Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1915-06-25

passing fancy. Perhaps you have been
giving him cause for jealousy OF late
Maud smiled lnduIgently and caressed
her mothers hair.
"oh, don't care twopence about Gill
bert" cried Mrs. Plessey, rearransing her
cap. "He is useful In a way and so Ions
as the tango remains IN fashion ] can
do without him. My dear girl, to be can
did, It's my vanity that is hurt, that is
all IL isn't pleasant to feel that your
own daughter ls becoming a serious RI
val"
Maud turned away her face that her
mother might not sec the pain in her
eyes. She hated this kind Of talk between
mother and daughter. She returned
abruptly to the main point at issue
Perhaps you would tell me what atti-
tudc you are going to take up towards
Gilbert after thls-this quite unsolicited
declaratlon?"
Mrs. Plessey did not answer the ques-
tion directly. She took a cigarette from
the open box lying on her daughters
table and inhaled the smoke deeply.
you told Gilbert that you didn't care
for him, 1 understand" she said pres-
entity
"of course"
Also that you were in love with that
man Arrol."
That is So"
You said that. knowing who Arroi
was?"
Yes and after reading the reports Of
the trial, mother do you believe him to
be guilty yourself?'
Mrs Plessey rose drew the folds OF her
klmono round her and stood looking down
into the fire. She tapped her slippered
foot on the curb.
You have seen Arrol since you left tho
boat, 1 presume. It's what you would
do"
Yes; 1 have seen him. He asserted
his innocence, which was unnecessary,
of course. / also extracted promise
from him to reopen the case and prove
himself guiltless. He is going to consult
his solicitor tomorrow.
Mrs Plessey turned towards her daugh-
ter. Her face was livid with rage. You
wretched. idiotic girl" she cried, raising
her hands wildly. How dare you speak
to that man! Don't you understand
her voice rose to a shriek-''that he la
bors under the suspicion OF having killed
your father and that he compromised
me?"
Mother, you arc forgetting yourself"
Maud reminded her, sternly, land please
don't insult me. We do not wish to quar-
rel. / don't know why you should talk
in this strain of Captain Arrol. It's OBJ
vious that you didn't believe him guilty
or you would not have shaken hands with
him. AS to his having compromised you
you denied that at the trial In the most
emphatic terms. He is an innocent man.
Why should you object to him proving his
Innocence7"
Mrs. PlesBey sank back into the chair
exhausted apparently by her spasm OF
rage She was very white. Tho carmine
with which she had not forgotten to paint
her lips stood out in startling contrast
Listen to me, Maud" she said, grip
ping the arm OF the chair" l forbid you
to have anything more to do with Cap
tain Arrol or to see him again. Are you
prepared to obey me7"
mo, mother" answered the gin firmly.
'I am not French girl, 1 wish to be
Captain Arrols wife. You can forbid me.
of course, to marry him for another
year, but I certainly decline to Danish
him from my life in the meantime. I |
don't think you have the right to ask
me to-" Maud's lips trembled and she
looked hard at the floor. "You have |
never troubled TO cultivate my friend |
ship. It's horrid to say It. but at times !
you have almost seemed Jealous of me. |
Captain Arrol loves me a million times |
better than you ever did. In fact" there |
was catch In the girls voice, II be- |
lieve he is the only person in tho world |
who does love me"
Except Gilbert!" interjected Mrs.
Plessey.
Except Gilbertv repeated her daugh- |
ter scornflllly. II care nothing for GIL !
bert Besides, you wouldn't be very
pleased II wanted to marry him. would |
your"
ut is what 1 came here to ask you |
to do" replied Mrs. Plessey, "and what |
you will have to do, my daughter"
CONTINUED TOMORROW