Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1915-03-06


with which the girl had looked after him
had made Rutherford believe her tho so
licitous daughter. Moreover. they occu-
pied separate staterooms, her own being
! located Just across the corridor from
Rutherford's. Stil he could not be sure.
and he was too much Of n gentleman to
pry into condolences that were not invited.
Indeed. they had been avoided. for the
Talcotts had earned the reputation OF
stunning the society OF all on shipboard
elated at the prospect of a tete-a-tete--
and now he had spoiled It all!
"Hou-you don't mind my STAYING
awhile Mrs. Talcott?" he asked. when
the pause caused by his own embarrass-
ment and her evident intention not to en-
had forced him to indirect apology.
"Oh, no-stay," she said.
Rutherford discreetly cautioned himself
as he took the chair beside her. not to
Indulge in personalities. He would earn
his right to her society by sticking mu-
cilaGinously TO commonplaCes.
This Is a night just made for-conn-
denCes," the girl said, dreamily.
Rutherford started. Womanlike, her
seemingly idle words had pierced the one
weak spot In his armor that he had just
been patching He glanced toward her
quickly and at once his own selfish inter-
ests were forgotten in n lively concern for
her. The moon, peeping down under the
edge OF the canopy, had illumlned her
face. and IL had suddenly seemed to grow
older and lined with care. He was sure
that unshed tears glittered In her eyes
Impulsivelv he leaned toward her
Mrs. Talcott, what Ia It? There Ia
something troubling you"
why. what did I say?" she asked as
IL startled by what she might have un-
consciously betrayed.
You only mentioned confdences but Il
is tho way you look that makes me"
Isn't that a natural subject-for a
night like this? 1t was a trite remark,
I know. You must forgive me IL am
not entertainlng-but 1t is so restful to
be trite now and them
She spoke with purposeful archness. the
conversational fencing with which n
clever woman leads the talk away from
dangerous themes.
Rutherford was a curious compound Of
boyish cendor coupled with a mans firm
ness At the risk of seeming rude he
persisted.
Pardon me, Mrs. Tslcott, but ] am
sure that something Is weighing upon
your mind. l have thought SO before to-
night. And you have seemed so alone
so unprotected Your-Mr. Talcott seems
| to be an invalid If | could only be OF
| some assistance
He was fioundering again, but the Girl
turned TO him with a candor as complete
and more tender than his
Mr.. Rutherford, / am afraid ] have
seemed ungracious, and ] do beg your
| pardon. You misunderstood, though,
What I said had no particular signih
| canoe"
Mrs. Talcott," said Craig leaning still
closer, you are honest in saying you do
not want to seem ungracious. But know
you are hiding some secret anxiety. ! do
| not urge condolences. But If you are ever
in need of friend, will you call upon
me?"
IT will remember-and indeed l thank
| you. One never knows"
She stopped suddenly, as the sound OF
footsteps reached their ears.
Down the deck at some distance from
| them, but much too near to suit Ruther-
ford n man moved forward into the
bright moonlight. He was smoking, and
| seemed oblivious to them After ap-
| preaching them in a series of jerliy
strides, he turned and retraced his steps.
But Rutherford's hope that he was taxi
! ing himself way and leaving them in
| sole possession OF the deck was doomed
TO disappointment for back he turned
| and paced again in their direction
"Helderman," observed Rutherford.
To his surprise and regret, Mrs. Tai
colt was rising
"You are not going"" he exclaimed.
"Oh yes, I must! 7 came out to find
my veil, but forgot"
And with scarcely a word of adieu she
hurried away. Rutherfords hand still
snuggled into the folds OF the veil,
which he had no intention of restoring
to her, but she had given UP its search
so hastily that he looked around in be-
wilderment for some reason for her
flight.
All lie saw was Hederman pursuing
the same eccentric walk that had caused
him to be identified so readily few mo-
ments before. Indeed, who of the first
! cabin passengers did not know and re-
mark upon the eccentricities OF Helder-
man? Now 1t dawned upon Craig that
the man was turning back along a new
route, one which would bring him nearer
to the spot where he had been chatting
with Mrs Talcott. Could 1t be that this
tall. unGainly man had been the cause
of her hasty departure? And the veil
might it not have been left TO serve as
preteXt for n meeting wlth-Helderman
Rutherford grew furiously angry with
himself the instant these thoughts
formed In his mind. He instnctively dis
trusted Helderman, and quite as instinc-
lively he trusted Mrs. Talcott. But OF
one thing he was certain: the easy con-
gsniality OF their tete-a-tete had ended
the moment Helderman appeared. And
no matter how deftly she might cover IT,
he was sure that Mrs. Talcott had some
secret anxiety, With his usual directness
of attack, that had made him a formld-
able antagonist in college football and
later on the polo Held, ana was sun later
to bring him his larger success in life,
he determined TO approach this man who
seemed TO have some influence over her.
THE top OF the morning to you, Herr
HeldeTmanl" he said, sauntering forward
and speaking deliberately to this man,
for the first time during the voyage.
Helderman stopped in his walk, drew
out his watch, and glanced at 1t before
replying. 1t was a snowy timepiece, and
its owner held 1t i'm such a way that the
moonlight rioted over the diamonds that
decorated its dial.
"Haw he said in the dramatic way
that seemed characteristic with HIM
you are right-it is morning-very much
soto be sure!"
lie spoke in deep. abrupt tones which
harmonized curiously with his strong
jerlSy stride He placed a monocle in his
left eye. and trained his keen glance
upon Craig, who noticed that the eye
behind the glass had an uncanny way
OF acting independently Of its fellow.
But why do you call me HERR" he
queried,
II took you for German" Craig re-
piled quietly.
He watched the jerk OF this mans
shoulders, with sort OF fascination. 1t
impressed him that Helderman seemed
H.