Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1919-04-12
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that La Montague addressed his equal !
ly silent companion. |
Evelyn writes that her mother Is
much incensed that I met her as she
states, clandestinely, and forbids that |
she go again' to stay with Madame |
Van Ness" he said. TT is unfair
unjust! Next time" His mouth
closed like a steel trap. Il begin to
think like Madame Van Ness"
Maynard looked at him keenly'
what do you mean?"
Madame Van Ness told me Wednes-
day afternoon that Mr.. and Mrs. Burn
ham both disliked me; for what 1
know not, but she suggested--
"Yes, go on!" There was subdued
eagerness in Maynard's tone.
"She suggested that while Mrs
Burnham's prejudice against me might
be prompted by her husband, his dis
like was traceable to en- event In
Paris. But It hardly seems possible
he broke off to add.
"Oh, go on, man; I can judge bet
ter perhaps than you
"Burnham had his face slapped by
Andre de Sartiges at the club in
Paris; he did not challenge, as is
the French custom" Maynard, drink
ing in what he said, nodded compre-
hension. Later Burnham cut short
his visit in Paris, or so I heard after
ward I was but spectator at the
quarrel in the club; in fact the scene
was ridculously funny and laughed
Back to Maynards memory came
Eyelyn's words. "Mr. Burnham hates
TO be made ridiculous"
"Humph! It looks as II your sense
of humor had cost you BRIDE he
remarked dryly. "Burnham has appa'
rently brooded over your untimely
mirth until he has exaggerated it into
a capital offense."
But then he is Of unbalanced
mind" exclaimed La Montague, as
tonished. "To think of laugh seven
years old and charge me with an at
tempt to kill because Of it - Mon
Dieu" He shook his head. Are
such things possible? But yet Madame
Van Ness believes Burnham's enmity
is of the past, and she is discerning
s you have discussed the matter with
herr" Something odd in .Maynard's
tone caused the Frenchman to glance
at him quickly, but his face was eX-
pressionless
But yes, she is Evelyn's best
friend" La Montague answered sim.
ply. "She has been most kind in aid
ing me to set straight certain mis-.
understandings with Evelyn. She has
most sympathetic nature. You like
herr nest ce pas?"
"Yes, oh, yes" Maynard drew out
his cigarette case and offered it to his
companion. Have one?"
There was silence as tle French
man busted himself in striking match
which he first. held against Maynard's
cigarette before lighting his own.
She is very beautiful, that Madame
Van Ness" pursued La Montague. Il.
she divorce or a widow"
Maynard, gazing into the street, saw
that their chauffeur was passing the
/. Potomac Garage instead Of stopping
and tapped upon the plate glass parti
ton and signed to the chauffeur to pull
UP at the curb.
what did you say, Rene?" he asked
'Is Madame Van Ness a divorcee Of
a widow"
There is no Mr.. Van Ness-here W.
are; come on" and opening the dool
he sprang to the sidewalk, followed b.
the Frenchman, A man, evidentl!
the foreman from his manner ant
dress, sauntered up and Maynard
spoke to him.
"Is there a chauffeur named San
employed here? He drives frequently
for Mr.. James Palmer" he added b.
: way of explanation, as he saw th'
foreman looked dubious.
"Oh, aye" Ferguson turned ant
called to a helper lounging near tn
entrance. Tell Dutch to come here
and the man threw down his tool
: and ran in the building. The foreman
turned back to Maynard. Dropped
anything in his carr" he asked.
mo"
Further conversation was cut shor
by the appearance OF sam. still carry
ing the waste he had been busily wip
4 ing his hands on when sent for. J
streak Of black grease showed plainl.
where he had pusheu ms red hair oi
his forehead.
whats wanted, Boss?" he asReo
Ferguson with a Jerk Of his thumb ir
dicated Maynard and the chauffeu
looked at him and bobbed his head 4
recognition. Ferguson, mildly curious
propped himself against a lamp-pos
and prepared to listen TO the interview
but the. arrival OF several taxicab
called him away to his duties.
Maynard ~aited an appreciable m,
ment for La Montague to speak, but q
vss Frenchman said nothing, he az
dressed the waiting taxidriver,
you weie in the Bellevue apar
ment house last night between an
10 O'Clock" 1t was an assertion
but Sam took II as a question and al
swered briskly.
YES. sir; went there to tax
Colonel Jean" Sans pronunciatio
was somewhat faulty. ito the traiI
Ne kent ma waiting 40 long we mos