Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1920-08-05
THE PARADISE MYSTERY
BY J. S. Fletcher
coDvrtoA. 1889, BY Alfred A, xnop,. rro.

suddenly said Ransford. SThats Hat |
she doesn't want you-and she's now
herr
What have YOU against me2' asked
bryce calmiy. 1T, as you say, you sup
port her In her resolution not to listen
to my proposals, you must have some
thing against me. What Is it?p
"That's a question you've no right to
put" replied Ransford, "for It's .tteriy
unnecessary. So I'm not going to
answer IT, I've nothing against YOU as
regards your work-nothing I'm will
ing 10 give you an excellent testimonial"
OH remarked Bryce quietly, THAT
means-you wish me to so away2"
II eertainly, think 1t would be best"
In that case" continued Bryce, mere
coolly than ever II shall certainIy want
to know what you have against me-
or what Miss Bewery has against me.
why am ! objected to as a suitor? You,
az any rate, know who / am--you know
that my, father Is of our own profes-
sIoh' ana man OF reputation and stand
high recommendation, Looked at from
my standpoint, I'm thoroughly eligible
young man. And there's a point YOU
forget--there's no mystery about me |"
Ransford turned sharply in his chair
as ne noticed the emphasis which Bryce
put on his last word
What do you mean?" he demanded
What I've Just said" replied Rrvce
,Ineres no mystery attaching to me
Any question about me can be answered
,,o,,r sua Gaht say that as regards
ford" -"''' Do''or Hahs=
Ransford, In years pone bv h.a
praeticed himself In the art of restrain
nf ms temper-naturally a somewhat
guiek one. And he made a strona effort
h that direction now, recognizirls thai
assistant's s WsI Il st something pn1s behind his
meant him to know 1t was there. N''ee
IN repeat what I've tust said, be
answered What do you mean by
,,,i ,,i near things" said Bryce. "People
VIII talk-even doctor can't refuse M
near near what gossipng and garrulous
from f sebaai' aay' since she came to YOU
'ppteop'e nave been much interested In
MIss hewery, and In her brother, too
nna thna tnere are a good many residents Of
t tne Ciose-you know their nice, inouisi-
sissteaw waSs VINO want to know who the
sister and brother really are-and what
yonr relationship is to them - y ""N'
Ransford. 'NNS"es sro"lea
by AZ means" agreed Bryce, "And
too 81 eare--let them be confounded
and select - oo you imagine that the choice
consisting mainly of the rellcts Of de-
aseu qeans. canons, prebendarlea and
sne IKE, and Of maiden aunts, eIderiv
apInsters, and tea-table- haunting cur-
a 's,, are are IRE Tree from gossip-why, you're
sS,tsuiarly innocent person I"
Iheyd better not begin goss,n,ne
ABOUT my affairs" said Ionps
Otherwise" Nahsiord'
.ho nou cant stop them from gossipinp
ah aDout your affairs" Interrupted Brwce
tutiy; vour ssE,r 'of course they gossip about
VII continue to gossip about tnem Nv,
human nature I" >'e''' i's
touve heard them?" asked Ransfop5
c,ir;o wm1 was too vexed to keep back his
e'tmiASs'ty, you yourself9'
out s 70 YOU are aware. ! am often asked
ehoinh parties, and tennis parties. and
ou omoi9e and ,aozy functions patronized h,,
h,a'ss ana associated with crumpets +
rsn ,ase feard-with these ears. / can even
That dear e soft ds,,of OF thing ! have heard
whit 1oaa charming girl And that good
,ookihg boy, her brother-auite = Sear |,
NV ! wonder who they realh sra ,
RmaIGs OF SDoctor Ransford, Of course !
iitt1a 1S, hSW very romantic !-ani lust n
lively young man! to have such &c hS''narI, cara
nualinihg girl as his ward Can't hs
iiiore than forty-five himself. and shas
ReaI1yy Rf@ehI1tyohog. ono very, very romantic
be. bsi ohsperonf a%s mf3!d 'hink there ought TO
breath, 'ofu under his
tho 1nst so,' agreed Bryce. "But-that,s
fhe sort Of thing, Do you want more 3
the susMy an unlimited quantity in
eordIns s Rs0e to y fan1. You like But IT'S ali ac-
t,6. S"o-ln addition to your other ouaIi-
gossiper?" ''' you're
head 5s'e smiled slowly and shook his
T. No" he replied. I'm a listener
foou one, too. But do you see INV points ;
MiSss Sssp.heres no mystery about me. If
PISS 6ewery will honor me with bsr
lang, she " get a man whose anteoe.
% tionS WIZ bear the strlctest investiga-
demasdsd spq RansforG insforips that hers won'ta"
Rr,ion IN not inferring anything" said
nryoes ,,,,ss. i am speaking for myself Of
iiIye Pressing my own claim, ii you
do MIL un you, the guardian. You might
Doctor Ransford" '' o'''i''
"vo.as, "v0i.aims, man." retorted Ransford.
ta,I,Ie iIu We got no claims! What are YOU
'otnMIiS ABOUT! Claims 70
BryHsy my ..Is Ipsreettensions. eta then" answered
ohy. lr there isaa mystery-as wry-
Gnester people say there is-about Miss
Bewery, 1t would be safe with me-
WnateVef you may think, I'm a thor
Ds,1y mV OWN aepfnda6ls tnrGst man--when IT'S in
"And-wLen It isn't2" asked Rams
80 iord dardIH dWhs are you then7-as you're
,,,o III could be very bad enemy" re-
There was a moments silence, during
eanh @mib'' t ne TWO men looked attentiyelY. at
,orlv I've told you the truth" said Rams
sord at last, Miss Bewery fatIy re-
fuses TO entertain any idea whatever of
hat hat thst thtfgns yoH; She earnestly hopes
TONED to her again. Will you give me
wishes?" 'e'
"Nel" answered Bryce. "1 won'tm
S,.h.. rsi1t show Of anger, "A woman'a
Because ! may consider that I see
Signs SIGNS OF a. changed mind in her,n said
declared Ransford. That's Certain Is
that your fixed determination? 2"
IT is,' answered Bryce. I'm not the
SORT OF man who Is easily repelled."
ihen' IN that case" said Ransford,
from his desk, and going over to safe
Whioh stood In corner, unlocked It
and took some papers from an inside
drawer, He consulted one of these and
agresment2" he continued. "YoGr en-
gagement was to be determined by a
three months notice on either side, or,
at my will, at any time by payment of
three months salary"
quite right" agreed Rrvca ct ra