Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1915-01-01

small piece out OF third, and then laid
II down on the plate.
That's all / can manage" she said.
II feel better, but couldn't eat another
crumb,'
He seated himself in a chair on the
other side Of the fire and began to I'LL
his pipe.
"of course you are staying here for the
night" he said. II have told them to get
a room ready for you"
"Yes-Jack-I suppose I must stay here
just for the night"
You must have come down by the
same train as Lord Arthur" he said.
Veg likely ! did not see him."
There was silence for nearly minute.
Once Mrs, Travers looked up at her
brother, as If she intended to speak, but
no words came from her lips.
~ hope Jimmie is going on all right
said Erleigh.
Yes, Jack-yes."
You wanted to talk to me about him
about his future?"
''No. Jack-Lady wimberley has been
very hnd-I can't tell you how kind she
has been"
"she is the best OF women" said
Erlelgh quietly But she had every rea-
son to be kind to jim The poor boy
saved Joan from disfigurement-perhaps
worse"
Again there was silence. and Erleigh
experienced a certain feeling of uneasi-
ness As he looked at the profile of his
sisters face II seemed to him that some
danger was threatening her Her very
obvious unwillngness to speak of II
seemed to indicate that he was to be
asked to do something to help her-some-
thing that she could not expect even a
brother to do.
"well. Grace, dear" he said, after a
long pause; what Is It you want to
speak to me about?
She turned and looked at him.
''Vertigan." she said abruptly.
His face was like a mask as she scruti-
nized II, but the light I'm his eyes seemed
to flicker and go out like the last CLEAN
OF an extnguished candle. She noticed,
too. the sudden tightening of his lips.
'"VertiganI' he queried after a pause
"Do yeu mean the science masteF?
yes. Jaek-that's the man mean"
'But. my dear Grace, what on earth"
~ met Mr.. Vertigan IN London, she
interrupted. during the Christmas holI-
days. II doesn't matter where or when
met him He seemed 10 take a fancy
10 mean odlous little fellow. | call him;
but know nothing about him-nothing
whatever All know is that since then
he has been prosecuting me with his at
tentions--in fact--he-he wants to marry
me-of course the idea Is absurd-quite
out OF the question-why should l want
10 marry an ugly little fool like thatG
She spoke rapidly, now that she had
found her tongue at last. II seemed as
though she had a great deal tn say and
very little time In which 20 say It..
E,rleigh listened to her in anaazement
MY dear Grace" he said, as she
paused for breath and seemed eager TO
ing. Yertigan-in love with you-but my
daar afrl-F
II suppose he thinks TIA be better for
his position" she broke In hurriedly
We'll anyway, It doean't matter. He
wants 20 marry me and ne talks as Il
he could make me marry him."
MY dear Graes-he-he must be of
his head What on earth do you msan?''
"FIe said" she continued and she kept
her eyes naed on her hrother's face as
she spoke. that you are IN his power
that II he chooses he can ruin you--can
send you 70 prison"
ieigh's eyes and then died away again.
he iaughed-alInOst TOO bollterouaiy.
The man Is mad be said. 'I'n have
10 set rld % him-st once-lts not safe
70 have him herewith ny boys" And
asain he iaushed--lonE and heartily.
Grace Trasers shuddefed She knew
now thai Yertigan had spoken the truth.
That look Ia her brothera eyes~that
harsh. unnaturai Laughter told her ail
fhat ehe seaFea 80 know She rose from
hzf chair
0a| So @sae ~ lhs usH sha ~.
f aeq efe farslf sos p feer
l s teitsf a ~
#H