Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1920-11-27
Tony's DeDarture

a FTER his talk with his mother-in-
law Tony did not speak to Charlotte
again about leaving the farm. He had
decided to let pride go and to win her
back by any means he could. A strange
and rather delightful friendship sprang
up between them. Charlotte made no
attempt to treat him with any intimacy.
There were no caresses, In fact che was
utterly changed. She seemed older, she
from rather shy child she had become
q woman who thought a great deal about
life. In Charlotte's own heart she knew
that she wanted to do the right thing,
but she had no enthusiasm in her heart
at present.
They talked over the matter Of the
baby's name, and It was Charlotte's wish
to call him after his father, 80 they
hope that Charlotte might wish to name
the baby for him was nippped in the
bud
A beautiful layette Of the finest lace
and silk and ribbons came addressed to
Mrs. Anthony Hartman A single en-
graved card lay within which bore the
name Of Mrs Clayton Hartman. and the
message that she hoped Charlotte was
feeling herself again. Charlotte wrote
little note of thanks on cheap note
paper. There was no rancor in the
letter, but It was cool and friendly, II
was a letter that the Charlotte Of n
year back could not have written.
Tony began to dread going back to
have analysed his feelings he would have
realized how changed his own attitude
was. He was learning to look for Char
| lottes opinions on things, to value them.
there was more equality in their relations
now and not 30 much condescension.
Before. In spite Of his infatuation for
her. he had been quite conscious of the
fact that he was marrying beneath him
now II was Charlotte who had the upper
hand and. although she made no effort
to take advantage Of the fact, she re-
| mained cool and remote, and merely
| friendly toward him.
| There came a letter to Charlotte from
Edith Comstock. and n gift for the baby
cheap stationery. Once Tony would have
shuddered at the idea OF allowing Char
lotte to use ANYTHING cheap. now he
| would not have dreamed OF interfering
Hes madly in love with her" Mrs
Graves thought exultantly. watching his
eyes as they followed Charlotte. about
as he ought to be treated
But even Mrs. Graves did not know
that Charlotte had made no campaign
for herself. she had no plans for treat.
| ing Tony one way or another. Her man.
ner toward him was unconscious she did
not love him as she once had. the old
pain was gone. the agony that she had
HOne tHTOuBn WntH HlttT ntT llTSt l1Il-
pulsive act, she had waited for him to
come and get her. seemed incompre.
| hensible to her now. 1t was as though
her suffering of mind and soul and body
had burned out all her capacity for deer
| feeling.
She had no plans when Tony finally
left and he carried away with him g
memory OF ash blonde hair blowing ir
the wind. of wide blue eyes smiling ir
friendly fashion upon him and a fieCtins
kiss which had no trace of the shy pas.
sion OF the old Charlotte.
"will you kiss me goodby?" he hat
said just before leaving. Abner wal
waiting to drive him to the station ant
Mrs. Graves had disappeared somewhere
She had held up her face OF edent.y
like a child, and he crushed b " tn,
mad impulse to kiss her as he wished
She ran into the yard to watch him unit
he was out of sight but even then sh,
had no consciousness that she would mis-.
him greatly.