Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-08-17
CHAPTER NNI-(ContinucdD

ALL this time Shirley had been watching |
n with growing curiosity the fancy work |
on which Miriam sewed go ndustriously. At |
last she ventured
Miriam, I'm regular old maid. l
haven't been one hour in your house and
already I'm burning up with curiosity TO
know just what you're making"
Miriam glanced moment out Of the
window, then she answered somewhat
evasively:
why, it's hit Of embroidery ."
But Shirley was not yet satisfied and
went on 10 protest:
"But what is it? Miriam. must know
Miriam Challoner hcsitated for an instant
then holding up In the air a tiny infants
dress she said softly:
We'll, II you must know why you
must"
There was long pause, At last shr-
ley exclaimed:
isn't II dainty, who is it for, Miriam?"
Miriam raised her head and looked
squarely into the eye Of her friend the next
moment Shirley had her arms about Miriam,
and drawing her close to her she cried
joyfully:
"You precious thing, I'm so glad, oh. so
glad, But why didn't you say so bcfore?"
Miriam smiled softly.
I'm just bit old-fashioned. I'm afraid"
she murmured. Nowadays It's the thing
to mako such announcements through n
mega phone from the housrtops.'
For some time she continued to sew In
silence Shirley watching her the while
All Of sudden Shirley drew n long breath
and said:
Miriam. wish I were happily married
It's the only life for a woman
"Yes, you are right" assented Miriam
joyously, from which had fed the rccollec-
i,,t Iagt fot
"I have always taken the keencst inter-
est in tho romances of others, hut ] want
something more than mere Nicarious In
| forest In romanccs-marriagc. I'm n mar
rving woman" declared the girl. "and |
dread the thought of being an old maid"
Miriam laughed.
And yet they say that they're tho hap
pest women
ooh. but n real woman is one who has n
husband and children" shirley stretched
forth her arms as though 10 grasp all life
within them-"children to bring up to wipe
their noses and dress them for school and
TO hear them say their prayers at night
That's life. 1t isn't pride with me; it's
instinct"
Miriam thought moment. Finally she
ventured:
but you've had dreams There was
"Murgatrovd," broke in the girl, "is not
nv ideal. No, indeed. not after what he
| did"
'Then, there was Thorne," persisted Mir
| lam. "and Thorne may be United state Sen
| ator. too--he's forged ahead"
Shirley laughed and fushed IN turn fres-
emily she said:
| "I'Il tell you secret. Miriam"
Miriam smiled.
1--WE seem to be full OF secrets today"
| "yes" returned Shirley. "only yours Is a
| respectable married woman's secret; mine
| mustn't be told. Well" she confessed at
last, "I've seen Thorne since / came pacK'
| and"
"Nom Miriam calculated
| "yesl He proposed to me once more,
and"
You accepted him?"
| Shirley frowned.
"No-if / had accepted him, It wouldn't
| be secret"
| Miriam looked at her b!ankly.
'Why did you refuse him.?
| Shirley seemed puzzled
| THAT'S Just what want to know myself.
don't know why. Somehow | couldn't
marry Thorne."
| "WeIl, for some unexplainable reason, I'm
glad of that" assented Miriam.
Tell me about Murgatroyd." said shir.
lev suddenly reseating herself. Il haven't
seen him , ,,,.
,or, "As a reformer. he's been a success.
| He's serving his second term as prosecutor,
| you know. II seems he wanted to finish
his work there"
| Shirley tossed her head,
"Who couldn't with all that money"
| "IJe and Thorne" went on Miriam, ARE
riyais for the United States senatorship.
1rhjnps are growing warm too hear but
,t's onIv a question of a day for two nov