Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1918-08-19
CHAPTER XVI (Continued)

CHAPTER XVI (Continued)
NTR SMITH greeted Donald Gray with
lHl a warm handshake and n keen glance
into his face. The blush. the hesitation. the
shy happiness in Mellcents eyes had been
unmstakable.
Mr. smith felt suddenly that Donald Gray
was a man he very much wanted to know
good deal about. He chatted affably for
minute. Then he went home and straight
Who's Donald Gray please?" he de-
manded.
Miss Maggie laughed and threw up her
hands.
"Oh. these children"
"But who Is he?'
We'll to begin with, he's devoted to
Mellicent"
You don't have to tell me that. have
seen him--and Mellicent.'
"Oh." Miss Maggie smiled appreciatively
What I want to know Is. who Is he?"
Hes a young man whom Mellicent met
| this summer He plays the violin. and Mel
| licent played his accomplishments in a
| church entertainments That is where she
met him first. He's the son of minister
near their camp. where the girls went to
church. He's fine fellow, I guess. He's
hard hit-that's sure. He came to IIlier-
! ton at once. and has gone to work in Ham
monds real estate office. So you see he's
| in earnest
II should say he was, liked his ap-
| pearance very much -
Yes. dd-but her mother doesn't"
What do you mean? She-objects?"
decidedly She says he's worse than
| Carl Pennock-that he hasn't got any
money, not any money"
Money" calculated Mr. Smith, in genuine
| amazement. You don't mean that she's
| really letting money stand in the way II
Melliccnt cares for him? Why, it was only
year ago that she herself bitterly censur-
ing Mrs. Pennock for doing the same thing
in the case of young Pennock and Meicent."
"I know" nodded Miss Maggie. But
she seems to have forgotten that"
| Shoes on the other foot this time"
| 1T seems to be-"
"Hm-m" muttered Mr.. Smith.
II don't think Jane has done much yet
| by way OF opposition. You see, they've only
reached home, and she's just found out
about It, But she told me she shouldn't let
1t go on. not for moment. She has other
plans for Melicent."
"Shall I be--meddlng in what isn't my
business. II ] ask what they are?' queried
Mr.. Smith diffdently. You know I am very
much interested in--Miss Meicent"
Not bit I'm glad to have you. Per-
haps you can suggest--a way out for u.s."
sighed Miss Maggie. "The case is just this
Jane wants Melicent to marry Hibbard Cay
| lord"
"Shucks! I've seen youne Gray only once
but d give more fer his little finger than I
would for carload of Gaylords!" flung out
Mr.. Smith
80 would l." approved Miss Maggie but
Jane-we, Jane feels otherwise. To begin
| CaylOrd
attentions to Mellicent-the more so pe-
cause he's left Bessie-I beg her pardon.
| 'EliZabeth'-for her.
Then Miss Elizabeth is in It, too?"
very much in 1t. That's one of the
reasons why Hattie is so anxious for more
money She wants clothes and Jewels for
Bessie so she can keep pace with the Cav
loras You see there's wheel within a
wheel here"
Il should say there was,"
AS near as can judge, young GAYLORD is
Bessie - devoted slave-until Melicent arrives
then he has eyes only for her, which piques
BESSIE and her mother not little. They
were together more or less all summer and
think Hattie thought the match was as
good as made. Now once in Hillcrton, back
he flies to Melcent'
"And-Mellicent -
Miss Magge's eyes became gravel,
troubled
II don't understand Mellicent think
nc, know she cares for young Gray; but
well, might well admit it, she Is ready
l any time to firt outrageously with Hibbard
Gaylord, or-or with anybody else. for that
E | matter. l saw her flirting with you at the
t party last Christmas - Miss Maggle's face
1 | showed n sudden pink blush
Q Mr.. Smith gave hearty laugh.
Don't You worry. Miss Maggie. If shell
, fiirt with young Gaylord and Others it's al
. right. There's safety in numbers, you know
! But ! don't like to have her firt at all
. Mr.. Smith"
ut isn't flirting It's just her bottled -ur
e childhood and youth bubbling over She can
d help bubbling, she's been repressed so long
n She'll come out all right and she won't com,
1 out hand in hand with Hibbard Gaylord
O You if she does !"
J. Miss Maggie shook her head and sighed.
It You don't know Jane. Jane will neve
give up. She'll be quiet, but she'll be firm
With one hand she'll keep Gray away an,
with the other she'll push Gaylord forward
Even Meicent herself won't know how it.
done. But it'll be done and tremble for tn
- | consequence
"H-m-m!" Mr. Smiths eyes had lost thei
twinkle now To himself he muttered: g
n wonder H. maybe-I hadn't better take
" hand in this thing myself"
n- You said-I didn't understand what yo
,s said" murmured Miss Maggie doubtfully
10 "Nothing-nothing, Miss Maggie" reptile
the man. Then. with business-lille alertnes.
Is he lifted his chin. How long do you sa
De | this has been going on?'
ID "Why. especially since they all came hom
n. two weeks ago Jane knew nothing of Donal
lie Gray till then"
n. Where does Carl Pennock come in?"
ye Miss Maggie gave a gesture of despair.
"Oh. he comes in anywhere that he ca
IS. find chance though, to do her justice Nell
IN cent doesn't give hm-many chances"
What does her father say to all this? Ho
I'd does he like young Gray?
ID Miss Maggie gave another gesture of d.
=, spair.
tn "He says nothing-or, rather. he laugh
and says: oh, well. 1t will come out &
ID ! right in time, Young folks will be your
et | folks p"
~ But does he like Gray? He knows him,
nt course"
ur "Oh. yes. he likes him. He's taken him
ride in his car once. to my knowledge"
ID His car Then Mr.. Frank Blaisdell has
~ | a carr"
"Oh, yes, he's just been learning to run
2 Jane says he's crazy over 1t. and that h,
90 | teasing her to go all the time. She says
r.. wants to be on the move somewhere eve
k minute He's taken up golf, too. Did y
de know that?"
on WELL no. / didn't"
a "Oh yes, he's Joined the Hierton Count
Lte | Club. and he goes up to the links every mor