Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1915-07-09

Elancing up at the window from whicl
she suspected Monty was watching he
departure. She gave the address OF he
old lodgings at Achilies-crescent Th
landlady did not seem surprised TO se
her again. This often happened to he
lodgers, They went of in high hopes {,
hll situation and came back as offer
as not to try again
Maud went out Immediately, ate .
frugal lunch, and went by omnibus t
Victoria street It had been her inten
tlon TO run the gauntlet Of her mothers
| detection II they were still looking fol
/ her and to call on Richard Arroi at his
/ nat but AZ some little distance from the
! mouse, on the opposite side of the street
the name on an office door caught her
eye; MIR Richard Arrol. Civil t1ngl-
neer."
She inquired Of the office boy II his
master was In, and on being told that he
was, boldly gave her real name A mo-
ment later Richard hustled out to well
come her. She recognized him at once
as the man who had been present at her
first Interview with Monte at the hotel.
Delighted to see you, Miss Plessey"
he cried. Come into my office"
She followed him into his own sanctum
and took the chair he placed for her.
Before ne could speak she began: II find
that l am indebted to you and Martin for
very good OF you to take that trouble on
my account"
She could not altogether stihe the note
of resentment in her tone and Richard
noticed this.
"Yes," he said, leaning back In his
chair and regarding her curiously; "wo
must plead guilty When Mrs. Plessey
told Martin of your disappearance--'
Mother told Martini"
''Yes. She called on him at once sus-
pecting that he would know something
OF your whereabouts. He was naturally
anxious about you" Richard waved his
hand apologetically. "Of course he had
told me about-er-your engagement. 30
we hit on this scheme of an advertise
ment had to be present at the ofiico
when Monty interviewed the applicants to
identify you II you turned up"
"But YOU had never seen meY
mo. but 1 had pretty detailed descrip-
tion from my brother, and young ladles
OF your height and-er-appearance, II
you'll pardon me saying so, are not 10
be met with every day. SO that part OF
the business was easy / hope you are
getting on well with Miss Dereve. You
must forgive us our innocent fraud. Mar
tin was naturally anxious to discover
your whereabouts. and besides that we
were concerned to know how you would
get on. It was I, I'm afraid, VINO reared
that n girl OF your upDTlnBlnb Wohlu INV
It jolly hard to earn decent living.
And, of course, at the Dereves' Martin
was sure of being able to plead his cause
with you He had to run over to Amer
lea. unfortunately, before you answered
that advertisement"
Maud felt a delicious thrill. So, after
ALL Martin cared for her. 1t was his
eagerness to see her again, his solicitude
for her welfare which had inspired this
little conspiracy. She looked at tho floor,
then again at Martins brother.
ut was very dear of Martin-and Of
you. But 1 wish you had told Miss
Dereve the real facts of the case"
"Why, what's up?" cried Richard.
Maud flushed "She thought'--her voice |
sank-"that It was you, not Martin, that
was interested in me. 1 don't like to be- |
tray her confidence, but 1 gathered this !
morning that If she had thought 1t was
Martin she would not have so generously |
befriended me-"
Richard flushed in turn. He gave a
low whistle. "Ah, she feels as badly as
that about him, does she?" he said. !
That's hard luck on everybody con- |
cerned, for 1 may as we'll admit that I'm
rather keen on Monty myself" He rose
and made a pace or two about the room.
We'll, anyhow, there's nothing to make
4 fuss about. How did she find out?'
"I saw she had received letter in
Martins handwriting, and then, of course,
t all came out. saw that she was
lngry. so left"
Richard stared at her blankly. Left?
You mean you have left her for good?"
Maud nodded.
Richard resumed his seat and drummed
With his fingers on the blotting pad. This
s very awkward" he said in an aggrieved
one, 'just when we had fixed up things
10 nicely Well. Monty has done for her
elf with Martin now!'
Does Martin know that 1 have been
taylng with the Dereves?" asked Maud
"He ought to by now. cabled him the
ay you were found and he should have
ot the news the day after he reached
few York All have had from him is
his card"-he took up a postcard from
is desk and handed 1t to the girl-"post-
d, as you see, on the day he landed
unday night. It's curious I haven't
card" he added with a puzzled frown.
Maud thought so. too. and experienced
sudden chill But 1t was absurd to
hinlc that he had forgotten her so soon.
he read and reread the card, then handed
back to Richard with look of inquiry.
It's rather curt. isn't it2"
"Oh, mol Martin and I have never
a letter in our lives! We
ave always communicated by postcard
+ telegram. OnCb OF AWlNe WlAuH WOE
l India sent him the pages OF a guide
ook describing the places visited. We
sed 10 rely on my sister Jessie to keep
8 informed more fully Of each others
oings. Still. It is rather funny he didn't
able back in reply"
They both speeulated silently for a few
ioments. Then Maud asked, How long
Id he expect TO be away2'
"Only for few days. He went over to
% your friend Monty's father about
ome mysterious designs for a torpedo
'hieh he gave TO his brother-thats Mar
ms partner-not long ago. oh, / shall
ear from him within a day or two. He
as probably gone inland from New York
nd won't get my cable till his return
Ie'll be Jolly glad to hear that you have
irned up, Miss Plessey. The question Is
hat is 90 be done with you msanwhilsG"
Used by any one else this unsolicited
sumption OF responsibility would have
rought an angry rejoinder to Maud's
ps In Martins brother somehow, IL
semed natural and reassurinE.
She smiled, II can take care OF myself
4 right Mr.. Arrol; and. Ia fact. ought
lt 70 trouble Martin with my affairs. 1
/ threw him over, you know" Some
ow the words seemed TO stick IN her
lroat
Richard looked at her intently Did
ou really mean that. Miss Plessey?" he
,ked gravely
I'll don't know. I'm Ia a miserable
,sition. Mr. ATrol There are powerful
mily reasons why should marry GER
IN naFaou Kvhofu I dateef II donft