Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1919-07-02
DAILY NOVELETTE,
As OTHERS SEE US
By Harriet Abbott

before Toms arrival. Sne sat soihc
minutes before her dresser mirror IN
silent admiration. viewing herself from
different angles with entire satisfaction
Beauty does make one master OF
situation" she admitted 10 herself
ms she pulled the hairpins out one by
one.
Just then she heard voices in the
spare room, next hers.
1--WE will be quite safe here. she
beard her aunt say NAN Is in the
parlor." The door between the rooms
was closed. but Nan could hear dis
tinctly. =,
Being his cousin. j naturally would
sympathize with Tom
What was Belle Wentworth doing
in there talking to Aunt Jude! She
determined to listen. Belle Wentworth
was a maid, and Nan showed her only
the respect due cousin Of Tom. The
voice continued:
"He looks worn out, poor boy. lie
had to confde in some one. i simply
cant please Nan. he told me yesterday.
She's finding fault with everything
do. 1t wasn't so in the beginning
Well says l, you're not suited to
each other, and it's good thing you
found it out in time. A fault finding
grill make a nagging wife. And It's
true, Mrs. Dean, and Mans vain and
domineering, too" Nan was burning
with indignation.
"I think he's goin' to call it off with
her, and 1 thought it was my duty to
come and tell you, Mrs. Dean.
Nan listened to hear no more. "A
nagging wife," She was furious with
rage. She dropped into the chair, dis
tracted, her long hair hanging about
her shoulders.
Hot tears welled up in her eyes.
Scenes flashed before her. But how
was 1 to know" she thought. Why
hadn't Tom told me of these things r.
He never complained. She branded all
men as covert creatures of few words
and all thought. She sank back in her
chair, emitting almost audible groans.
Her thoughts were all confused.
Suddenly she Strengthened. Deter
mined ewes flashed back at her. Blood
rushed into the cheeks. The lips com
pressed in straight line.
"You '" she snapped, looking straight
into the defiant face in the mirror.
You will look at me differently from
that-yes, tonight.
With determination she piled her hair
upon her head. but did not stop for
her own approval now. She glanced at
the clock. Tom was due any minute.
, Silently she slipped through the bath
, room into the nall and down the back
stairs.
While she was adjusting her hat some
minutes later Tom drew from his pocket
, small package. lie handed it to Nan.
, Her old enthusiasm returned as with
nervous fingers she united the tissue
! wrapper
ooh. isn't it a beauty" she ex
claimed. fighting to conceal her tension.
'.Tom-how dear of you She felt
his keen eyes upon her.
"You do like it, he questioned.
Indeed ! do: it's a real beauty ~
She had not feigned deceitS anything
which Tom selected was truly lovely
: now He would know that she was
not fault finding migrate.
Tom was in unusually good spirits.
t she thought. and talked continuously on
t their way to Riverside. Several times
| during the evening she checked ten
denotes to complain of their seats. of
e the generous tip given to the waiter
t and of other small matters. She re-
flected that other people had as much
t right to their way of doing things as
she had to hers. Moreover Tom had
y always met her requests in a most
agreeable way. He was then quite
willing to leave the concert before it
was over because she could endure the
music no longer and pleaded n head
u ache. A walk in the air might do her
I good.
> Out upon the street she was at the
point of tears and of telling him all
that she had overheard, when Tom spoke
k first.
5 NAN" he said. "Ive been thinking
of something for quite while She
u turned pale. 1t was coming-what Belle
# had said. How could she endure it ?
e He looked at her questioningly. "Of
e course. it's all as you say-but-you
q know I-hate weddings" ;" She caught
her breath and swayed toward him
Il He caught her in his arms.
What is it. NAM" he begged. ITS
>, that awful ado he hurried on, 81
Z thought-you-woul mind eloping
q Nam he stammered.
Nan Strengthened. Tom held her fast
: II didn't think you'd take it this way,
10 Forgive me. Nan, dearest"
She broke away from him and reelef
4 round and round. peals of laughter ac
II companying the fast drying tears. Ton
- stood speechless.
Then she ran toward him and caught
4 his face in. both her hands
~ "A splendid idea - she exclaimed,
=, You mean, Nan-that you-woul,
- like to dodge the crowd, too?" Sh,
- nodded
70 "Oh, you dear. When'do you thinl
70 you could manage"
Tomorrow, she flashed.
o 'To-mor-' he hestated.
,t "Ob, you're backing out now
70 NO, I'm not. either. Nan; wa
,p only figuring a bit Shueks,' he sal,
IN under his breath. "All right. tomor
row.. I'll call you early on the phon
and We'll arrange everything"
. She few up the steps, coming head