Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1915-03-10
THE TEMPTING OF TAVERNAKE
puIrr1pc opprN1urtM
By e. PHILLIPs oPPENHEIM


Of the outside tables near the parapets,
and below them New York stretched,
flaming phantasmagorla OF lights and
crude buildings. Down the broad avenues
with their towering blocks, their street
cars striking fire all the time like toys
below, the people streamed like insects
away to the Hudson, where the great
ferry boats, ablaze with lights, went
screaming across the dark waters Taver-
make leaned over and forgot, There was
so much that was amazing In this mar
velous city for n man who had only just
begun TO find himself
The orchestra, stationed within few
yards of him, commenced TO play n
popular waltz, and Prtchard TO talk
Tavernake turned his fascinated eyes
from the prospect below
My young friend" Pritchard said, "you
are up against II tonight Take a drink
of your wine and then brace yourself"
Tavernake did as he was told.
What is this danger?" he asked.
what's wrong. anyway"
DO you wish to go?" Pritchard asked.
Tavernake shook his head
Not IT. he answered. This place is
far too fascinating Can't we have some
more wine2 This is my treat. And,
fritchard' why do you look at mo like
that? You are not supposlng for mo-
ment that 1 am capable Of making an
ass of myself AGAIN."
Prltchard smiled In relieved fashion,
My young friend" he said II have
lived In the word so long and seen so
many strange things especially between
men and women, that I am never sur
prised at anything I thought you'd shed
your tollies as your grin upon life Ind
frightened but one is never sure
Tavernake sighed
on | have shed the worst of nv
lollles!' he answered "T only wish"
ie never finished his sentence, ELIZA
peth mad suddenly seen him. For a mo-
luent she leaned forward as though to
assure herself that she was not mist aiken
Ihen she half sprang to her feet and sat
uoWh again. Her lips were parted
tlful 'h"-
Mr.. Tavernake," she cried, como and
speak to mo Mt once"
Tavernake rose without hesitation. and
walked firmly across the few yards which
separated them. She held out both her
hands. '''1
This is wonderful" she exclaimed.
you in New York! And I have won
dered so often what became OF YOU"
Tavcrnake smiled.
1t is my first night here" he said.
For two years 1 have been prospecting
In the Far Wrst"
Then saw your name in the papers,"
Syndicate wasn't it?"
Tavernake nodded, and one of the men
OF the party leaned forward with interest
You're going to make millions and
millions shc assured him. You always
knew you would, didn't you?"
II am afraid that I was almost too
confident" he answered. but certainly
we have been quite Fortunate"
One of Elizabeths companions inter
vcned-he was tho ono who had prlcked
up his ears at the mention of the Man
haitian Syndicate.
Say, Elizabeth" he remarked 'I'd
like to meet your friend"
Elizabeth, with frown, performed the
Introduction.
Mr.. Anthony cruxhall-NEr. Taver-
nake!"
Mr.. CruXhall held out fat white hand.
on the little finger of which glittered n
big diamond ring.
Say are you the Mr.. Tavernake that
was surveyor TO the prospecting party
sent out by the Manhattan Syndlcate?"
he inquired.
81 was" TavernaISe admitted briefly.
"I still am, I hope"
''Thcn you're just the man was hoping
to meet Mr.. Cruxhall declared. Won't
you sit down with us right here? I'd
like to talk some about that trip I'm
Interested In the syndicate"
Tavernake shook his head.
i've had enough of work for n time"
he said. Beside, 1 couldn't talk about
1t till after my report to the meeting
tomorrow"
"Just few words" Mr.. Cruxhall per-
sisted "We'll have bottle of cham
pagne. eh?"
you will excuse me, am sure" Taver-
make replied, "when I tell you that II
would not be correct on my part to dis
cuss my trip until after have handed In
my report to the company. 7 am very
glad to have seen you again, Mrs.
Gardner"
but you are not going" she ex-
claimed, I'm dismay
at have left Mr.. Pritchard alone"
Tavernalie answered
Elizabeth smiled and waved her hand
to tho solitary figure.
"Our friend Mr.. Pritchard again." she
remarked. well, 1t is really a curious
meeting. isn't it? 1 wonder,"-she lifted |