Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1919-05-30
DAILY NOVELETTE,
TWO INCONSISTENCIES
BY Grace Prendergast
E,THELBERTA, in her white dress,
BY Grace Prendergast

~ crouchcd on the hearth rug with
one arm around Napoleon's shaggy neck.
Dick, from the depths of the armchair
on the other side of the fireplace
watched it and was almost happy, for
this was the last time, of course, that
he would see her.
Even Ethelberta. who usually talked
great deal, had hardly spoken during
the evening. Her left hand was quite
hidden in Napoleon s long hair, but Dick
was quite sure that upon the third
finger there was n new diamond ring.
He began to wish she would say some
thing, anything, just to end this long
silence.
do you know. Dick. I thought you
would come to see me last evening"
The remark startled Dick, though he
had been thinking of that very thing.
Il did come" he answered; ''but you
wcrc engaged"
"Ah you came when had callers?
But you could have waited. They
weren't here long and you've done it
before"
'Ics, because I wasn't going away
them, and there was no baggage to look
after or tickets, or home affairs to
settle. They're all settled now, and that
is why l have whole evening to infict
upon your hospitable goodness"
Ethclbcrta ignored the last part of
this speech. $50 you are really going
| tomorrow morning. and there is nothing
| in the world that will dissuade yOu,'
she musCd
"Why shouldn't I go?" he asked at
is good opening. quite as good as the
one ] have had here, and the future
has great possibilities. / believe it is a
mans duty. when he gets out of col
lcge, to look up the neediest place In
his country, and go there and do all in
his power to make that part Of the
country strong. It's very selfish always
to thing only of ones self"
Ethelberta had looked up with an
amused little smile. you are right, ~
she said thoughtfully. at is very selfish
to think only of ones self"
'For nearly year." Dick continued.
II have been thinking of going out
there. So this offer only brought mat :.
tcrs to crisis. 1t isn't n sudden i'm =
pulse"
And every one thought you were so
nicely settled here"
''Oh. | don't know. OF course. it has
been comfortable and pleasant helping
4 Uncle Richard. and no doubt some day
! would have the whole practce-most
of it. at any rate. But | want to strike
| Sc. a;
and there is the place to do it.
"And to help your country. too. Dick
And. of course. you'll be very busy and
happy. Why. Dick. it's just the incest
kind of future imaginable. You are
wise to choose it. I am so glad for
you.
Dick did not reply. He was staring
aththat small left hand. whose fingers
kept themselves so persistently behind
Napoleon neck. OF course. he knew
the ring was there, but~he wanted tt
see it.
Dick y the girl said presently
speaking very slowly as if she wcr,
weighing the words. II think I hay,
not mentioned it to you before, so
will tell you now. because shal
probably not see you again-I have de
cided to go away"
'lou-going away" he gasped.
YES. l feel just as you do abou
$ using ones college course to help one.
t country. and I want to do some goot
} with mine. have decided to go soutl
as a school teacher, It, is one Of tn,
nredicst places in the country. and tn,
future has great possibilities. Oh.
$ with deprccatory gesture as he begaI
d to speak. "l've been thinking of it fo
n nearly year, so this isn't sudden i'm
D pulse"
f But your father
f 'Why. he is heartily in sympathy.
= talked to him about it last week, tn
: afternoon he met you in town and yo,
= told him of your intention of going t
\ Alaska"
Q But, Bertha" Dick managed at las
d to say. Il thought thuught-Jac
d Norton. you know. Last night hop
= you will forgive mel really could no
Z, help seeing. When you and Jack ar
| married. of course--- Oh it isn't III
. affair l know, but I cant help carn
A about it. because-wcll. | haven't an
e right to say it to an engaged girl, bu
t, you know what it is-because ! can
= help loving you--- his voice chokcd.
Il meant never to tell you all this.
| Dick went on, after a few minutes
though you must have known it lon
| ago. I've loved you ever since tha
" first class day. And now"
1t was quite still in the room. onl
hn LII nf hn ha ~