Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1916-10-25

Las Palmas and Dolores announced that
Young Ed" had telephoned from the Lewis
ranch that he would not be home. Yielding
20 sudden impulse. Alaire said TO her
companion:
you must dine with me. Doiore. win
show you TO a room. I win be ready In
half an hour"
Dave hesitated. but II was not In human
nature 10 refuse. Later as he washed
himself and conibed his hair. he had mo-
ment Of misgivings; but the next instant
he asked himself wherein he was doing
wrong Surely there was no law which
denied him the right to love, provided he
kept that love secret. The inner voice
did not argue with him. yet he was dis
quieted and restless as he paced the biz
living room. waiting for his hostess.
The Austin ranchhouse offered n contrast
60 the majority Of Texas country homes
Young Ed" had built almost mansion
for his bride and In the latter years Alaire
had remodeied and changed Il to suit her
own ideas The verandas were wide, the
rooms large and cool and open: polished
floors. brilliant grass mats and easy wicker
furniture gave IL further airiness. The
place was comfortable, luxurious; yet IL
was home and II had an atmosphere.
Not for many years had Dave Law been
a guest amid such surroundings, nnd as the
moments dragged on he began to feel more
and more out of place. With growing dis
this residence was the richest woman in all
this part of Texas. and that he was little
better than n tramp. His free life. his
lack of care and responsibility. had bred
In him a certain contempt for money. new
ertheless, when through the door to the din
ing room he saw Alaire pause TO give q
final touch to the table. he was tempted
TO beat an ignominious retreat. for she was
a radiant vision in evening dress. She was
stately beautiful; her hair was worn hixh.
her arms were bare underneath simmer
OF lace, her gown exposed throat round
and smooth and adorable. In reality, she
was simply clad: but TO the Rangers un-
trained eye she seemed regal, and his own
rough clothes became painfully conspicuous
by contrast
winning hostess; of course. she did not sp-
pear to notice her guests embarrassment
She had rather welcomed the thought
that this man cared for her. and yet, had
she deliberately planned TO dampen MS
feeling. she could hardly have succeeded
better than by showing him the wide dis
parity in their lives and situations. Dave
was dismayed; he felt very poor and
ridiculous. Alaire was no longer the woman
he had ridden with through the solitudes; I;
her very friendliness seemed to be q con-
descension.
He did not linger long after they had
dined, for he wished TO be alone, where no
could reach an understanding with himself.
on the steps he waited just moment for
Aiaire 20 mention, II she chose. that sub
ject which they had still left open on the
night before, Reading his thought. she
| said
"You are expecting me to say something
| about Panfilo Sanchez"
Yes"
'T have thought II over; In fact, have
been thinking about II all day; but even
yet / don't know what to tell you. One
| \ fnQraIw
provoke another act of violence; the next I
feel that Il must be made public regardless
of consequences. As for its effect upon my
self--you know ! care very little what
people say or think"
CONTINUED TOMORROW