Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1915-06-22
The Daily Story
Cupid, Canine VS.. Count


marked James Easley, better known as
Jimmy lounging in an easy chair in his
| bachelor apartments and addressing q
| bulldog for want of a better confldant.
| Think Of a lover here in tho 10th CEN
tury, anxious to wed the girl of his
| choice, yet unable even to see her be-
cause an obdurate father has tho dutiful
daughter securely guarded in a country
| house. And what is worse, the announce
| ment has been made of her engagement
to some foreign fellow whose father hap
| pens to have had a title. Bess doesn I
| want to marry Count Bolenski, and L
| don't blame her, but just how to prevent
| the match and assume the role of BRIDE
| groom myself an arrangement mutually
agreeable. is more than 1 can figure out
| just now"
NTadge Whltworth and he always had
been friends, and 1t was to her he hur-
ried that he might enlist her aid In per-
fecting and carrying out his scheme
For nearly an hour they sat on the
big window seat and discussed Jimmy
scheme. Whatever the plan was, both
young persons certainly regarded 1t as
excellent, for frequently the silvery laugh
of the girl and the bass Of the man rang
out together, fully attesting their con-
fidence of ultimate success And the in
terview had been so encouraging to
Easley that he was smiling the old smile
lIldI Uhu Iudue MN ldlHOuS III NOlACbo
when he left tho house. Apparently the
weight of recent worry was lifted from
his mind.
Immediately after his departure Madge
hurried to the telephone and called for
the country home of Jonas Almond. Her
request that she be permitted to speak
with Miss Almond, who in truth was
allowed little more liberty than the in
mate of jail, at first met with nat
refusal; but perseverance had its reward
and finally tho fair prisoners hello"
sounded over tho wire. Madge cautioned
Bess to say nothing that would indicate
what was being told her, but to listen
and remember. They talked for several
minutes. Smiling at the surprise her
message must have caused the girl at
the other end of the line Madge finally
hung up the receiver without waiting for
a reply. then started to her ROOM
The following afternoon precisely at
o'clock a closed carriage was driven
up the avenue of tall naples which led
from the public road to the imposing
homo in the very centre of Shady Grove.
the Almonds country estate. No sooner
had the vehicle stopped than a woman,
closely veiled, alighted and walked brisk
ly up the broad steps as IL bent on busi-
ness OF the utmost Importance Speaking
rapidly to the butler who appeared at
the door in response to her ring, she was
shown into the hallway, and a moment
later a maid reported to Miss Almond
that the modiste for whom she had sent
desired to see her. Laughingly bewaillng
the fact that she was constantly at tho
mercy of those who designed her clothes.
the young woman instructed the maid
10 bring the caller to her room imme-
diately.
."Madge."
"Bess."
The words. the embrace and the re-
ture of the servant left on doubt but
that the dictator of fashions was most
welcome. For several minutes the two
girls talked excitedly, but always In low
tones, Bess ever watching lest some one
enter the room or attempt to spy upon
them. When the conversation closed Miss
Armond was informed concerning tho
plans for frustrating her wedding TO the
foreign nobleman and for concentrating
a marriage much moro to her liking, as
the blush suffusing her cheeks told all
too plainly. AS Madge rose to so. tho
imprisoned girl threw both arms about
her visitors neck and was about TO cry
from excess of Joy when the door swung
open suddenly and Jonas Almond walked
IN.
"Yes, I think the change you suggest
in the waist will be all right" began
the daughter, but she could not conceal
her happiness. She spoke in a most mat
ter OF fact tone and with an air OF final
ity that indicated that the interview was
at an end With bow to the father and
a nod OF approval to the young lady. the
stranger left the room.
From that moment Bess was very diff
ferent person. She went about singing in
stead Of signing; laughing instead of cry
ing, and manifesting every interest in
the plans for her marriage to Count Bo-
lensld. So complete was the transforma-
tion that she playfully teased her father
about how she would seorn him. a mere
American, after she had become a mem-
Der OF the nobility.
The days that followed were no better.
II seemed as though some faint hope, the
presence OF which he had scarcely sus-
pected, but which had. nevertheless,
helped him to endure life, had departed.
He Ehrank, too. from the thought OF a
visit TO the young couple But a promise
given was a promise kept And he rea-
soned that Bob-he would not even 70
himself say her husband-might draw
conclusions. So he nerYed himself one
evening 70 make the call
Both ladlesq All. welli Margery had
acquired a husband and baby then why
not also q mother-in-laWf But II struck
4NaNh AustN the uAatAAAAAy AvyhlAa p5heeAA
who preceded Aargery into the room was
too young 70 be a mother-in-law. The
next instant he knew who she was
Margery's older sister, OF course Strange
that he had not once thought Of her.
Had any doubt remained AIargery'H .
face, as she came forward 10 shake hands,
would have removed IT. It was SO comi-
cally guilty. He never knew what he
said 10 Mrs. Hunt only II was an im-
rnense relief when that wise young
woman. pleading the baby as an excuse,
left the room.
"aiarReryi How could you play such
3 cruel joke on uef