Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1915-02-19

| rms young man, with his unusual Inn
perturability and hateful common sense,
was getting on her nerves
ut is so hard to write things. Mr..
Tavernake," she said, but, of course. IL
Is something to know that II the worst
happens l can send her a letter. shall
| think about that for a short time Mean
! while. there Is so much about her I would
love to have YOU tell me. She has no
money, has she? How does she support
herself?"
''She sings occasionally at concerts, -
Tavernake replied after moments 3
pause. II suppose there is no harm in
telling you that"
Elizabeth leaned toward him. She was
very 10th Indeed to acknowledge defeat.
once more her voice was deliciously soft,
her forehead delicately wrlnkled, her blue
eyes filled with alluring light.
Mr.. Tavernake," she murmured, "do
you know that you are not in the least
Kind to me? Beatrice and I are sisters
after all. Even she has admitted that
She left me most unkindy at a critical
time In my life; she misunderstood things:
IL we're to see her, 1 could explain every
thing I feel II very much that she is
living apart from me in this city where
we are both strangers. am anxious
about her. Mr.. Tavernake. Does she
want money? II so, will you take her
some from me7 Can't you suggest any
way In which I could help her? Do be
my friend, please, and advise me-"
Life was certainly opening out for
Tavernake. The atmosphere by which
he was surrounded, which she was de-
liberately creating around him, was the
atmosphere of an unknown world. 1t was
position. this, entirely novel to him.
- hal. A. ~
with 1t intelligently. He reflected care
fully before he made any reply, he re-
fused absolutely to listen to the strange
voices singing In his ears, and he de-
livered his decision with his usual air of
finality.
II am afraid" he said "that since
Beatrice refuses even to let you know
her whereabouts, she would not wish to
accept anything from you. 1t seems a
pity" he went on. the instincts of the
money-saver stirring within him; "she is
certainly none too well off,
The lady on the couch sighed.
Beatrice has at least a friend" she
murmured. ut is a great deal to have
a friend. 1t Is more than I have. We
are both so far from home here Often
I am sorry that we ever left America.
England Is not hospltable country. Mr..
Tavernalte."
Again this painfully literal young man
spoke out what was in his mind
There was n gentleman in the motor
car with you the other night" he re-
minded her.
She bit her lip.
He was just an acquaintance" she
answered, "a man whom l used to know
in New York, passing through London.
He called on me and asked me to go to
the theatre and supper. Why not? have
had a terrible time during the last few
months, Mr. Tavernake, and 1 am very
lonely-lonelier than ever since my sister
deserted me-"
Tavernake began to feel, ridiculous
though It seemed, that in some subtle and
inexplicable fashion he was in danger.
At any rate, he was hopelessly bewlldered.
He did not understand why this very
beautiful lady should look at him as
though they were old friends, why her
eyes should appeal to him SO often for
why her fingers, which a
ago were resting lightly upon his
hand, and which she had drawn away
with reluctance. should have burned him
like pin-pricks Of fire. The woman who
wishes to allure may be as subtle as
possible in her methods. but sense OF
her purpose, however vague 1t may be,
Is generally communicated to her would
be victim. Tavernale was becoming dis
tinctly uneasy. He had no vanity. He
knew from the first that this beautiful
creature belonged to a world far re-
moved from any of which he had any
which presented itself to him
was that she might be thinking Of bor-
rowing money from him!
"There was never time in my life,"
she continued softly. when I felt that
| needed a friend more. am afraid that
my sister has preJudiced you against me,
Mr.. Tavernake. Beatrice is very young,
and the young are not always SYM
you know. They do not make,
allowances, they do not understand"
"Why did you tell Mr.. Bowling things |
which were not true?" he asked bluntly. |
She sighed. and looked down at the |
with which she had been |
toying.
"It was q very silly piece Of conceit."
she admitted, "but. you see, had TO tell |
him something"
"Why did you come to tho ofioe at
all2' he continued.
do you really want to know thatr'
she whispered softly.
"Well.-"
"I will tell you" she went on suddenly.
Tt sounds foolish, in a way. and yet 1t
wasn't really. because you see."-she
Imiled at him-"I was anxious about Bea-
rice. saw you come out of the Office
hat morning, and I recognized you at
,nce. knew that It was you who had
,een with Beatrice. made an excuse
lbout the house TO come and sec whether
could find you out"
Tavernake. in whom the vanity was
Tot yet born, missed wholly the slgni-
lcance of her smile, her trlfing hesita-
ion.
IAN that" he declared, SIS no reason
Why you should have told Mr.. Dowling
hat your husband was a millionaire and
lad given you carte blanche about taking
house."
'Did mention-iny husband7'
Distinctly" he assured her.
For the FIRST time she had faltered in
Ter speech. Tavernake felt that she her
elf was shaken by some emotion. Her
yes for a moment were strangely lit:
omething had come into her face which
10 did not understand. Then It passed.
The delightful smile. half deprecating.
Iaif appealing. once more parted her lips;
he gleam OF horror no longer shone in
IeP blue eyes.
IT am always so foolish about money"
he declared, $50 ignorant that I never
now how stand, but really think that
have plenty and hundred or two more
r less for rent didn't seem to matter
much"
1t was point Of view, this. which
'avernaks utterly failed to comprehend.