Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1915-04-06

Martha's eyes were troubled as she
hung up the receiver.
Just like BERTHE" she mused taking
up her coat, cap and goggles, and going
slowly up the stairs. Exactly like BERTHE.
This morning we We're to spend our last
afternoon sailing; at noontime he sends
"a messenger TO say he had changed his
mind. and would come in his automobile;
now he telephones that we will go on our
bicycles to the redwoods"
'Unstable as water, but handsome as
a king-ought to be-" was her thought a
few minutes later. They were walking
down the garden path to the bicycles
awaiting at the gate
Here's flower for YOU" he said,
saily. stopping to pick a pelargonium
Fitting symbol of you is this Martha
Washington. Not bit hiEh-toned, but
smiling alike on the rich and the poor;
delicately colored, but sturdy for all that,
my Martha"
She responded absently to his chatter
She was glad he did not seem to expect
much of her in the way of conversation.
II suppose you have been wondering
why I changed my mind so often?''
They had walked up hills and wheeled
down them and over the level places and
along the cool. shady path to the red
woods. They were sitting where
streamlet leaped forward to kiss the feet
OF the ferns; where the Tedwoods gave
out soothing fragrance. a few steps
away was garish sunshine, but here,
shade and GOODNESS and quiet. Martha's
troubled heart lightened. and she smiled
winsomely into Bertie's face.
''Why?" she queried.
Because l am going to ask you some
thing, and / wanted to choose the best
place for it.. This is the best of all,
Isn't 1t, beloved? I want you to marry
me, Martha, tonight, and go away with
me. or not go away. I don't know that
care anything about seeing New York,
anyway"
you want me to marry you tonight
for fear that by Christmas or Septem-.
ber, or tomorrow. you might change your
mind? Thanks for the compliment, and
no. thank you. for the offer"
Bertie's face was white She was
savagely glad she had hurt him, He
might realize little of her suffering.
'Do you think I want a husband who
changes his mind on a subject as many
times as there are hours In a day? What
pleasure is there in you, Bertie Harrison,
and what confidence can one have? We
we're to read 10 improve our minds. You
began with William Tell-at the arrow
scene; then you took a chapter in ''Mer-
chant OF Venice; next you thought Bur-
ton Holmes travels"
Don't Martha" BERTHE interrupted.
Probably I shall thank you sometime;
but Just now can't stand any more than
a homeopathic dose"
II Berthe had gotten furious with her.
or IL he had cried-she felt II she
would not have been surprised to see him
cry like any girl-she could have kept on
pelting him with her sharp words; but
10 have him quiet and white-that was
something she could not bear. Tears
dropped on the Martha Washington in
her cold hand.
Forgive me, dear. didn't mean"
Pardon me, Martha. l think you meant
exactly what you said. In the fash OF
your words, l see what ! wonder l have
failed TO discover heretofore. Isn't there
5 saelng that If you can properly diagnose
8 ease. the cure Is half ehected2 II
overcome the fault, ana make a man OF
myself. may expect your favor
Aarkhass
she shook her head.
= can't have any faith in YOU, BERTHE.
has after all you are not 10 blame. You
Ean't be different; there are too many
aHas against you. It's hereditary
father knew your father well, Gemini
s gauE birth sign-tWo forces pulling in
aHpezite directions; then your fortune
stanaa IN snur way and even your name
zaa eeald never expect a Napoleon Of a
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