Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1915-03-08


ing her, seated deniurely In the library
looking through the pages OF cumber.
some volume. But the smart, simple blue
hat, with its long QUILL gave Craig sun.
Client excuse TO enter and interrupt hei
iabors
Your book indicates a laudable desire
to work." he said; but your hat points
longingly toward outdoors Don't you
think It too fine morning to be lnslde?''
Then why are you here2" she asked, in
the same bantering tone that he had as
sumed
IL came to do missionary work"
| What dreadful task" she said. pout-
| ing To have to visit the heather, and
on a fine morning like this'"
| oh. some heather aren't so bad" he
| said. reassurlngly, especially after they
have been converted. Come on, let's go
outsidcw
| II would like to. awfully" she said. "It
is not hard to preach to me about out
/ doors. But, duty first, you know: and I
wanted to find something" And she
glanced down at the volume in her hands
Perhaps can help you" he suggested.
Are you good at finding things?" she
asked. darting at him quick keen glance
out of eyes that seemed alternately to
laugh and then to be veied by a softenlng
mist of sadness She had never seemed
SO bewitchlng TO him as she did in this
moment.
II am that" said Craig, emphatically.
1
too much"
TOO much?" she repeated, puzzled.
"Yes-for my own good"
She was silent, and began turning the
leaves OF her book. Craig wondered II
he would ever be able to curb his imptu-
GUS tongue. He glanced at the book. II
was New York directory.
"One can usually find too much In di-
rectories," he amended. But let me help
you: I'm pretty well UP in New York
THANK you" she said, simply. as Craig
reached over to take the bulky volume out
OF her hands. His hands touched hers for
the first time. The breath caught in his
throat as he saw the rich color surge
softly up under the clear skin of ner
cheeks Then, with the defensive instinct
or womankind, her eyes flashed quick
glances about the room to see who had
observed her blushing.
The look was like wine to Rutherford.
1t meant that she was not ashamed to res
veal an interest in him, and had no fear
of the use to which he might put it, buN
was careful of the Interpretation that
strangers might give 1t.
Keenly sensitive on her account, wildly
happy on his own, Craig's glance followed
hers here and there in the room. A pair
of piercing gray eyes darted back to q
book, as they encountered his. They be-
lorged to stocky man, not exactly of the
student type,-though apparently intent
upon the volume which he held-who was
the only other occupant of the library.
Instantly Helderman's reference to the
secret-service man who was watching
Mrs. Talcott leaped into his mind. This
man evidently had been watching the girl
but whether from idle curiosity of the
voyager or for some special reason. who
could say? Rutherford resolved to make
1t his business to find out He was all the
more anxious to have a confidential chat
with Mrs. Talcott, to learn, If possible,
what was troubling her, and at any ratio
to warn her of her peril.
Come out on deck. and ask me about
New York." he urged.
The girl hesitated; she seemed to be
Weighing his suggestion. Then he saw
the white, ungloved fingers grasp the cor
ners of her steamer coat and draw them
together.
The mysterious blue buckle shone with
a dull CLEAN against the purity OF her
throat.
you know you always have to wait
for a woman to get ready" she said,
smiling up at him, while she drew on her |
gloves
THAT is no crime, IL the woman Is
worth waiting for" ne rejoined, moving |
toward the door. He was elated. She |
was going to walk with him on the |
sunny deck The sams warm wind would |
sweep them both. 1t was not much, per- |
haps; but It was enough to make him |
another mans name, and that she was |
by a painful suspicion. He was
to hear the sound of her voice-perhaps |
would be told the reason for many things |
he did not now understand. Why should |
he not be happy7 II was so Infinitely be-
yond the casual greeting, the occasional
smile that he had thus far enjoyed. 1t
was fit sequel to the rare, brief inter
view OF the night before, when she re-
flya
creature of another world
Today, In the broad sunshine, Ruther-
ford could have laughed at the ease with
which he had fallen under Helderman's
carefully created spell of mystery, and
his suggestion that this woman was in
any way connected with something dark
an underhanded. He watched her as
she walked with free, light step, her
head held high, and the frank, sweet
'earessaess OF her look proclaimlng the
olameless life behind 1t. Rutherford rev.
,led in the thought of being admitted
nto her friendship and being permitted
% shield her from unjust attack.
They made one circuit OF the ship, the
5irl chatting and laughing in the manner
" the carefree; the man answering her
With like banter. and forgetting for the
moment any more important business.
But as they came again to the library
loor. from which they had emerged,
RulileIAotu Caught blsnt OF the 6tOCkV |
student fellow lolling against the door
yay and glancing back again out of tho
orner of his eye. saw him make a sign
o another man who lounged against the
'ulkhead. Rutherford was now certain
hat these two were the secret-service
men detailed to watch this charming
drl at his side.
However. he gave no sign OF interest by
ook or speech, and, indeed, continued 10
evel in her society without fear or de-
'ression. He would presently ma a
nance, he reasoned. to tell her OF this
imminent danger. and then she could
lace in his hands such indubitable proofs
4 her innocence that he would thereafter
e able to squelch both Helderman and
hese spies at one blow. But his homes
( learning something tangible wers
oomed TO disappointment; as they
ounded the deck on another lap they
ncountered Mr.. Taleott reclining In a
teamer chair, with an empty one-and
My one-by his side.
You have been awaN a long time" ha
oseryed, In the colorlsss voice OF an
nyalid
The girls face flushed. as she ran
agerly forward
I'm sorry. dear, TO have kept you
7aiting,' she said; and deftly arranged
is cushions more comfortably around
i'm.
Rutherford, violently partisan. thought
nat the elderly husband was paaIrfpa !