Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1919-09-11
Penny of Top Hill Trail : ::

I'll say good night. and
Come back to tho fire." he entreat .
cd. II want to smoke
Back in tho library Pen made her
self comfortable on ono of the window
seats, pulling up the shade TO lot the
moonlight stream in,
He followed and sat beside her,
watching in silence the pcnsivc young
profile, the straight little features, the
parted lips. as she gazcd away over the
moonlit hills. He felt a strange ycarn -
ing tenderness.
"pcn.'
She turned, a sweet, alluring look in
her eyes.
"Pcn!' he said again.
"Ncs-Eurt.
Some alien. incxplicablc force seem
I'd to battle with his nature. His lips
Quivrrcd and then compressed as if in
4 mighty resolution.
. \ moment later she slid from tho
window seat to the floor.
1T is late good night" she said
quietly.
GOOD night. Pen. | wish -"
Again h" stopped abruptly.
~ know what you wiSh." she said
IN a matter of fact way you arc
wishing that | had never bccn-a thicf.''
Tho c"lor flooded his face cmbar-
rassmcnt, longing aud regret struggled
viSibly for mastery.
Good night" she repeated, ms she
quickly sped from the room. leaving
him spccchlcss.
Upstairs in her room she stood by
tho window.
"Kurt," she ~soliloquizcd. "you'vc
been weighed and found wanting. You
don't know what love is. No man does.
II is Il womun's Kingdom"
Then n radiant smile drove the re-
f"rtiv" shadows from her eyes. There
had burst forth a whistle. clear. keen,
inspiring. Only n person in her
world vas 50 lark like, so jubilant. so
joyous of nature MS to improvise such
Il thrilling melody.
With an cXpCctant smile she looked
out and saw Jo crossing the moonlit
lawn.
"Ilalloa, Jo." she called softly.
llc looked up. extended his zap at
arms length with a gay flourish and
called:
BLESS YOUR little heart of honey
What arc YOU doing up so late?"
els it lntC?" she asked in arch
Surprise. "1'm so sorry. for I was
going to say I'd come down for a
little walk with YOU"
Deed, it's never too late for that
but say. little Penny Ante. Kurt is
sitting in the library window"
- ON, ,,nt ,np,;,n ;,.o ,:a.. H.
Library window. Wait n moment.
Catch this"
She picked up her sweater from the
window scat and threw it down to
him. stepped nimbly over the railing of
the little balcony, made n quick spring.
caught the branch of a nearby tree and
slid down to earth.
Say. you little squirrel. You'd
make some sailor. It's hungry I've
been for sight of you. ! met Gene in
town this afternoon and he told me
about the wonderful stunt you pulled
of this morning for Francis"
That was nothing. But-hnve. you
back. Jo?"
Not yet. I'm motoring in from
town and left my car down in the road.
l just thought I'd pass by your window
and let out a whistle for you
10, | came down to say something
serious"
You can say anything you like to
me, Miss Penny Ante" he replied en-
Couragingly,,
Come away where no one can over
hear our voices.
They strolled away out of the moon
light TO the shelter of some shrubbery
where they talked long and earnestly.
On the way back to the house, Pen,
lifting her eyes to his. was struck by
tho look in his boyish face.
'.Jo,' she said. a slight wistfuiness
in her tone, you really love-the way
n woman loves
"What's the use" he said dcfantIy,
If the one | love wont have me
He stopped short and looked at her
keenly.
You know, 10, you must learn to be
patient and acknowledgements"
A light leaped to his eyes.
"Ill wait! But the limit mustn'
be too far. Do you know what Gene
confided to me tonight? He thinks that
Kurt is in love with you
She laughed mirthlessly.
Kurt! He wouldn't know how to
love. If he did, he wouldn't let him
self. He would hang on to his love
like a Jew to a bargain. Who would
want a grduging love-
Kurt is my pal-he-
"He wont be if he finds us lingering
here. You ]reconnoiter and see if he
is still in the window. ] don't intend
TO shiny up this tree. It's so much
easier going down than up"
You can go in the kitchen way. It's
cooks affinity night, and she's some
where with Gus
The kitchen is where 7 go in then.
10, are you very sure that you are in
love-enough to marry a thief? You're
only a boy. Better keep your love un-
til you are older"
Il am not a boy. 7 am two and
twenty"
Quite an old man I'll see you very
soon again, and maybe l can give you
your answer. Kurt goes to town
early in the morning. Meet me in the
pcrgola near the garage. Good night :"
By way of the kitchen and back stairs
she reached her room undeteCted.