Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1918-06-10
po0yrtoht 1918. by Public LEDGER Co.
1CHAPTER XVI (Continued)

nd, this confession of woman's dear
secret was the last thing that could
~ completely to that young woman's
lawyer" replied the girl, her face
= 1ting. MT. Victor Robinson. There
80 / worked, and Mr.. Roiiinson was
a airing about 1t from the witnesses. l
~ n Of them. Mr.. Rollinson's voice
very gentle but strong; 1t seemed
K 9entlest man In the world. At first
talked to me impersonally, just like /
~ nobody, and then It seemed to me
, manner changed and he treated me
ksN1 ] were the grandest lady in the
Xof1d. Just tDeating me that way made
> feel that way. ~too--while ii lasted.
y lille he talked to me. the world seemed
bright. happy. wonderful place; but
5$49n / went outside and back to work
: - horne at night to the miserable hole
Z . have a to call a home and to find
81 L0hor worse than usual-and I knew
Sxn4re wasn't any hope for anything"
AND have you thought of Mr.. Rollin-
s1ton sincef"
Twice since I had to go to his Office
464in to talk about the accident, and
@Q0h time he was nicer than before. and
- kind. and asked me how l was get
Il on. and II he could do anything
ssxor me: /. told him fine and no. he
3@2ouldnt' Once more he sent for me
B Ap0 ! didn't go because-because I was
to have him ask me that again"
rSylvy," said Ruth. very soberly. at
{no RISK of being a h~usybody. I'm going
tell you something. Victor Robinson
&sil in love with you that first day"
gasped Hester.
ND rounded in an expression of incom-
Z~fehensibility. but her hand made a lit
He involuntary movement toward her
&bfoast, which did not escape the eyes
- either of the other two girls.
He loves you now. reverently, wor-
0hfpfully and unselfishly-as a strong,
noble nature like his would love-" went
On Ruth.
II loves me?' asked Sylvy again.
md now she was pressing one and
nArd against her breast.
Yes; he has not spoken yet because
he was afraid of frightening you, or be-
ing misunderstood but he has never
Z 1tven up hoping. He is not a man who
& ives up. He has watched over you
night and day since. 1t was he, you
\ know, that put Maldono in jail. He
Thought then that you might come and
thank him as you had thanked Jerry.
He hoped. he waited, l expect he prayed
for you to come. What a weak thing a
Big man like that becomes when he is
Ia love! And he has watched over you
eyery hour since"
watched over me? I don't under
stand" said Sylvy in tones of bewil-
Aerment.
4~t+t 4 ces dNeTTtu TNutH, IItTt WdS Il
man that was employed always in the
oeme room with you in the factories and
places where you have worked. He was
there to protect you II you ever needed
4ho rode to and from you work upon
ne same car with you, who saw you
< leave home in the morning and saw you
6 back into II at night"
Sylvy was almost humbled by this sur
efprising assurance of a great. patient,
a1l-considering love on the part of the
1lewyer. There was an exchange of
. 11ances between Hester and Ruth. and
= HE latter continued with:
zone night you did not go home"
4 INT. Robinson knew that?" Sylvy
$Sonked, flushing scarlet.
SS Yes. But his protection guarded you
! carefully that night as il you had
- at home. Yet he was alarmed. The
3rhe Big Sisters did find me, then,
an4 not I them?" exclaimed Sylvy,
: tnEhing quickly to Hester.
Hester hesitated a moment, rather
s~f1rfGhtened, but Ruth trod on more surely.
Il know that Mr.. Robinson sent for
- biggest Of all the Big Sisters and
lGked her aid.
Not at all !" disclaimed Ruth.
erswaly. Tn protecting sylvy from
And I owe you to him - said Sylvy,
yo1ior girls-you have meant everything
me. You have saved me from the
most awful ~despairs. You nave given
ne hope--.even for father. And l owe
Il Ill to Mr.. Robinson"
The girls sense of gratitude was pa
tAatic. and she was very near to giving
y tRay to tears. but rallied after a mo-
Kits a good dea to learn all in
Gno Afternoon" she apologized seriously,
when for a whole year I have been
lnktug everybody who was not at least
80 poo and unfortunate as myself"
But It has made o happy to know
IN III. hasn't itr' inquired Ruth.
Yes" said Sylvy, her small bosom
&oaying, though it's rather-rather
ia (mbling. But oh and her face filled
~ an expression hat ., mingled sdoa sS%i
kout Mr.. Robinson. Some one should
him. He should know better than
~ love me-" Looking very pale and
5 VA4te and helpless, sylvy turned over
her race. and which expressed her
10y Of the eternal fixedness Of things
<Dut you will let him come to you
- and be nice to you. as other girls
VDrs are. and let him tell o of his
s1 urged Ruth, who was just now
vsry. prejudiced advocate of love and
<{yvy's face was whittier. and she
= small hand across her eyes.
sES fyt would be useless" she murmured
oorately.
would be sin :" declared Hester
rnly, doubtful whether Ruth should
y M told SO much. 49,,
But you'll let me be your friend
Hester Is, and come to see you"
9quired Ruth. eagerly.
AS Hester is?" and Sylvy looked into
s. Ncr tall big sisters face with devotion
IA her eyes, as II no one could aspire u
quite such a friend as Hester was
M *sT should like to be friends with you
GHoueh," admitted Sylvy. looking at Ruiz
And let me come to ssee you?"
Hwy shook her head. Only Hester
r my pride could never let me looE
you again And you mustn't try to
T. Anything for me. The Big sisters
u help me, you know. But II We
meet and Just be interested ir
Of course, that's impossible. Oh,
no couldn't be friends
&Its perfectly possible" declared thu
6f1cal Ruth. with assumption OF greai
nom. I'VE have interests in common
love III. You think Victor Rollin
= the most wonderful man in Phila
think Jerry Archer is. So
D q starting point. And let me tel
another political secret-a YER!
~ political secret--'graveyard the!
Robinson the next Mayor O
{ (vys eyes sparkled.
~ Would prove he vas wonderful
nft 1T" she demanded. quickly.
hos Jerryf' inquired Ruth, limo
to Join q moment later in tn,
n her expense which Hester had
III three of them could AFFORD Il
for Il seemed as II at last tina
conjunction Of events which
Zneye along nay be counted upoi