Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1919-12-16

|
part in his exposure he would be GER
tain to strike back by telling all he
knew about her. A chill went tingling
through her. Did she dare attempt
anything at all?
Motionless she sat in the dark, drawn
up in a big chair, and tensely studied
this big problem, with its new aspect OF
great risk to herself. She heard her
clock strike one--then heard the half
hour sound. Gradually she began to
sec the plan as workable, and with
danger to herself eliminated. She must
manage the affair through Sue, she
herself must not in any wise appear
factor in the matter. And it would be
pecting the pair, of her following them,
of her eavesdropping; her part must be
made to seem simple and innocent.
The general plan decided on, the de-
tails came in flashes. She switched on
the shaded light at her writing desk,
and with letter of Gloria's before her,
she set about reproducing Glorias
handwriting on fresh sheet Of Silver
Bluffs note paper. 1t came easy, for
the large, bold writing with its sprawl.
ing loops was so obvious that II offered
the first time Jennie had exercised her
native gift as an imitator Of hnndwrit-
ing since the affair of the Morrison
check which had brought her into JEFF
| ferson Market Court; abe had never q
thought that she was committing forg-
cry, merely that she was using safe
device to bring two persons to justice.
At quarter to she slipped into
Sues room, turned on the lights and
awakened her.
"Look here--what's the matter?" de-
manded Sue with the ill-humor of a
broken first sleep.
"Hush Talk in a whisper, Sue.
Tonight l saw note slipped a man;
] wasn't supposed to see it. But 1t
looked very suspicious. saw him
glance at it. then put it in pocket.
Afterward, when / was dancing with
him, l saw that the note had worked
halfway out of his pocket, and-I know
it wasn't very honorable thing to do,
but | couldn't help myself managed
to get the note without his knowing
what l was about. I've been sitting
in my room all this while wondering
what should do about it.
And I've finally decided that it's
none of my business, and that l should
leave it all to you"
rs that the letter.
"Yes-but give it back to me-
Sue took the letter, and slowly read
aloud the score of words which com
pletely covered one page:
"All right o'clock tonight in the Ii
brary--but you've got to be very good
boy and not smoke. -
Sue looked up. Its not signed, but
it's Gloria's handwriting she ex-
claimed.
ut looks like it, admitted Jennie.
"And it's not addresscd-but it's to
| n Aud I kpnuy II nOt Konnafh w
Sue slipped out of bed. There are
three or four other men here tonight
which is the one?' she demanded.
II don't want to get mixed up in
this any fufther, Sue. That's for you
to find out.
But howT'
Jennie did not answer. She had
planned so carefully that the answer
was obvious.
We'll slip down and surprise them
the two of us and mother and Ken
Meth" Sues eyes cleaned. Perhaps
Kenneth may see enough to wake him
upv
That was exactly as Jennie had cal
culatcd. But let me have the letter
back. Sue. You don't need it..
"Kenneth is skeptical--the letter may
be just the thing to convince him he
ought to look into this
Jennie disliked having the letter in
other hands, but there was now no
avoiding this. Sut got into her dress
ing gown, switched out her lights, and
glided into the hall.
"I'I get mother and Kenneth--we
must all be mighty quiet" she whis-
pered. "You wait here"
She disappeared. Minutes passed.
The deep toned clock in the great living
room below slowly sounded two. Then
three figures appeared out of the dark
ness. Without words, with utmost
caution, Kenneth, leading the way, and
Jennie hanging we'll behind, they crept
down the stairway like so many black
ghosts. And so on to the door of the
library, where Kenneth's $ suddenly stiff
fened arm halted them.
They could hear low voices.
II tell you it was pretty stiff jolt,
complained Il voice, mans voice whose
owner Jennie alone knew-"your going
and getting engaged to Kenneth Harri
son just as was beginning to think you
cared for me-"
You surely didn't think ] was ever
going to become engaged to you" whis
pered the other, with mocking audacity
well. so long as you weren't en-
the sort of friends we've been"
"It might as we'll be Kenneth as any
other man, as far as you are concerned
And as for having been friends, I sup
pose we can still be friends, can't WEI"
"And see each other?" The whisper
was eager. Now and then it's safe,
mean?"
"Well, you're seeing me now, aren't
, youW
"Gloria !" breathed the mans voice.
CONTINUED TOMORROW