Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1919-09-11
By BELLE X. MANIATES
Author Of "Amariily Of Clothes Line
Alley" "Mildew Manse," etc.

thought Slccplly, as she stretched hcr
self luxuriously to rest. ITS a very
small, very funny old world, and the
thief is certainly getting in deep
waters"
On the trail to WcstCott'S, 10 was
chuckling to himself.
"Thc little thief. II she isn't the
slickcst little lass | ever saw ~
In the library, Obvious TO time and
place, Kurt still fingered, his dream
like memories trying to learn the tune
that Pan was piping on his reeds.
At TIE breakfast table Pen found
"A at her plate n little bunch of
flowers, clumsily arranged and tied.
From Jo." Informed Bctty-'"Thc
Bulletin as her father was wont to
call her. "Tlc came just after Uncle
Kurt started for town"
Pen smiled as she took up the little
stih nosegay. She held it lightly for
n moment. looking down at the bios
SONS. There was a mute appeal in
the little messengers from the boyish
lover. Something infinitely tender
stirred in her heart for a second. bring
ing n tear to her eye ms she unused
upon his boyish faith in love.
She put tho flowers in the glass
of water beside her plate, and gave
her attention to the prattlc of the
children.
After breakfast She pinned the little
noscgay to her MILDLY and went down
to the pcrGola.
do saw her coming and hurried for
ward to meet her. his eyes brighten
ing when he saw the flowers.
"Thank You, 10. They are very
pretty"
Thank YOU for wearing them"
II asked you TO come here this
morning, 10, so you would do me- a
favor
"lou know | would"
"Will YOU mail this letter for mo?
wrote it last night after you left. and
YOU are tn" only ono | can trust. And
Jo-will You please not read the ad.
drcSs?"
II" put the letter in his pocket.
"Nou eau trust me-"
"Gou had better go. because I hear
the rattle that ran be made only by
hurts ear. He must have como back
for something. You can go around
the bend here"
Say. Penny Ante, | don't like this
docriving him.
Just a bit longer. .Jo." she said
~rcrsuasivoly, Mrs. Kingdom said TO
wait until her return"
He followed her instructions, and she
returned TO the house.
Its a great possession" she
thought musingly, ''the big love of a
true and simple heart like his. It would
probably be idyllic to live a life of love
up here in these hills with the man of
ones choice, | suppose, but a happi-
ness too tame for me. To be sure.
there would be the excitement of trying
to rufic the love feathers, but that.
in time would pail. L wonder how
much longer | shall stay hidden UP
here before my past finds me out. Any
something is sure to drop and
| will be called blackjack to my other
that is less enticing now I have had
a taste Of domesticity.
Her mcditations were diverted BY a
tattoo upon her door which she had
so that the ever present. ever
Betty and the all wise Francis
could not intrude.
Aunt Penny. let us in" came in
aggrievcd chorus.
1--WE a message for you, Aunt Pen.
Open the door, came Francis's in
voice.
The pounding and the voices forced
Il capitulation. She admitted the trio.
Mrs. Merlin is going to take us to
house for the rest of the day" in
formed Francis, "and we will have a
picnic dinner there. She would have
asked you. too. only Uncle Kurt came
back and wants you to ride with him.
He didn't have to go way to town.
cause he met the man he wanted TO see
the way here
'NUw what has come over the spirit
of his drcams?" Pen asked herself won
deringly as she got into her riding
things. well. there is always the
refuge of fast riding. That is the only
time 7 can make my tongue behave. I'll
give him no chance to preach, that's
When they set out or their ride, she
was careful not to let the brisk pace
falter. They stopped for luncheon at a
ranch house where there were many
people at the table; but on the way
home, when nearing the big bend, Kurt
rode up to her his OBTAINING hand on
the bride slackened the speed she was
striving to maintain.
II want to say something TO you,'
he began stiff. You mustn't think
because I say nothing that ] am IN
mindful of what you have overcome
-
She stole a side glance at him. His
eyes were as somber and impenetrable
as ever, but his chin worked n%ervously.
You mean that ] deserve a credit
mark for not having lifted the childrcn's
banks, or helped myself to the family
silver and jewels. It's sweet in you
to put such trust in me and commend
me for such heroic resistance :"
She jerked her bride from his grasp
and rode ~furiously on to the house, and
had dismounted and escaped to her room
before he could overtake her.
/~@N-rrArT-rr nnAEnnnnu\