr. Ballantyne warmly; "and
Ike the sound Of plan Of campaign. To
aarrs out the military figure, we win
take orders from you as our general-ouF
..1 I.ll.l = lrin-chlef.H
,n no. protested Craig. "I'll be high
EfItaIe 81 lhe rear ranks"
e4 are already elected TO the other
sl.I.|HH lsHI that right daughtsrG'
t H1Hsa and snlled with = little
craig io9sea ai her Qpizzleaily.
am eaeFal zS orders must
l azasl IHsa e S ISSUED lroza