Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1915-03-12
THE DAILY STORY
AUDREY'S APHASIA

1t had been rubbing it in to ask DicR
Fitzgerald to act as one of the ushers al
the Craven Mountford wedding. Dick hat
been in love with Audrey Craven Ions
before Sir Henry Mountford had com,
across the water in search Of a bride
and bank account
Mrs. Craven had shrewdIy argued tha
with Dick acting as one of the ushers
she would put q stop to the last shred
of gossip. For several years their friends
had looked for the announcement of
Dicks engagement to Audrey, and the
new turn of affairs had not met with
popular approval. If Dick was an usher
he might seem to give countcnance to
the alliance.
No one blamed Audrey for the engage
ment, Mrs. Craven, had she been a man,
would have achieved credit as ward
boss. In her feminine sphere she hec-
tored her family, the charitable societies
of which she was invariably tine presi-
dent. and even the rector of st. Jude,s
recognized God Mrs. Craven and the
Bishop in that order.
When Sir Henry was graciously pleased
TO accept Mrs. Craven's diplomatic over
lures their set had regarded Dicks fate
rs sealed and, with a murmured "Pour
Audrey gave their attention to other
affairs. The announcement that Dick was
to be one OF the ushers brought forth an
duuiIondl FOOT Dlckt nut ne IdlntI
enjoyed his duties, as, standing on the
steps of st. Jude's, he explained to the
wedding guests that the service was post
Doned owing to the absence OF Miss
Craven.
I'VE only know what word was sent
up from the house" he assured Mrs. Pom
ders 'Miss Craven went out to visit
Nell Testra last night She left so early
that no escort seemed necessary. but she
did mt return hDmP Nh knows
what happened. Mrs, Craven is prostra-
ted. Sir Henry? l understand he is taxi
ing 1t very badly"
He bowed her away and turned 10 the
next conner. There had been no time to
recall the invitations, and the sN ushers
were too busy to give more than passing
attention TO any one person.
Sir Henry was taking II Very badly in
deed. He was storminE mp and down
the long hall Of the Craven home, and
between disappointment and wounded
pride the 1oodgates OF speech were
opened and his language would have done
credit 10 a stable boy
Mrs. Craven shut herself into the IL
brary long before he had concluded his
remarks. and the stolld butler, aided by
the coachman, elected Sir Henry from
tile house, 10 the huge delight OF the re-
porters who had vainly besieged the front
door for the last hour or so.
Then Mrs. Craven took TO her bed and
vowed that daughter of hers should never
marry into the British nobility, while
Carver Craven hurried down to the po-
lice station 10 ask that a general alarm
be sent out
Nothing came Of this action, and. after
a couple of days, the papers dropped the
sensation. Dick was distracted. Two days
before the ceremony Audrey had as
sured him that things would turn out all
- A.HI 10.
her long silence argued that she had
not been able to make things go as she
had planned, and that she had killed her.
self rather than marry man she did
not love.
IN the hope Of distracting his mind the
senior Fitzgerald intrusted him with
commission IN Chicago, and Dick, glad
to get away for a few days, took the
train. after e1acting promise that he
should be Informed by wire Of any de-
vel0pment.
The trip seemed interminable but at
last he reached town and established
hinaelf al hotel He could not see the
people ne wanted until the following
morning, ana TO dispei his loneliness he
hunted up Jim Dalton
Dalton and he had been chums In the
college days before Dalton had gone
West % study medicine. He was inferno
in one ol the hospitals now, and after
dinuef Dick and he went out.
Aant 10 see the aulmals3" asked his
ehum after the first Hood Of questions
kaQ been asked ana answered Dick
ahQok his head
.l'd rather talk. he said I'm Ia ~
nIaea y ipok aHan saneFns
N4e soi sna celebrated ease. said
AileH proudly Been lu fze papers
ame sees uQa rpaIHs pretty