Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1919-02-20

THE t,ngle Of the telephone broke the
i stiffness of the June day. Again and
gain it rang violently and might have
continued indefinitely had not Rover
reused his mistress from her comforta-
BILE nap in the hammock: tie strehu,
and then tapping her cheek that she
heed that insistent bell.
Hello. Bah, where in the world have
you been? I've been standing on one
foot, then on the other, and was just
about to try my head when you chirped
hello in a most peculiar way. No. no ;
stop begging my pardon. I've not time
TO listen to excuses now. Meet me at
the Country club at 5 o'clock and woe
be unto one fair damsel If she keeps me
waiting again. Good-by." The receiver
went up with "A click.
We'll, this is interesting. to say the
least" unused Peg. Some ones rather
mart. ordering me around. He has a
nice voice, but he didn't even give me
time to tell him / wasn't Bah. / wonder
wrJ she is His lady fair. ] presume.
I'd like to get even with him for inter-
rupting my nap
She settled herself once more comfort
ably in the hammock, but this time was
unable to indulge in anything but day
dreams. Life was terribly stupid here
at Aunt Eliza's why not, for a little
excitement, take a stroll to the Country
Club at . and p~ercnance just get a
glimpse of the owner of that voice. To
be sure, it was merely an attempt to
satisfy Idle curiosity. but it was better
than simply lolling around the rest OF
the afternoon.
Promptly at . o'clock she leisurely
made her way along the spacious We
randa of the clubhouse, ~endeavoring by
casual glances to locate the one of
whom she was in search. There were
groups scattered here nd there in
threes and tours, and merry ~"good-bys'
rams through the air as many We're leav-
ing. Not q sign of her prey. At last
she gpied a dlsconsolate figure pacing
fur'ously back and forth near the en-
trance. He fingered his watch nervous
ly and scowled from time to time.
Hello. old chap, what's up" You
look as if you'd not only eaten lacks
but swallowed the box as we'll. Allow
me to introduce my friend, Miss Mere
dith. Madge. this is Ted Burton. He
and Tom Wood are building some of the
incest houses
Burton acknowledged the introduction
and then said, Il phoned my sister &c
meet me here at five. She helps on the
interior decorating and We have a rust
order on one Of the houses. Shes usu-
ally prompt-a pretty good business
woman
Peggy strolled by just in time TO hear
This explanation, also to be grabbed
unceremoniously by her old frieno
Madge. who pounced upon her, de
voured her with questions, and then in
troduced her TO her fiance, Bob Ken
nedy, and TO his friend, Ted Burton.
After q few commonplace remark
Pegev's eyes twinkled merTily. Are
YOU quite sure, Mr.. Burton, that YOU go
your sister by phone? BY the way, ii
her name Bab""
"Whv, yes! Are you a mind reader?'
Not exactly. Some one was unkint
enough to rouse me from a most de
Hciovs nap-order me here at 3 sharp
and. Just through sheer feminine curl
Osity. | aine.
Ali Joined in the laughter ard Tec
forgave the telephone operator for thu
giving Of the wrong exchange.
Well" he said, since there are ~
hopes of my sister putting in an appea
ance, why not all of us take a run GU
TO- lie cottage? You say you and Mis-
q Meredith are interested. Bob. l nigh
as we'll do a little advertising, 30,
know"
They were all enthusiastic and cage
to go, and their enthusiasm knew M
bounds when they beheld the tiny homes
lust the most comfortable places i'm
aginable for young folks.
Six months later. Ted's advertising
had worked so well that Madge and Bol
were now happy as could be in II o
the wee houses.
Right next door, II YOU watch at per
haps not 5 o'clock sharp, but a few
minutes later, you will see in the door
way a smiling face with roguish BROW
Good evening, Mr.. Architect. No, yo'
needn't beg my pardon this time. Thi
is not the wrong number Come RICH
The next complete novelette-Ashes.