Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1919-07-22
BRUNO DUKE
Sober of Business Problems
BY HAROLD WHITEHEAD
Copyright.
THE PROBLEM OF THE
SMUGGLED JEWELS
Introducing Susan Maitland

TT WAS past the next evening
L before Mamie put in an appearance
l had gone home for the evening, buf
l found out what happened from Waited
Dukes man) and from Bruno Dukd
himself.
Duke had disposed Of all work and
was curled up in his chair reading
Lambs Essays and smoking his hookah
1t had been one of those clustering
days and gusty winds had blown thtl
rain in vicious swirls in all directionsI
Duke and l had been out most of th4
day, so his rooms appeared extra at \
tractive to him. A log fire was burning
in the open hearth and the room wa4
in semidarkness, except for the bright
light of red shaded lamp by which
he read.
His reading was ftful, for hid
thoughts kept wandering to certaiiI
problem, and the heat and comfort d
the room made him luxurlously drowsyi
His reverie was shattered by suddell
bang. which caused him to start, all hid
faculties fully awake.
The bang was caused by the slam
ming of the outer door of his >apartI
ment.. Then he heard Walter saying:
But, my dear young woman, Mrl
Duke really cannot see you tonight
Come tomorrow"
Say, you stupid piece of cheese, yo,]
give me a pain. How the-never mind
my dedr, | don't mean swear if say
it. How the-say, you know I'm or|
the job all day and besides, Mr.. DukI
knows I'm bringing this lady to sea
him..
Dear Miss Cleft, please don't disturb
yourself so about me, I'm really moi
worth it."
The next instant there was a scurry
of feet and a sharp rap at Duke
living room door. He smiled slightly
as he said:
Come in"
Entered then, Mamie flushed. defiant
and triumphant. her eyes flashing and
her bosom heaving. She half dragged
lalf led slip of girl about twenty
two years old into the room with her
She was a pale faced, slim girl with
dark brown hair and brown eyes that
had timid, inquiring look. Her mouth
was small and delicately formed--heI
lips were scarlet-they seemed too scar
let to be natural, until one remembered
the extreme pallor of her rather sunkej
cheeks.
She was dressed in worn clothes tha \
were OF an unusually good quality and
cut. Everything about her carried AZ
AR OF quality and refinement, exceptin1j
her shoes, which were badly run dow
at the heels.
This is Mr.. Duke, my dear" ss,d
Mamie, and then turning to him, Al
went on: This is the young lady ar
wrote of, Mr.. Duke. Her name is Susa !
Maitland" " '0sA' :
walter had entered the room with
them and was in a state of exaspera :
tlon and worry at their forced entry
upon his master (who was also his herol
In whom he felt a proprietary right.
Duke dismissed him with genial nod
winch sent him away contented.
Our friend Miss Cleft" he addressed
Susan Maitland, 'is a. big hearted eit
who wants to help every one. If ca&
help any friend of hers, of course, I'm
glad to-" =
Thank you. indeed / thank Won NJ
Duke, butt shouldn't have come Miss
Cleft urged me and I-I,m SO loneIv
9nd-and weak that I gave way-but
We no money, YOU sec"
Say, what did I tell yol?" Mamie
vigorously said to her. Didn't / ten
you got a couple of hundred bucks
and seeing the look of opposition
on the girls, face. "Oh, well. it's onIv
loan, for | know Mr.. Duke'll get yon
slathers of dough back; won't YOU, Mr.
Duke?" ''u' 4ur'
He smiled and said:
Suppose l hear what it's all about ~,