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

What II she did have pneumonia
lie tried to correct the copy books, but
his thoughts would wander.
Why was she here? Why had she not
| carried out~he original intention of GO
ing abroad to study art? And If she was
not studying, what was the Pelham fam
| lily doing at their country place in mid
winter, with the social season In full
swing in tho city?
! Thereafter. in justice to the other
| pupils, he explained to himself, he
| showed no partiality to the Pelham twin.
| In fact, that youth, II he had not been
! so perfectly cognizant of his own mis-
! chievous wrongdong. might have COM
| planned of discrimination. But every
afternoon Raymond stood at the win
dow and watched the slender figure with
| It's two small charges hurry through the
| crisp winter air. She must have changed,
| he argued to himself. Certainly she had
settled down. for she could not be doing
the opera, teas and receptions and call
for those children every afternoon.
And then came the day of the bllz-
zard Raymond watched 1t shut down on
| Morris Manor and could hardly keep
| away from the window. Was she coming
for those children on foot? BY the way,
IL was odd that she never came with
sleigh or carriage Other children were
claimed by fur-clad footman or strong
elder brothers. Nearly all the day pupils
were gone. Patty Pelham had not even
tried to come across the street from the
school for girls. Raymond began TO
pace the floor.
do you think your sister has forgotten
or Is afraid TO come out? Don't you
think you had better go home with Will
fred Bailey when his mother sends for
him"
"Oh. Natalie will be here. all right.
She's probably fussnG with Pattys rub
bers. Natalie is not afraid OF anything"
Ten minutes later she staggered down
the street-and Raymond dashed down
stairs, drawing her through the door and
shutting out the mad storm with a thou
sand fUries tearing at his heart. Why
had he not gone to meet her? He led
her into the classroom tore off her wraps,
ehafed her hands and her face. sending
the oldest boy TO the principals ottice Tor
brandy and help.
An hour passed before the strain was
over. and then they sat facing each other
in Mrs Morris small sitting room. An
awkward silence fell between them.
please do not worry any more" hs
said finally. "I caught your house on the
phone Just before the wires went down
and no one Is worrying. The teachers at
Miss Montgomery's will look after Patty,
and Mrs Morris Is having a room made
ready for you to stop here. You are quite
sure you feel no pain in your side or
chest? Are you quite comfortable?
The girl leaned back in her chair and
smiled
II am eomfortable-and happy, How
far off June seems. 1t must have been In
the dark ages
Douglas Raymond leaned forward and
looked into her eyes. There was no mis-
chief IN the answering glance.
when your father failsd-when you
were in trouble, why did you never write?
You must have known-that the altered
circumstances broke down the one bar
rler between US
''Oh they were not so much altered. ]
wasn't suffering, you know. We have
little left-enough 10 educate the children
and live comfortably-and-
yes? Didn't you want me2" he whis-
pered.
II was afraid-you might think that-alI
that sort OF thing had made any differ
ence before. Ii hadn't, you know-only
YOU would not Speak"
"Oh, and you told Patty It was not nice
10 let boys kiss her and you're doing
it."
Raymond stood up very suddenly. and
Natalie. leaning over the back OF her
chair. laughed into Willie's shocked face.
"Did you remark that dinner was
4No. I didn't hut Il Is: and n YOU
don't come Al once I shall ten Mrs Nor
lcopulEhs. 1etal