Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1919-10-23
Dora Wharton

7 WAS awakened by the sun stream
L into the windows Of my room at
ll"dgcwatcr House. and. without wait.
ing Tor the extra twenty Wuks to which
we are, all entitled, jumped out OF
bed and dressed
The outlook from my window com.
mandcd a splendid view Of the Ilar
mony river. The day was clear. cool
and crisp and the sun shining upon the
smooth waters of the noble STREAM
caused it to sparkle with a diamond like
effect. There was a bend in the river
at this point and the suggestion of
n cove Just above Ilcdgcwatcr remind
cd me of what had read of the glores
of the Bay of Naples
The view about the house was equally
grateful to the eye. Seen from this
height and bathcd in the light of the
morning sun. llcdgrwatcr House seemed
to lose much of the SOmbcrucSS that
had oppressed me on my arrival the
night before. The high hedge about
the estate formed natural green wall
that gave it privacy without the
coldncSs that goes with stone wall
The grounds We're attractivcIy laid out
III walks and drives. with here and
there a picturesque flower garden and
everywhere green. vclvcty lawns. Near
the waters edge was n little summer
house, with latticcd sides and red
roof that cOntraStod pleasantly with
the green grass and the blue water.
| tclt satisfied that. externally. at
least. ! was going to enjoy my stay
at Hcdgewater House.
But with this feeling there came the
consciousness of my purpose in this
house. | was coming there under false
pretenscs with the intention of spyinA
upon its occupants That thought gave
mo an uneasy feeling. Almost in the
same instant | excused myself with
the remembrance that was there in
the line of duty. And recalled the
words of Bromley Barnes when he said
that the man who served his country in
It's secret service was just rs much Of
a patriot as if he were soldier or Il
sal or defending its flag and its honor.
Attcr dressing ] went down the broad
Railways and out into the garden.
had been told to make myself at home
and | proceeded to do so. It was a
perfect day and the promise given of
the estate from my window was more
than fulfilled in my walk about the
grounds. Presently | caught Il glimpse
of white skirt in the distance.
Evidently was not the only one who
had risen early to get the benefit of the
morning air. Although n stranger
was obeying the injunction to make my
self lat home. 1t seemed rather in
formal and unusual. but | continued to
stroll about in the expectation of meet
ing some one to whom | could make
my identity known At that moment
caught another glimpse of the white
skirt and the next instant | bcheld n
girl cutting flowers from bush and
arranging them in bouquet. She was
young and attractive. That 'much was
evident. even from n distance.
Presently. at sharp turn in the
path, | came face to face with the
girl. She was evidently about twenty
two or three and full of life and vivac-
ity She was slender and there was Il
natural grace and Quickncss in her
movements. But it was her face that
attracted my attention. a face framed
i'll profuson of glossy black hair. Her
forehead was broad and white and
smooth and heightened the intellectual
look which wonsthe instant respect of
the observer. But any possible fear
that she might be a blue stocking was
diSpelled by the quizAical good naturrd
inquiring black eyes and the smiling
lips.
Such was Dora Wharton as she ap-
pcared to me before | knew her name
and before | became acquainted with
the qualities of her heart and mind
which--for me-set her apart from the
members of her sex,
The moment she saw me her face
frightened and she came forward with
Outstretched hand. There was a child
like frankness and cagcrneSS about her
that irresistibly attracted me at the
start and | felt a sense of pleasure at
her approach
IF l am not mistaken she said
smilngly, this is Mr., Hugh Garland. ="
You are not amistaken. I replied
quietly, matching AeT smile
Il see that / must present myself, :"
she continued. with that engaging
frankness. Il am Miss Dora Wharton. i"
TT is a pleasure to meet you" /
responded. inwardly berating myself at
my inability to think of any more ap-
propriate response.
During this Interchange of civilHies
she had busted herself in arranging the
flowers she held in hcr hand Some
of the Stems showed propensity to
waywardncss and she knitted her brows
as she forced them into place.
II don't know what you must think
of us, Mr., Garland, she said pres
emily, 'but by a chain Of circumstances
over which we had no control there
was no one to meet You on your ar
rival at Hedgewater House last night -
The latencss of the hour ! mur-
INJURED. '"Thc fault was all my own. -