Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1918-09-02
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In Which Comet Goes Lame

WHEN, one evening In the late autumn,
w David Meudon reached the entrance to
stoneleigh Garden. where Una Leighton
awaited him., 1t was evident something I'M
usual had happened.
YOU are late" she saic, as no clasped the
slender hand extended to hin in welcome
Il could ride no faster. Comet Is lame"
The tired bay. belying his name, stood
dejectedly, one white foreleg slightly bent.
as II seeking relief from a weight it was
weary OF bearing. By the friendly way in
which he stretched forth his muzzle to touch
the girls proffered fingers. Comet was evil
IDENTIFY not a stranger to her endearments.
poor Comet. Why didn't you take bet.
ter care Of him."
II was too impatient at the start, and
that got him into trouble. After that. OF
course, we had to go slowly. l hated the
delay. I hated having to listen to my
own thoughts for SO long"
Her gray eyes fixed auestioningly upon
the bronzed, sharp-featured man, she noted
his restless gaze. his riding whips irritable
tattoo on polished b~oot-top as he stood at
her side. Then. finging her arms about
his neck. her face. flushed with pleasure
and expressive Of a mingled tenderness and
anxiety. turned expectantly TO his.
David, you are here - she said i'm
pulsiyely. "You are glad. aren't you? Say
that your thoughts aren't gloomy any more"
What need to say TINA J!
Silently the two lovers threaded the box
bordered path leading to the great stone
oisSto <SyOtef iNhoAho ~ N~
flowers that still blcomed in a struggling
sort Of way. or marking the loss of those
whose gay ieolors and delicate fragrance
had formed a part of their own joyous
companionship a month ago. But this
evening. as If rejecting natures autumn
mood. there was something of melancholy
restraint. where restrain had never been pe-
fore-in pavid's bearing: while with Una
there was an affectionate solicitude that
strove to soothe an unspoken trouble.
you must stay tonight" she said, at
would be cruel to ride Comet back"
But your uncle-will he care to have me
here"
"what a question! OF course he will"
Are you sure? He was in town the other
day to see me-. Did he tell your"
mo. But then, Uncle Harold seldom tells
what he has been doing"
He was in one of his grim moods:
cordial enough outwardly. but. inside, l felt
a curious sort of malevolence. That's an
ugly word-but II seemed Just that
Uncle Harold malevolent! That isn't very
nice of you to say"
He asked me II i thought our marriage
should take place"
And you said-F
Nothing"
David ~
"I am unworthy of you, Una-I feel 1t.
There are men, you know, who have in their
mast things that make them unworthy the
woman they love. / confess, there are dark
shadows, haunting things In my past. l can't
explain them, even to myself. I don't alto
gether know what they are-queer as that
sounds But-some day they might come be-
tween us. When 1 rode over just now, I made
up my mind to try to tell you. You ought to
know"
David" she interrupted, II don't want to
know. / love you as you are today. III you
were different in the past, before I knew you.
don't care to hear about it,"
In spite of his Interpretation, in the
eyes of the world David Meudon would be
regarded In every way a worthy suitor for the
hand of Una Leighton. Clean Of stock, SO far
as the gifts Of blood and social station go.
he had inherited besides a fortune that
would be considered large even in a nation
Of milIionaires. This inheritance, coming to