Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1915-03-18
"The Running Fight" "Catspaw," Etc.

"tm going to keep you guessing" she
exclaimed.
you're going to keep me what7' he
queried.
They had stopped at the foot Of her
own steps. Still no light cleaned from
any window and Craig wondered how
tho girl could summon courage enough
to enter such a place alone. The longer
they stood there, tho more awkward
grow the situation AZ last she broke
the silence. a smile still twitched about
her lips.
II am not going to ask you in" she
said slylN. 81 am afraid you would find
out too much about me ~ did"
rs that your only reason?" quered
Craig.
You see" she went on ITS sophle's
evening out and ! am still amenabe TO
Mrs. Grundy. I have not the freedom
that I could appropriate when you
thought I was Mrs. Talcott"
But your father Is at home" said
Craig. "He is chapcron enough"
The girl was still smiling. DO you
know" she said. "T think you liked me
better as Mrs. Talcott than n Miss Bal
lantyne. I know YOU consider mo yet
bit of an advcnturess-at least l hope
you do"
w ny uO Nuu ilOVe I uOs HNkCu 'fAlE.
"t know just enough OF men," she
laughed soberly, Ito know that they
prefer a woman who Is a mystery. Be
sides, have to pay old scores"
"Old scores" returned Craig. Scores
against whom?"
Against YOU" she went on, tantaliz-
ingly. "T am sure that mentally Mt least
YOU have charged me with almost every
crime on the calendar Even now YOU
are thinking to yourself that now and
then I'm a pernIcious little liar-oh, yes.
YOU are
Craig mumbled something by way OF
protest She had taken him completely
by surprise.
"G am going to punish YOU" she said.
"by not telling YOU anything about my
self You are honest and frank-faccd
and sincere. Mr. Rutherford"
Craig started. ITelderman had used al
most the same language, only Helderman
had been complimentary. This girl was
not
II am beginning" said Craig, "to be-
licvc ! really am sincere"
We'll. then, tell me honestly" she said,
'am | still n mystery TO you?"
You are he answered franlSlS,, "a
very bewildering and fascinating mys-
terry"
81 intend to remain one then" she
said. saucily
"RewilderinE and fascinating" qucrled
Craig
"A mystery" she answered, flushing,
" plain mystery"
Impossible" said Craig, FOR you to
be plain mystery"
'T will be a complicated ono then" she
returned. 80 far as you are concerned.
You have seen all there is to see, Mr.
Rutherford. and I think that many peo-
pie especially a man like Helderman.
could have unraveled all the mystery
about me by this time at least. But I
am going to let you guess. You have all
the facts. but YOU have not arrived at
the solution. Until you guess right you
will think me a merry little prevaricator
to tho end. That is Just to punish you.
And SO that YOU can't guess right-and
so that you can't see any more I am
not going to let you in. Now, am I
more of a mystery than ever?"
You are" said Craig.
you are sure you like adventurcsses?"
81 like you" said Craig.
'T hope you never solve tho mystery
that Is me-" she said.
why not?" he asked
"Oh, just because" she answered.
Craig laughed aloud. You're just a
woman after ALL hc said.
do you know" she said, impulsively,
ut is impossible 10 &c angry with you
when you laugh like that
Then prove IT," he said. heartily.
"T[ow?"
IT have a bully plan was Just about
to propose. DO YOU accept it?"
mo pigs in poke, please. What is it?"
"T know a quaint little italian restau-
rant not far from here-one of the few
landmarks left, As it is Sophie's night
out-also father's--won't you do me the
honor to dine with me?"
You are going there?" she asked hesi-
tatingly.
Rutherford nodded lie
II believe 7 SHOULD like to see that
little restaurant" she admitted looking
up at him. 1T is n little lonely at home,
tonight"
She spoke the words almost like tired
child would have done, and Rutherford
felt lum rise In his throat, as he drew
her arm within his own. Poor. brave,
lonely little girl!
''It is not far away, and believe you'll
like the cuisine" he said I'm common
place tones. And he chatted on every
day topics until they had found seats in
a remote corner of the little cafe.
Only few people happened to be here
this evening. They had their corner quite
to themselves, and the impassioned love-
songs of the fat Italian baritone at the
piano were softened to them by the dis
tance,
"I am going to lay a disagreeable ghost,
once for ALL" the girl announced sud-
denly. What led you to believe that L
that you saw me with Mr.. Helderman?"
"T-oh, let's not talk about H."
"Please"
Miss Ballantyne, do l look like a per-
son of sane and sober mind? Would you
imagine that there was anything the mat
ter with my cyesight?"
"Why. no"