Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1915-03-06

The train Of thought which this set up
was particularly dspleasing to Ruther-
ford. yet at the same time held a power
ful fascination for him. Had he In fact,
prevented a secret interview twice in the
same night? What could ii mean? What
| hold, If any. did this UnsCrupuluus tnan-
cler have upon the troubled woman who
had seemed to invite his confidence? lie
was swinging forward, absorbed in pain
full thoughts. when Helderman again
turned abruptly.
Lets get back into the moonlight" he
suggested, suiting the action TO the word.
"Why?" asked Craig
Just the lady's reason--because."
CraiE's dominant trait-straightror-
wardness, came to the front again. lie
would question Helderman about their
mysterious visitor and see If he would
vouchsafe any information.
You noticed the lady who passed us?''
he asked.
"Ah" exclaimed Helderman, dramatic
ally, "even man with n monocle notices
curves like hers!'
rutherford was silent lie was angry,
and vet he felt helpless to reply, as he
seemed to have invited the remark.
"Shc interests me amazingly" the
other man continued, as If he found
something mentally stimulating In the
silent antaEonism of his companion.
"HoW know her them" Craig asked the
question in spite of himself lie disliked
uuutterably, to make the woman of his
thoughts the subject of seemingly idle
gossip, and with man whom he dis
liked intuitvely.
HeIderman laughed-a short, quick, all
together disagreeable laugh. Craig had
never thought of it before but now knew
that n mans laugh may reveal phases Of
his character, which every other manner
ism may cloak
''I may deduce that you are referring
to Mrs. Henry TalCott?" Heldcrman in
terrupted his laughter to ask.
Rtherford was stingingly conscious that
he had not mentioned her name. but had
used the pronoun with the vague par
ticularity of n bashful lover He sum-
moned an excess of dignity, and an
sweTed
your deduction is entirely correct"
"Ah!" Helderman again posed dramat-
ically.
There was so much suggestion of ironic
fun-pokinG In II all that Craig's hands
clenched unconsciously. How he would
like to double this fellow on the deck!
Perhaps the other observed the action.
Carelessly, and as In good nature, he laid
his own hand casually upon Craig's right
arm; but there was nothing casual i'm the
grip that followed the motion. The vlse-
ike clasp of the long, sinewy fingers
made Craig catch his breath in astouish-
ment Himself a trained athlete, he
knew at once that few men would be a
match for this man physically; and the
gesture might have been a quiet hint for
his own restraint.
do / know Mrs. Talcott?" Helder-
man asked, seemingly fond of repeating
the name. ITO my regret, no. I have
done a little clever scheming, 10 no pur-
pose. But l have heard her voice !
have seen her throat ripple. l."
Rutherford wrenched himself from the
others grip.
81 have even felt" continued Helder-
man quietly, as II nothing had happened,
that atmosphere which surrounds a
young and beautiful woman, as a flower
is encircled by its own fragrance"
Craig looked at him resentfully The
language of a man of feeling and sentl-
ment fell from the others lips as easily
and with far greater effect, than his
arrant boasting had done. lie continued
as though speaking 10 himself;
Mrs. Talcott has not only her youth
and her beauty; she has charm and intel
lect, that distinction Of breeding, that fine
aloofness which puts her out OF the reach
of ordinary men and lures the man of
brain and passion. For this reason, /
regard her as a dangerous woman-a
very dangerous woman"
''What makes you think so? How do
you known" Craig asked impulsyely.
II do not know but like a good Ameri-
can / guess-and l usually guess right"
Rutherford had the disagreeable con-
sciousness that he was getting the worst
OF the interview. He felt that Helder-
man was amused at his expense.
Perhaps we are discussing with un-
warranted freedom a lady unknown 10
both Of us" he observed crisply; lets
change the topic"
"Ahl our American chivalry! How
proud we should be of that, we Amsri-
cansw
seethed in him intermittently through
out this conversation boil up dangerous
ly. Both Helderman's tone and manner
were unbearable. Just now he seemed an
obnoxious mOngrel claiming a citizenship
he utterly failed 10 appreciate, except az
IL afforded him financial opportunity.
Eass a calming thought suddenly Mashed
aeroaa Crals mind. The man either hadlI