Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-01-02

| 7 POURED myself another cup Of coree
| L drank It mechanically and touched the
bell for Katie TO clear away the breakfast
| things.
did not try to disguise to myself the
| fact that | was extremely miserable The
announcement that Dickys mother was
| coming TO live with us had upset me, and
the exhibition OF Dictv'g sc'hshncss which
! had just witnessed added to my un-
happiness.
The day at Marvin, on which I had so
counted. had been disappointment to me
on account OF the attention Dcky had paid
TO Miss Draper, ! reflected bitterly to my
self that ! nigh. just as well have spent
tho afternoon with Mrs. Smith NJ the Lotus
club. discussing the history course which
she wished me 20 undertake for the club.
The thought Of Mrs. Smith reminded me
OF the promise I had made her when lcav-
Ing for Marvin, that I would call her UP On
my return and tell her when I could nfS.
her [ resolved 10 telephone her at once.
You no want noting more. MissIs Gra-
ham?' KatIes distressed voice stopped me
as I rose from the table.
Nothing more this morning, thanE you
Katie" ! returned smiling at her Eatic's
genuine interest in me and concern FOR my
welfare is most comforting sometimes.
You no eat much as little ca-na-ry bird"
she grumbled as she cleared the table, and
indeed her complaint was somewhat iusti-
fed had only toyed with the food on my
plate.
debated for n long minute before calling
Mrs. Smith, trying to decide what attitude
/ should adopt toward her. When she had
liist teleploncl me, making the appoint
ment to meet me at the little tearoom.
had been charmed with her voice ANA man
nor Then she had abruptly broken the
appointments giving the trivial excuse that
the hour she had given me was the one her
masSeusc usually gave her
But even that action had not preiudiced
me against her rs had her voice and man
nor when, the next morning, she had called
mo up and said the mnsseuse had disnp-
pointed her and that she would like her
original appointment. When / told her that
! was just leaving with my husband for
day In the country she had been almost
offensive.
Evidently she expected me to defer to her
whmS Perhaps-I wag panic-striclcn as
| thought of it-pcrhaDs she had reConsid-
cred her decision to offer mo the leadership
CT 'he study course, I had not realized
how much | had counted on this chance to
make some money Of my own until tho
possibility that might lose it struck me-
But my self-rcspect soon asserted itself
Even FOR the money which | wanted so
much ! could not allow Mrs. Smith to ride
roughshod over me.
drew long breath as I took down tho
telephone receiver l felt as if J were about
to take n cold plunge or n shower bath.
Chelsea S7G9." My voice was not
steady as gave the number to the opera
tor.
But 1t did not trembe in the least when,
after a maid had summoned Mrs. Smith 10
the telephone. | heard her voice
This is Mrs Smith, WHO is this.
please?'
Mrs. Richard Graham"
"Oh!" Just the monosyllabe and then
silence Evidently she meant to throw the
burden Of the conversation on me.
You may remember Mrs. Smith" I be-
gan smoothly, that / told you Yesterday
morning | would call YOU up on my return
from my days outing. II was too late
last night when ! returned for me TO dis
turb you, so l am taking the fret oppor-
tunIty this morning"
I stopped short there. for did not
wish to suggest an appointment if she
had already dccIdedsnot to offer me the
position. | would not allow her TO give
me that humiliation.
There was another long pause so long
In fact that In another instant | should
have hung up the receiver Mrs Smiths
voice sounded in my ears just in time.
oh. yes. Mrs. Graham, / remember now"
she began as II she had difficulty in plac-
ing me In her mind | knew by her tone
that she had decided to put her wounded
feelings aside and leave her proposition still
open to me.
Gould you meet me this afternoon Mt
three at the little tearoom on Twenty-cighth
street Of which we spoke the other day?"