Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1915-03-20

The first clear tones Of the answering
voice reassured him.
I'm so sorry to have given you any
Inconvenience" it said; but ! was de-
tained over town on an errand.'
"t understand" replied Craig ut was
very important that ! communicate with
you this morning. have just received n
letter from Canada, which has been de-
layed day or two in transmission. 1t
informs me that | am to bring my client
that's you to the Ritz-Carlton, on
Wednesday. the third-thats today. We
are to sit down at the third table from
| the second window, on the left side Of
the room, as you enter. The time Is 4:"O.
! Can you be thcre?'
"Certainly," came back the girls voice.
! And she repeated the time and the place
| toInake sure.
AGts queer appointment for a business
7 meeting" commented Craig "At that
! time in tho afternoon, the place is liable
| TO be packed with a lot Of fashionable
! women drinking tea"
"Oh! Then I must be very smart" she
! called back. her voice vibrant with eN-
element and delight I'm SO glad ! got
my new hat this morningl That was
what was detalning me over town.
Rutherford grinned into the mouth
piece but he liked the femininity Of the
observation. Here was a girl going TO
an important meeting to claim large
fortune-if Miss Arany were not there
to dispute her rght-and the thought
uppcrrnost I'm her mind was the costume
she should wear!
by the bye" observed Craig, before
hanging up the receiver, has any one
at your end OF the line by any chance
overheard our conversations"
why, no" replied the girl quickly.
There's no one else here, except Sophie"
Rutherford wondered IL Miss Arany
knew also of the method by which the
property was to be claimed. and had like
wise been invited to the Ritz-Carlton TO
prove her right II would be an exciting
state of affairs II these two young women
confronted each other in Il fashionable
and crowded dining room. Stranger things
had happened He found himself antc-
ipating the interview with the EAGER /
ness OF the small boy who has his first !
circus ticket in his pocket.
He was waiting in the hotel lobby when |
her cab drove up. She had made good I
her word; she was smart, He saw other |
men and more than one woman second I
his decision by turning for another glance
at the slight, erect young person in her
close, velvet street gown and the big
velour hat Haunting single white plume
which swept around the crown and
ducked queerly but attractively under the
brim.
IheN turned together ana walked TO-
ward the tea room Their images Young
with the springtimc of life and smart at
tire, moved beside them in the long mir
rors.
I'm glad you waited for the hat" he
said darngly.
"'rhen I couldn't have passed muster
otherwise?" she parred shaking her
head in mock sadness.
Now you are fishing," he challenged;
land my proper response should be-you
are perfect in anythng-but ! refuse to
say it."
TOO late now to mend YOUR fences"
she rcprovcd. Besides, you know that
perfection cannot he improved upon"
Thus chatting they found themselves at
the table agreed upon. Miss Balantyne
lifted the lapel of her coat and looked at
n tiny watch in the buttonhole.
ITS just 4;3O now" she said "Oh