Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1918-07-24
7AAllLY CAN FIND SOMETHING INTERESTING
THE DAILY NOVELETTE,
MY LADY NCOCNITO
By Mildred VI. Basfion

TACK PERRY and Miriam Shelby had
y grown up together in the little
southern town as playmates on the
day when Jack had been sent North TO
attend school. and later college. II had
been sad and to-be-rememhered part
ing. For, carving their initials on a
tree in the old garden where they had
spent so many happy hours, Jack made
= solemn promise TO. some day In the
near future. return and marry Miriam.
Neither ever forgot that promise.
IN New York. many years later, JACK
Perry graduated from college with hon
ors, and therein began his career, from
which social affairs were not barred
While guest at Weekend party ne
met the only Girl She was young
and beautiful actress of southern birth.
VIII, had recently come North seeking
fam" and fortune She Immediately ac-
udired 10th. AS soon as Jack saw her
he fell in love with her. But not once
dil he forget his promise to Miriam:
whom he had not seen since his sad
parting with her. and of whom he re-
memhercd nothing except that she had
always Irnn a pretty. agreeable child.
Then came one day when he asked
vivaciouS little Marion stevens the ac-
tress. to become his wife. and she ac-
certed \ little later, IN happy burst
of confidence he told her of his mad
promise to his childhood sweetheart:
Bat h, FASTENED TO explain that said
promise could not in any way BIND
him to Miriam, and that he could easily
fix il up with her and she would un-
dcrstand it all perfectly. He gave a
sclf-assured laugh as he said this last.
But Miss Stevens's pretty face dark
ened with displeasure as she listened to
Jack Then she proceeded to give him
her candid opinion Of his actions, which
opinion was indeed unflattering.
She finished her scoldinE by telling
him to go back Immediately to the girl
to whom he had given first choice of
c
refused to listen. and at last he grum-
blnglr obeyed.
Thus it was that a week later found
Jack en- route for the South, Miss
a few days before, Manlke. he tried
to comfort himself by the thought that
Miriam. his first choice might still he
very attractive. and might not regret
that choice. But somehow he could not
rid himself of the picture of Marion
Stevens, with her wealth of golden hair
and her large blue eyes. That bew!tch-
ing picture continued 70 linger in his
young heart. II was with a sigh that
he descended at length to the platform
of the dusty little station in his home
town and looked about for Miriam and
some sort OF conveyance. He expected to
see graceful, n"werlihe creature glide
out into the sunshin" To greet him. He
| gave a start Of surprise when he saw
| instead the stately old two-horSe car.
| riage, driven by an old darky. on the
| hack seat OF IN" conveyance ne saw
small. prim. Old-fashiOned girl. She wore
a plain gray dress and her shoes were
| broad of toe and low of heel ON the tor
of her yellow hair. which was parted ir
| the middle and drawn tightly back from
her forehead in one long. yellow bra it
was perrhed small. ludicrous hat. Her
! features, especially her eyes, were dis
| figured by large dark glasses. In
stinctively Jack knew this was Miriam
and his heart sank He greeted heI
| pleasantly enough. but her remarks were
cold and perfunCtOry and they drov,
! home in silence. So 1t was day afte,
day. and the date set for the marrag
/ he had brought on himself and hadn'
/ the heartessnesS to forbid was growine
, nearer and nearer.
One day. thinking to draw her out ot
her shell of cold reserve. Jack Offered
to take Miriam for a ride in the one
automobile that the town possessed
They were speeding along outside of the
town when Jack, for NE first time hearc
his companion indulge in long. silver!