Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1919-03-24
THE DAILY NOVELETTE,
A CHANGE OF NAME
By HOrfeuse C0LdtDpH
By HOrtense CdLdiUeH

EvELYN MITCHELL fastened her
~ beautiful fur piece about her neck,
drew on her gauntlet gloves and leaped
into the little chocolate -colored roadster
waiting at the curb. One minute later
she was speeding down the Embroidered
boulevard on her way to the lower end
of the city.
Arriving there she made her way to
the second floor of rickety old build
ing. Very gently. she knocked at the
door and after waiting few minutes
and receiving no answer opened the
door quietly and peered in. On the couch
a young man lay sleeping quietly. As
Evelyn closed the door his eyes opened
wearily, but on the sight of her face his
expression changed visibly
Good morning" Evelyn greeted him
cheerily.
Good mofning Miss Mitchell" he
answered with a little smile. Yes" he
continued in answer to the look of in
fine this morning, even If I don't look
it."
I'm glad TO, hear you say that, Mr.
Ames. See, I've brought you some
oranges Shall I fix one for you?'
Thank you; you are always thinking
of the~ things | like most. If you will,
please"
A few minutes later as he was slowly
eating the sliced fruit, Evelyn spoke
again.
Mr. Ames, I wish you wouldn't live
in this awful place. It's no wonder
blue in here. You told me once that
you could live in a better place if you
wanted to-
Yes, and I was living in that better
place up until five weeks ago. | had
only been here four days when YOU ran
across me-"
"Couldn't you go back there now?"
she asked after n few moments
We'll. not just now, but some day |
will. l suppose you will think 1t strange
truth of it is. it is not my secret only.
You See-er-eE--
"Yos. understand perfectly. I would
be the last one to want you to tell an
other persons secret"
That is mighty nice Of you. Miss
Mitchell but I don't want you to think
it Is something you will never know
And don't stop coming on account of
that. will you?" he inquired. anxiously,
as she started to pick uD her fur.
NO, indeed. you'll have to find some
thing worse than that to chase me
away" she responded. laughingly,
well ! hope 7 never find it then" he
answered. as lie shook her hand.
Two days later Evelyn made another
trip to the room of the little seamstress.
After doing her errand there, she moved
noselessly across the hall.
'If he is asleep. won't disturb him .
she thought, Just as she put up her hand
and suiting action to the word. she
stopped and looked in. Mr.. Ames was
sitting by the table reading a book;
holding a lighted cigar in one hand ana
the other. without moving from her
position. Evelyn put up her, hand and
knocked She was very much surprised
to see Mr.. Ames jump up gingeriy, drop
-I,.;V hn
into a tall vase on the mantelpiece and
jump into bed.
Come in" sang out a doleful voice
Evelyn entered and closed the door
why you are looking entirely vel
this morning. I guess there won't be
much need of my cheering you up any
longer" she said as she shook hands; >,
"Oh, say, now, I'm not feeling BIT
for the last two days"
Evelyn looked at him accusingly
Isn't that cigar liable TO go to waste
she asked. pointing to the vase on the
shelf
MIR. Ames Redeemed. "No, you cheer
full deceiver: I've caught on to your lit
tie scheme now. And | really can't
come here to see you now: but-you
NAV come to see me If you like" she
added. smiling adorably
81 certainly will I'm going back to
work in the morning, anyway"
Many evenings like this followed until
their acquaintance became nearly three
months old. One evening Mr.. Ames be-
gan to speak rapidly. ~
tell you. l know you had been awfully
good to me when I was SICK Here he
stopped as she had begun to smile at
the remembrance. please don't laugh
yes. and tried your hardest to be for
three DAYS more" Evelyn reminded
him.
well, I did it until your feminine
curiosity led you to discover me. But
to be serious again: ! know you asked
me here out of pity. thinking I had nc
home and certainly appreciate it, even
as long as ! have home
"A home?"
Young man like the fellows ydu have
around you all the time. Just rich with
nothing to do, you know. Played tennis
or golf most of my spare minutes ano
called on my friends the rest of the
time Well, anyway, one of my friends
bet'I couldn't live alone in a secluded
room for three months and earn my
living. Well, I won the bet" he con
sluded slowly
him with astonished eyes. You dom
"Gare?" she repeated. why, yes,
care lot"
do you mean II! .
Yes, but first tell me your righ
name. presume Chester Ames is an as
sumed one"
MY name is Robert Hawkins"
= But surely your, father isn't Haw
kins, the steel merchant"
He is, Evelyn, but that doesn't make
the slightest difference. You are Evelyr
Mitchell now, but doesn't the name o
Hawkins appeal to you?"
II think I'd like TO be Evelyn Haw
kins," she answered sweetly
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