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


anu CORNING nnBer upon ner aunt 3
shocked face. The two we're comrades,
so comradely Miss Norton would not
have minded either the slang or the ia
mtliartty-if only there had not been
third party within earshot. Susan's step
mother, of all persons! A prlu lady who
had suspected that her husbands sister
was bringing up his daughter in the way
she should not CO.
Now she said acidly. pursing her lips
between words: III I may advise-your
father will-send you-at once"
Susan shrugged, saying airily: Better
| not! Costs lot-fare to Glendale--and
III come away inside a week-see II
don'tI
I Hush. honey" Miss Norton inter-
posed
Mrs. Norton, the stepmother. got red
with anger you might find that-dif-
hcult," she said. biting her lips III
you go there under compulsion-well.
your father will be wise enough to ex-
| plain"
No need! None at all. II there were
Ia save him trouble" Susan said, out
wardly tranquil, though her heart beat
very fast "Remember-rll be Is before
term time there-old enough to choose nv
guardian or my husband"
Darling childl Don't say such wild
things Miss Norton gasped
Her sister-in-law was livid Perhaps
you have already chosen" she ventured
| at random.
Susan nodded, smiling meekly. "In time
| OF peace prepare for war" she quoted
then' her lips beginning to CULVER; What
makes you try so hard to make me hate
iui' madame? You know don't want to
slur my dear dad, nor vex Anne Maria
ia let them walk over me cheerfully, II
II wasn't for you"
The last word was strangled in a sob,
after which Anne Maria took her forcibly
away, soothing and comforting her until
she saw her mounted and galloping down
the lane. II the meek shall inherit the
earth Anne Maria was a great heiress-
still she could be reused. and this was one
OF the times. The masterful Madame Nor
ton had hitherto so dominated her upon
thelr lntrequent encounters she had all
but enaced herself even in her own house.
This time she turned about and deIiber-
ately confronted that lady, who sat
| propped In big rocker, viewing the de-
parture with proper scorn. II am nearly
as sorry for Susan as angry with her."
the stepmother began before Miss Norton
| could speak. She is not really so much
70 olame--its the way she has been
| brought up"
so you have told me before, but not
IN words" Miss Norton furg back.
I'm glad you've spoken II setly-it makes
my part easier"
Indeed! And that is?" Madame Nor
| ton queried
ITO tell you what know and
what / mean to do II I have to-
came the answer 'I know you want
susan-her fortune. rather-for that goo
gle-eyed nephew of yours-that preacher
thing! Well! You shan't have her
nor II. And IL hear any further talk
Of Glendale, which is a seml-genteel pris-
on. rather than a girls college, I'll
marry my girl to the first decent fellow
can find."
I'm that case" madame said icily.
rising and bowling, II must ask permis-
sion to communicate instantly with nv
husband May ! call over your phone
for long distance connectionP OF course,
l shall pay for it."
The sufnx was but an added insult.
MISS Norton nodded-she was past speech
But she was far too thoroughbred not
| 10 keep out Of earshot throughout the
time OF conference. vitally as she was in
| terested in what passed over the wire
IL made her actually sick TO have madame
come out smiling and saying: Your
brother Will be here on the midnight
tram BY MS express request, and only
In Difference TO II. / must trespass SO
| much longer upon your hospitality.
Miss Norton bowed. II she had let her
self speak. she would have cried out
you lie! You are staying here on guard
To thwart and harry my poor lamb"
such speech could not help Instead of II,
she must think-hard. Walking always
cleared things In her mind. She snatched
sun hat and set on through the orchard
TO take counsel OF her next neighbor.
If madame had known of him. but Fate
plays her own hand. His eyes darted blue
flame when he heard the whole story. A
tall fellow, well made. neither youthful
nor oldish, he had a compelling strength
every way Bred TO the law, but withheld
from practice by the fact that he had no
need OF work, 80 would not compete with
those who had such need, he had come 70
be the unofncial justice and court OF frst
and last resort for all the countryside.
II had 10 threaten that woman with a
husband for my baby" Miss Norton ali
but sobbed. Even / knew II was the one
way out; yet the poor thing hasn't got the
ghost OF a sweetheart. In fact, she laughs
az all the boys she knows can't 60
oesstng any OF them TO marry her: but
thought maybe you"
"If'' Rathbone exploded. r'When there's
not one Of them worthy 10 look at her
much less love her tell you, Miss Anna
Maria. Susan Is a treasure: she deserves
the best Of everything. better than the
best man. Yet, you are right. Il Is the
only way out She isn't quite Is; her
father is also her legal guardian. As such
he has power-oh the deYill Why isn't
there Prince Charming In handi II there
were-why my car could whisk them away
70 matrimony and happiness long, long
before that train gets here"
Why. indeed7" Miss Norton echoed
/ sadly
The next minute she turned about.
blushine deeply AZ Susan salloped I'D 10
them, her vivid face cloudless. cryinE;
All hai conspiraeyG confessl What
are you two colloguing about7''
ITS conspiracy of salvation. xo,ne
woman" Rathbone eald trying 70 speak
severely, though his breath came quicklv.
II has come 10 critical stage. he went
/ on You are here In the nick Of
/ tne-e
/ foT what7r euaan demanded.
hathbone Nsni On breathing hard TO