Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1919-04-23
THEN READ THIS

THEN READ THIS
TT WAS not until Evelyn was in her
L own bedroom arranging her hair that
she recollected her mother had omit.
ted her customary goodnight kiss.
Evelyn's lips Quivered, her sensitive,
high.strung nature made hcr a prey
10 every slight, however unintentional
or imaginary they were. She felt cruel.
" the barrier which she had been quick
to see was slowly but surely separa.
ting her from her mother q mother
she had idolized up to the time Of her
marriage 10 Peter Burnham.
She had never been able to conquer
her distate for Peter Burnham and
her growing fear that he might som"
day supplant her in her mothers
affections She had little hope that
she could win her mothers consent to
her engagement TO Ron" La Mon
tagne. and still less that he" mother
would announce the engagement. Rut
Evelyn came of a loyal, courageous
race and her fighting blood was up.
=
faced, in her opinion unjust impriS
onment for a crime he had not com
mitted. and she was determined I"
offset her stepfather's charges against
him bv the announcement of their en-
gagement. Let tongues wag in So
ciety and scandal he whispered; If she
showed her faith in Rene La Mon.
tagne others would rally to his aid.
There was Marian Van Ness and Dan
MAYNARD A tap on her door
awoke her from her ahstraCtion
What is it?" she called
TT is I. Miss Evelyn" announced
Mrs. Ward. pushing the door further
open. Your mother thought You
might need my help in getting out
of that dress. Let me do that for
YOU" and she deftly extracted pin
Evelyn had been vainy trying 10
reach for some moments.
Thanks" Evelyn submitted to he
ing undressed with alaCritN; she was
utterly weary. "Aren't you up pretty
late for a woman who has been as i'll
as you have?"
II am well again" replied tho house.
keeper, arranging Evelyn's clothes
neatly on a chair and picking up
brush and comb. Just slip into bed,
Miss Evelyn, and I'll brush and braid
your hair for you"
With murmur of thanks Evelyn
followed her advice and partly sat
and lay at ease while the experienced
woman tshe had graduated from ladY's
maid to her position Of housekeeper,
deity arranged her Bng silky hair.
l badly tangled from having worn it
loose down her back in the tablcau.
e There. Miss Evelyn. that is done"
Mrs Ward announced twenty min.
utes later. rs there anything else
you would like"
Evelyn looked about the room. IF
you will open all my windows and
raise the shades. shall be greatly
obliged" she said. The room is hor-
ribly hot"
Mrs. Ward hcsitated pcrceptibly
I'm afraid you are bit feverish, !"
she exclaimed. DO you think it's
wise TO open all the windows, Miss
Evelyn? This room really isn't any
too warm"
"I can't sleep in it as it is" OK.
claimed Evelyn. II must have air;
my head is swimming. Don't worry
about my catching cold. Mrs. Ward; l
always sleep with the wind blowing
on me-"
VERY we'll Miss Evelyn" The
housekeeper went to first one window
and then the other and pulled up the
Holland shades. then flung the win
dows wide open On her way to the
door she stopped by the bed and
looked thoughtfully down at Evelyn
then without speaking glided from the
room to return moment later with a
silver whistle.
IN the room gets too cold. Miss
Evelyn. and you don't want to get up
Just blow on this and I'll come down
stairs and help you" she said, layinl
the whistle in Evelyn's hand,
Genuinely touched, Evelyn raised
herself on her elbow. That's yer,
thoughtful and kind of you" she ex
claimed THANK you so much"
Don't mention it, Miss Evelyn
goodnight" and Mrs. Ward hurrie,
away.
Sleep was far from EVelyn's eye
and for long hours she tossed an
turned or her pillow; the cool nigh
air gradually lowered the tempera
ture of the room and she felt ireliet
She had a touch of fever, she aC
mitted to herself. touching her ho
forehead, and half determined to sc
up and rummage around in her motl
er's medicine cabinet for a bottle c
sweet spirits of inter" but tn
thought of waking her mother d.
TERED her.
AS the night passed Evelyn sleT
by fits and starts. She was lyin
drowsily awake listening to a distar
clock Ginning three when she gre
conscious OF light streaming direct
in her eyes. Her lids few open ar