Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1919-02-03
THE DAILY NOVELETTE,
THE ADVENTURES
By Mary Poiper

lydia fingered the missive from over
II seas tenderly. A letter from Blythe !.
Inserting small ivory paper cutter
within the flap of the envelope, she
eagerly drew forth the contents Sud-
denly her smile vanished and gasp
ing sound issued from between her thin
lips. with an effort she recovered her
self and cried shrilly:
Alicia. Alicia !"
Read" she commanded. and thrust
the letter in Alicia's hands.
Am coming home at last" Alicia
read, and suppressed a shriek of joy.
Am bringing-my wife" Alicia looked
sd sP starlsd rsSsr,,I Blythe ob I She
breathed, isn't it wonderfui?"
Wonderful" snapped Lydia, Il call
il brutal Twill mean giving up all
this"-she swept the luxuriously fur
nished room with expressive eyes,
intmates that, as his wife, this-person
will take her proper place in his house.
To thinlS that Blythe. at this time of
"He-he's only 40" protested Alicia.
ness knows it's been mighty dull here
since Blythe left" She reread the let
ter oh, che cried, happily, II know
LEula dreW nerselr UP 10 the run
height of her stiffiy starched and percal-
ed person. alicia Billings" she cried
in Mortified tone, I'm ashamed of
YOU. Hou--a Billings-to talk like that ?''
She glared at the culprit.
But Alieia, with very pink cheeks,
family. HE says she saved his life
nursed him back to health when he was
wounded"
"supposing she did," stormed Lydia,
She's probably an adventuress"--bit-
terly.
They came at last. the great, bronzed
man in khaki. his old boyish manner
gone forever. and in its place a certain
grim determlnation and by his side a
sweet bit of femininity whose name was
flashed naively up at the spinste: sis
ters, straightway taking Alicia's heart
by storm.
A bit shyly Corrinne assumed her
rightful place as mistress Of Blythe,'s
home. and pretended not to see Lydia e
cold actions in the months that followed
But Blythe saw and mentally fumeA
And then one day the unexpected hap.
rened. A plague was rampant about
the country, and Alicia, gentle soul. lay
critically III. And quite suddenly Cor
rinne. the shy, demure person, vanished
leaving in her place strong, clear
minded, very businesslike Corrinne, who
took temperatures and who issued in
structions from. the sick room in q
clear. authoritative voice.
Hours later: Lydia, dark-gowned and
heavily veiled, stood waiting forlornly
throbbed, her throat felt strangely dry
black specks fioated before her eyes "A
door creaked softly and a figure In
white came brisltly. down the stairs
on her arm an insignia in the shape
against the whiteness OF imma culate
linen. Lydia darted forward.
'Ts It" she could not voice heI
The trim figure regarded her not un.
kindly. I'm afraid-yes," Corrinne ad.
mitted frankly: at which Lydia backed
away: "Y1y're going to Sweet.
looked at Lydia critically. Perhaps 4
Lydia, you're illw Corrine's voice
was sharply critical
Nonsense, Lydia drew herself VI
haughtily. The next moment, with q
gasp, she swooned at Corrinne's feet
The recovery was miraculous. 1t was
late afternoon. some several weeks
later, and Lydia. lay propped up against
the pillows. Il didn't get to Sweet
meadows after ALL" she murmured.
herself. shook her head graveIy. 'Yol
had very close call-and so did l
Corrinne pulled us through-she tended
us day and night Oh. Lydia, she's ar
angel!
Lydia fidgeted with the counterpane
+ When she looked up her eyes wer,
| swimming and wistful. DO you-woult
shea dry sob cut her short.
From the shadows Corrinne sileptl,
approached, and with practiced hands
but hands that trembled In spite Of
themselves. made a pretense of tuckinl
the bedclothes about Lydia's slim
shoulders.
Would you mind-kissing me p
Whispered Lydia.
The next complete Dovelette-Tb,
| Welcome Ride.