Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1919-09-08

for short. She meets Mrs. Kingdom,
who receives her with tenderness de-
spite her admission that she is
thief.
AND HERE TT CONTINUES
ffT HAVEN'T yet ceased to wonder at
these hills" rejoined Mrs. King
don. 1--WE bought this ranch merely for
vacation place. but three [ourths of
our time is spent up here. as we have
become so attached to it. Mr.. Kingdom
is an artist, so he never tires of watch
ing the hills and the sky. Sometimes
we feel selfish with so much happiness
when there isn't enough to go around. y
II know you take but small per
ccntage of what you give. Shall | tell
my story now?'
IT think | know it--or some of it, at
least" replied Mrs. Kingdom, looking
Mt her intently.
Pen looked up with a startled ges
ture.
You do. How"
when | was in your room just be-
fore dinner it came to me where | had
seen you before. 1t was about year
ngo-in San Franciscan a police sta
tiou. I made inquiries; was interested
in you and tried to see you, but We were
suddenly called home. ! should like to
hear more about your life and what
brought you to these hills.
Il wish no one else need know it,"
size said entreatingly, when she had told
her story in detail.
Kurt is surely entitled to know it
ALL" replied Mrs Kingdom.
II suppose he is, though I wish he
didn't know as much as he already
does. It isn't necessary to tell him to-
night, is it? I am still tired in spite
of my long rest"
Tomorrow will do. II you like I
will tell him, and / wish you and he
would leave the entire matter-about
.|c and all--in my hands"
Most gladly" assented Pen. But
where is Jo?'
He is on a neighboring ranch
Temporarily only"
z There is something else should like
70 know. Why is Kurt so different
from most men? Doesn't he ever look
pleasant, or was his gloom all on my
account?'
His life hasn't been exactly con
ducive to jollity. He was born in New
England and brought up on pie and
Presbyterianism by n spinstered aunt
who didn't understand boys. He ran
away and came to the West. He has
been cattle herder cowboy and every
IL It. 1.
We came here, tenderfooted, and were
most fortunate in finding foreman like
Kurt Walters. He has wonderful way
Of handling men. He is of good habits,
forceful, keen; very gentle to old peo
pie and most adorable with children.
We make him one of our household.
There is the fortunate daw that keeps
him from being super excellent he is
not merciful to wrongdoers and, as you
say, he is too serious-almost moody.
That is accounted for by the long night
vigils of the csttlemen. They get a
habit of inhibition that they never lose.
think the men find him very good
company at times. There is one spleu-
did thing about him. In spite of his
rough life and the many years in which
he has had opportunity to meet only
the-misguided kind of women, he has
never lost faith in his ideals of woman =
hood
~ certainly rubbed him the wrong
way" said Pen comprehendingly. He
looked upon me as If there were no place
on his map for my kind, and yet he
struggled hard to be good to me when
Il -,Ha
/ never met his sort of a man before
The men have been thrown with think
goodness stupid. No matter what crime
a girl commits, providing she is attrac
tive In any way, they applaud and cal
her little devil.
"He talked Of you a great deal today
and about your chances for reforma
ton" A
Pen smiled enigmatically.
He said he would have felt NOR,
sympathy for me il I had not been edu
Gated and knew the enormity of m!
sins.
IF he knew more of the world h
would know that the intelligent crimina
has the least chance to reform. Whel
he took me so unexpectedly from Ben
der, / wanted to see what he was go
ing to do with me. When l found b.
was bringing me out here, coul'
have easily given him the slip AM
escaped, but was curious to see tb
hest woman in the world ! neve
had faith in a mans estimate of
woman, but as soon as saw you,
knew he WIS right. May I stay? Wi
YOU really let me:''
II quite insist upon your staying
We will go downstairs for a littl
while now"
Below, Mrs. Kingdom fingered to Civ
rome directions TO servant and Pe
went on to the library.
Kurt was standing there alone. 81
stood small and straight before h'
warden, looking squarely into his eye
You needn't" she said, put an
locks on valuables here-not on m
account. The crcokedest crook in Il
world wouldn't steal from her
II am glad you recognize trr
r=-nzh' he said earnestly.
Thank gou for bringing me here.
feel IT'S the turning point in my life.
Then, he said earnestly. II fe
~ hara done something worth Will
You snail NOT leavs hsFe unt'lV-ysu y
4