Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1915-02-24

possible places, calling out greetings TO
acquaintance across the room, chahinS
the maitre dhotel who was Fastening
from table to table. The gathering babel
of voices was mingled every now and then
with the popping of corks. and behind 1t
all were the soft strains of a very seduc-
tive little band, perched up in the bal
cony. Tavernake felt the color mounting
into his cheeks. 1t was true: there was
something here which was new to him!
Beatrice" he asked her suddenly,
have you ever drunk champagne?"
She laughed at him.
"Often, my dear brother" she an
swered. "Why?"
II never have" he confessed. I'VE are
going to have some now"
She would have checked him but he had
summoned a waiter imperiousy and
given his order.
MY dear Leonard" she protested, this
is shocking extravaganza
us it?" he replied II don't care. Tell
me about the theatre, Were they kind
to you there7 viii you be able TO keep
your place."
1.-The girls were al; much nicer than 1
expected" she told him, land the musical
director said that my voice was much too
good for the chorus. oh, do hope that
they will keep mel"
"They would be idiots If they didn't" he
declared, vigorously. You sing better
and you dance more gracefully and to me
you seemed much prettier than any one
else there"
She laughed into his eyes.
my dear brother" she exclaimed, 'your
education is progressing indeed 1t is
positively the first evening l have ever
heard you attempt to make pretty
speeches, and you are quite an adept
already"
81 don't know about that" he protested
81 suppose it never occurred to me be-
fore that you were good looking" he
added, examining her critically, "or
dare say I should have told you so. You
see, one doesn't notice these things in
an ordinary way. Lots of other people
must have told you so, though"
II was never spoilt with compliments"
she said. you see. 1 had a beautiful
sister"
The words seemed to have escaped her
unconsciously Almost as they passed
her lips her expression changed, She
shivered, as though reminded OF some-
thing unpleasant, Tavernake, however,
noticed nothing. For the greater part OF
the day he had been sedulously fighting
against a new and unaccustomed state OF
mind. He had found his thoughts Slip
ping away, time after time, until he had
to set his eeth ana uEe all his VIII
power to keep his attention concentrated
upon his work, And now once more they
had escaped. again he felt the strange
stir in his blood. The slight flush on his
cheek grew suddenly deeper. He looked
past the girl opposite to him, out OF the
restaurant, across the street, into that
little sltting-room in the Milan Court 1t
was Elizabeth who was there in front OF
him. Again he heard her voice, saw the
turn of her head the slow. delightful
curve OF the lips the eyes that looked
into his and spoke to him the hrst
strange whispers Of new language His
heart gave a quick throb. He was for
the moment transformed, q prisoner no
longer a different person, indeed. from
the stolid, well-behaVed young man who
found himself for the first time in his
life Ia these unaccustomed surroundings.
Then Beatrice leaned toward him, her
voice brought him back to the present
not, alas, the voice which at that mo-
ment he would have given 50 much TO
have heard
Tonight she murmured. Il feel as
though We Were AZ the beginning OF new
things We must drink g toast
TaVernake ALLIED her glass ana his own.
Luck TO you IN ysuF new professionl"
he said
And here Is one after your own heart.
you most curious Of menl" she exclaimed.
q few seconds later. TO the undls-
covered n life.
He drained hls glass and set L d64n
emply.