Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1919-09-26
DAILY NOVELETTE,
HOUSE HUNTING
by Elizabeth De Boer

"WHh, hel,0' 'o. d'lOer, s Gleason
scphinc Wilby. 1t was indeed treat
to meet her on the boulevard.
Bert" Unconcealed, surprise and
/ pleasure glowcd in Joscphinc's dark
eyes as she placed slender hand in
his.
When did YOU arrive?"'
" Late last night--too late to call you
/ up. but was going " do so this morn
/ ing. Ths>%E wonderful surprise. 10
finding you up here. l don't waut to
be curious, but really, what are you
doing up here
"Why-lm house hunting"
"''Housc hunting IS that 50? Funny,
but | am too. They both laughed,
but it was forced laughter. and when
their eyes met. tho girls wavcrcd and
heavy lashcs busted pink flush that
rrcpt up hcr check. Then suddenly
they lifted and Josephine spoke:
''Anyway, Bert. you must como to
sec mo before you leave, that is, if
you're here long enough TO spare me
an evening
"l'm staying indefinitely and will
certainly src YOU again soon.
She said good by with forced smile
and starting tho car, drove down the
boulevard. The smile disappeared and
a frown, not forced. slipped into its
place. She lifted tan hand and found
tear on her check. Then her dark
eyes flashed and she said aloud:
Josephine Wiby. aren't you ashamed
Of Yourself? Why shouldn't he be
house hunting: Hasn't he n right to
got married without you getting, get
. ting. oh. | wish Id never promised sis
ter TO help find q house" and she
burst into tears.
Gilbert Gleason watched the car out
"f sight.
'lIousc hunting That's lust my
luck No sooner fall in love with n
girl than some onp else gets hcr--aIl INV
plans. wonderful plans, for nothing"
lie thrust his hands into his pockets
and, rs the ear stopped before him. or
dcrcd:
Back to thc Biltmorc, Ted" then
relaxed and mCditatcd.
- wonder who the chap is-Iucky
man. What a fool am. Had no busi
. ness getting n house before wife
anyway. ]ovc. How I've wanted her
ever since that day in Chicago
wanted her TO work for, 10 love; and
now, I'll be man. III see her again
and well be friends He fingered over
the word "fricnds. "
"Hcllo. Oh, hello. Bert. Yes. do
come M. I'm not doing a thing
really"
.Io sighed softly as she replaced the
telephone on the table aud returned TO
the Drawing room, where she seated
herself at the piano and played dream
lily. distantly She was as beautiful as
the melody she played. A wealth Of
auburn hair rrowpcd her oval face. At
the belt of her white gcorgctte gown
was cluster Of forget me nots-onc
had fallen on the bench. Suddenly tho
L, music blurred before her and. leaning
forward on the piano. she murmurcd !:
. II cant love him mustn but I
90. | do.
'rhc doorbcll rang and Mr. Gleason
was announced.
"I'm 50 glad YOU came. Bert. There
, was a Ouivcr in her voice as she wei
coined him. II was wondering how !
. shouId pass the long evening. It's too
rainy to motor and there is no party
ON for tonight" She laughed aud
waved him to Il chair.
'IIc's probably in France, Bert
, thorght
Sometimes one does get tired of
,hc,c everlasting dances. you know, -
. shc added softly.
5 rrr, studied her in silence. admired
r. thr soft hair. noticed the artistic hands,
hr,rtiruI unaidcd by Jewels.
"n'ynn know. Jo." he said impul
!,;,oIy .'vou re beautiful. >"
"Wbx Hcrt." she laughed. Il was
;,.,, u,inkiur what handsome man
'". ",IonI.o,rc IorI is \, handsome does, g.
I ,,,ntcL "You remember that