Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1915-02-20

are certainly not yourself this morning
"I saw you swinging" he muttered'
swinging by that piece of cord! There
was a great black pin through your
heart Elizabeth, II he should get away
some tIme II some one sould come over
from America and discover where he was'
II he should find us out! Oh, my God,
If he should find us out!"
Elizabeth had risen to her feet. She
was standing now before tho fire, her
left elbow resting upon the mantlepiece'
a trihe OF silver cleaning in her right
hand.
Father" she said, there is no danger
in life for those who know no fear.
Look at me-"
His eyes sought hers, fascinated
"If he should find me out" she con-
tlnued, ut would be no such terrible
thing, after all. 1t would be the end"
Her fingers disclosed the little orna-
ment she was carrying-a tiny pistol. She
slipped 1t back into her pocket, The man
was wondering how such thing as this
came TO be his daughter.
you have courage. Elizabeth" he
whispered.
II have courage" she assented, "be-
cause l have brains. 1 never allow my
self to be in position where l should
be likely to get the worst OF It, Ever
since the day when he turned so suddenly
against me. I have been careful
Her father leaned toward her.
Elizabeth" he said, 81 never really
understood, What was 1t that came over
u r,,a 1a.y ha UTaa VI
slave, the next I think he would have
murdered you If he could"
She shrugged her shoulders.
Honestly" she replied, 1T felt 1t I'M
possible to keep UP the sham any longer
/ married Wenham Gardner In New York
because he was supposed to be million
aire and because II seemed to be the best
thing to do, but as to living with him,
never meant that. You know how
ridiculous his behavior was on the boat
He never let me out OF his sight, but
swore that he was going to give up
smoking and drinking and lead a new
life for my sake. 1 really believe he
meant IT, too
wouldn't II have been better. dear"
her father suggested, timidly. ito have
encouraged him?"
She shook her head.
"He was absolutely hopeless" she de-
clared. you say that have no nerves.;
that is because do not allow myself TO
suffer. If had gone on living with
Wenham II would have driven me mad
His habits his manner of life, every
thing disgusted me. Until I came to see
SO. much of him, never understood what
the term decadent really can mean. The
very touch OF him grew to be hateful
No woman could live with such a man.
BY the way. he signed the draft, sup
naRa3p
Her father handed her a slip Of paper
which she looked at and locked in her
drawer.
''pld he make any trouble about it7"
she asked.
The professor shivered.
"He refused to sign II. he said. in a
low tone, "swors he would never sign II.
Mathers sent me out for few minutes.
made me go into another room. When l
came back. he gave me the draft.
heard him calling out"
.'Mathers certainly earns his money"
she remarked. drily.
He gazed at her with srudging admira-
tiOn. This was his daughter, his own
nesh and blood. Back through the years.
for a moment he seemed to sea her, a
child with hair down her back. sitting
on his knee, listening 10 his stories.
wondering at the little arts and tricks by
which he had wrested their pennies and
sixpennies from a eredulous public.
Phrenologist, hypotist. conjurer- all these
things the great Professor Franklin had
called himself often. from the rude
stage where he had given his perform
ance, he had terrified to death the women
and children Of his audience. 1t flashed
upon him at that moment that never
! even In the days OF her childhood, had he
seen fear IN Elizabeth's face.
you should have been q man, Eliza
beth" he muttered.
She shook her head. smiling az though
not Ei-pleased at the compliment.
The poWer Of z man is 50 limited" she
declared "A woman has more weapons" Z"
Mere weapons indeed the professor
aarsad aa his ewes Travelled ever the
Sim ssl HonaaFfla psF1selloa of her