Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1915-02-13

the drawing room at Harptree and stared
out at the driving rain. An open book lay
on her knee, but 1t had been open at the
same place for nearly an hour. Her
thoughts were far away in London. now
with her mother, now with Jim Travers,
the two people she loved best in the
world. Her outlook on life was as gloomy
as the view from the window. 1t seemed
as though the sun would never shine
through the clouds again. By a cruel de-
cree of fate her heart was torn asunder
by those she loved. Whether she married
Jim Travers without her mothers con-
sent, or whether she did not marry him,
there could only be unhappiness for her
In the future.
Then there was the quarrel between her
mother and John Erleigh. She was long
Ing to bring these two together again,
but could see no way of doing 1t. When
the servants had told her of her mothers
visit on the previous day, she had rushed
to her fathers study to hear the good
news. But at the first sight OF her faith
ers face hope had died away again. She
knew that there had been no reconcilia-
ton. Whatever had happened to divide
them. the sting of 1t still remained. 1t
could have been no mere quarrel. It was
something more serious-something that
had bitten deep into their two lives.
She was wondering whatever could have
been the cause of separation between two
people who were SO fond of each other
when the door opened and John Erleigh,
still in his cap and gown, entered tho
room. He placed his cap on the top of
the plano and came toward Joan with
a letter in his hand. His cheeks were
flushed, and there was an unusual sparkle
in his eyes.
Good news" he said with = laugh.
"Can you guess what It is2'
The girl shook her head, and then.
springing to her feet, came towards him.
"You-you don't mean." she stam-
mered. that mother is coming back here
for good7"
mo, my dear child.'' Erleigh. answered
with a smile. "Your mother has to go
back to the south OF France. She only
came over here on business, and Is going
back TO Nice tomorrow. But this letter
is from her. Now can't you guess the
good news7'
NO" she faitered. and all the light
died out OF her eyes.
"Why. you little goose, your mother
has written to say that she viii give her
consent to-"
She flung her arms round him. stining
the words on his lips.
"Oh, you dear you dearl'' she cried
"oh, how splendid-how-how wonderful
but let me read the letter-every word
OF it."
His fingers elpSed on the letter. crump-
ling II into a ball OF paper. She tried TO
force 1t out OF his hand.
'No, Joan-no, my child" he said,
rather sharply. There are things In this
letter that are not for your eyes But
you can take 1t from me that your
mother has withdrawn her objection 70
your marriage, and she wants to see you
in London before she leaves for Nice.
You are to go up by the o'clock train
tomorrow morning"
He crossed the room and dung the LETT
ter into the hre, When the blaze had died
away he turned to Joan and asked her
II II wasn't time for tea.
Yes, OF course-hoW selfish Of me, and
you haven't much time. have your You
have to be at work again Ia half an
hour"
She rang the bell. but before the ser
want brought Ia the tea the sound OF a
motorcar was heard outside ana the girl
brought in q note. John Erlsish tore Il
open ana hia fac4 daFkened
"lm aeai9 4 caat stop foF Eszs Joan.'