Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1915-03-22

I'm sorry, but snail be unable to b,
| there" he said, quietly. "However,
/ shall make note OF the address and will
send car around for Miss Baliantyne."
AS he soribbled, Miss Ballantyne looked
| quickly at him. He could feel her glance
but did not meet It.
Your address, Miss Ballantyne," the
| lawyer requested; "in case I should find
| It necessary to change the hour or place
of the meeting. And one thing more-do
not fail to bring the blue buckle with
you. Is 1t In your possession2'
| at is in same hands. l shall bring IT,"
! she replied
AS no wrote down her address with
| careful precision, she said, timldly:
You have asked me several questions,
Mr. Leclerc Now may I ask you one2"
He peered down into the eager. up
turned face with calmness that was lit
tie short Of amazing TO Rutherford
"Certainly-though l may not be at
liberty to answer IT,"
You have the other blue buckle7"
Not with me-" was the lawyer-like
reply.
you have seen it? You remember how
it looks7" Miss Ballantyne leaned for
ward, clasplug and unclasplng her hands,
In the effort to subdue her excitement
Possibly" rejoined Leclerc.
Tell me the inscription on IT, please"
1t was a command rather than an en-
treaty. made with all the bewildering
appeal that womankind has known how
to use since the world was young; but
the present man of business and caution
was unshaken.
rs there an inscription on it?" he par
ried.
Miss Ballantyne leaned back in her
chair with little sigh of disappointment.
She had read tho lawyers determination
to give her no information. Leclerc took
advantage Of the ensuing silence to gather
up his papers and say good-by
After he had departed, Craig waited n
moment for her to speak-perhaps to offer
some explanaton-but she only passed
her hand across her eyes, as II In weari-
ness.
"You are tired. Miss Bellantyne," he
said Come, It has been taxing after
noon for you. Let me call cab.
THANK YOU" she said, rising and walk
ing toward the door, in obvious preoccu-
patton of thought.
lie assisted her into the cab, and was
on the point of closing the door upon her.
and giving her address to the driver.
"why-aren't you coming" she asked
startled out of her brown study.
"Thank you, no." he answered, turning |
the door.
Her small glovcd hand was suddenly |
laid upon his, as It rested on the sill.
IT wish you would
I III SOIIN,
1T shall think-you are not pleased with
re-that you have been thinking unkind
.hingE about me" And there was the
sheen of tears in her eyes
Rutherford was not pleased with her
,ut was still less pleased with himself
Without another word he entered the cab.
,rhe girl glanced timidly at him, once
,r twice, and seeing that he was not dis
oos,d to speak she made brave effort
o begin the conversation. Her lips
parted uncertainty with n forced little
augh and her voice was not quite steady
rs she said:
"Do YOU know, Mr. rutherford what
his reminds me of?-why. of that hrst
ide we took together from the ship
vhcn II forced myself upon you. anT
'ou were very glum-oh, much Elummei
han you are today
Craig glanced swiftly at her. and saw
hat her mock banter was employed to
elieve the tenseness of the situation
hat she was lighting hard for self-con-
rol. He felt again n great. overmaster-
nE sympathy for this slender girl fight
ng n mans battle against such heavy
dds. She was pitted against clever un-
men and resourCeful women;
nd he. her one mainstay. had been on
he point of deserving her.
Child, child"' he whispered chow can
ou expect me to understond--when you
o not tell me all!''
you've been so good to me-to use.
fr. Rutherford! It hurts me to feel that
ou-you think Ill of me-and I cannot
revent it-yet"'
yet! What 90 you mean by that"