Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1919-10-27

was cast over the music and Hush oil
pleasure ovcrsprcad her countcnance'
Presently she said with playful shrug
of the shoulders:
"lou are at liberty to join uncle in
one of his celebrated stogics-it II
pIcascS you?'
1T plcases me to stay right herc--h
1t does not displcasc you | rctorted'
| could have sworn she bInshed;
Maybe it was the reflection from the rcu
lamp shade. Anyhow the conditions
were all favorable. The dim light thG
soft music, the beautiful girl. all uhliGu
to tll my heart with an unutteraoIe
tenderness. ! do not remember al the
things ! said to her, but ! do Know
that She listened with pleased man
ner, all the while ACCOMMODATING my
heart beats on the piano with her gehtIe
touch. What would any man have done
in my place? 1t is true that ! had
only known her for two short days. 1t
is true that | was only nm cmployc OF
her uncle. What of that? | only
know that presently found mysel
leaning over and saying, ever SO softly
II shall treasure this as one OF the
precious nights of my life.
The music ceased for moment. Her
fingers, slipping from the keys seemed
to trcmble. She looked up at me wltil
that quick, graceful movement OF me
head, There was that Quizzical. man
cXpcctant. half iuQuiring glance in her
black eyes and her smiling lips. Th'
loose strands of her glossy black mar
swept my face and filled me with an III
,1n. ,,h1 81
seemed ON the point of speaking; then
she gave a half sigh and resumed her
playing. very soft. low and tender.
That look from her dear cycs-to
mc-signitied the dawn of love.
| felt that she had divucd my secret.
and | also felt-Or at least fervcntly
hopcd-that she reciprocatcd my feel
ings.
Mrs. Crilly approached at that mo-
ment and for the time being. any in
timaCy between us was at an end. But
| could not keep my eyes of Dora and
her manner made me feel that had
touched responsive chord in her heart.
She played less skillfully now. She an
swCrcd the conversation of Mrs. trllly
in an abstractcd manner. aud when she
looked at me and caught my eyes she
glanced aside with evident cmbamass-
ment
If these things did not signify love
what did they mean?
At that moment | felt that ! was the
happest man in the world. And |
thanked my lucky stars that Collector
Frcad and Bromley Barnes had given
me an assignment which brought me
into contact with Dora Wharton. The
remembrance of the reason for being at
Hcdgewatcr House brought me to with
sudden start. What right did |
have-undcr the circumstanccs-to make
love to the girl?
My only excuse was that one look
into her clear black eyes had madt
me forget all about my mission. But,
/ fortunately. Mrs. CrIly had approach :
ed in time to save me from myself.
had not said anything that an honor
able and high minded man might not
say.
From the other side of the room the
droning of mems voices could be heard
Aunt Sarah was saving some incon
scQucntial things to Dora, That gave
mo, time to think. My first definite
feeling was a feeling of immense graft.
tudc that | had not found the rec
diamond in Colonel Wharton posses
sion. 1t was evident that | was OF
false scent. or rather that Bromle,
Barnes had placed me on a false scent
That meant that in little while
should be recalled from Ilcdgewatel
House. Once that happened and
could speak without prejudice to th
interests of the government, | woult
declare myself in my real character t.
All | was willing to take my chance
on that. lover her and that wa
all sufficient.
l.. 1t has been said that the darkeS
hour is lust before the dawn. Simi
larly it may be asserted that the bright
est moment is just before the cras
of our dearest hopes. Never. in all m
life. had | felt so happy as | Stoo
there looking down at Dora and Wcav
ing golden dreams of the future. Will
| was going over this for the tent
time was aroused from my rcvcrie b
the voice of the colored servant an
nouncing:
Doctor Henderson
Little did | dream that the chanc
apprarancr of this man was to lea
to an incident which was to send IN
air castles topping to the earth. Col
onpl Wharton arose quickly and hur
+ rying across the room greeted the new
, conner with great heartiness.
{ "Ny dear doctor. I'm delighted t
see you. You're stranger at Hedge
Not my fault, Wharton" was til
CHEEKY response. Too many sick peo
ule in this part of the country keep
e Ing me so Internally busy that | don
+ have time to see my friends
r He paused and looked about ii
room inquiringly. He had a smootl
g fiorid face and blue eyes, and the eye