Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1920-10-05

Jimmy looked at her with nervous
wen. we're married" he said. elo-
yes" She raised her beautiful eyes
| to his face; her heart was thfobbing
happily. Unconsciously she made a little
movement toward him. ,
Jimmy put out his hand and let down
the window with a run,
"Jove Isn't It hotT' he said.
He was beginning to wonder II he had
drunk too much champagne; he passed
his silk handkerchief over his flushed
81 thought Il was rather cold" said
Christine, timidly
He frowned. Does that mean that
you want the window upT' He did not
ribly nervous, and sangster's parting
words had not improved matters at all
Christine burst into tears; she was
| overstrung and excited her nerves we're
I'll to pieces; she sobbed for a moment
Jimmy swore under his breath: he did
not know what to do. After a moment
he touched her---he pressed his silk
handkerchief into her shaking hands.
People viii thnN * iSs besn nneIns q
nervous laugh. '>"
| She mopped her eyes obedientiy: she
| felt frightened.
/ aug AGCiihB tHat Jimmy WAN
| stranger came back to her afresh. Oh,
was this the kind boy-lover who had
been 30 good to her that day her mother
died-the kind lover who had taken her
IN his arms and told her that she had
| him, that he would never leave herr
She longed 30 for Just one word--one
| sign of affection: but Jimmy only sat
there, hot and uncomfortable and silent
After Ate. q moment: "sstterY" he asked.
troll herself; she stammered a little
shamed apology. I'm so sorry. Jim
He patted her hand.
That's all right"
=, And you doh, you do love me-"
"of course do" He put an awk.
SsaS %ara "a arm round her. he pressed her
not see his face %of course I'D do" S'Ibe he
o,ng to be awfully happy" He kissed
| Christine turned and nut her arms
round. his neck she was only child
still.she saw no reason at ali why she
should not let Jimmy know how very
much she loved him. ~
| "Oh, do love you'll do" she said,
Jimmy, colored hotIy; he felt an I'M
controllable longing to kick himself: he
kissed her again with furtiye haste
1trhats all right. dear" he said.
| L. i1ey had arranged to stay a week
And we couldn't very well do anytbing
very much. could we?' So she had
appealed to him wistfully. 7'when
mother-" She had not been able to
=, Jimmy had agreed hastily to any,
thing; he had chosen a yery ouiet and
select hotel, and taken a suite of rooms
ne did not know how on earth they
were were going to be pad for; he was
counting Gng on an extra check from the
Great Gre ,I,io Horatio as a wedding present. He
W. relieved when the taxi stopped at
tne motel; he got out with a sigh: he
turned to give his hand to Christine I: his
heart aaA Amote him as he looked at her.
her sssr "sSeS n was cS,,T right when he called
young as she stood there in the after.
noon sunshine, In her black frock and
With her white flowers clasped merry.
ousiy oUy IN both hands Jimmy felt con-
Come along. D dear" IA MS he shraati said, v.rv
gently, m He put his hand through her
arm; They went into the hotel togetbsr
q, christine went upstairs with one of
p up preseStly ses Jimmy fnr .s said he would come
smoking room and rang for brandt
ana soda. For the first time Il, his liz
ne was genuinely afraid Of what he had
| inn ne Knew now that he cared noth-
ibeeuIp. the 1Gf Christine. 1t was terrifying
And she had nobody but hir-the re-
sponsibility of her whole life Law on hi.
ee s1ouiders; 1t made him hot to think
He tossed the brandy and soda orr M
a guip' He looked at his watch; half.
past .. Ihey had been married only Iw,,
hours and he had got to spend ali the
resi- oor Oh ne f,., life with her.
tault. He had asked her to marry him
ne meant to be good to her. A servan,
4. MRS. Challoner said would I tell Won
rnar, rna. Tea is served upstairs in the sitting
- Jimmy Hy squared his shoulders; he tried
70 look as II th;re had been Mrs
Shaiioner for fifty years; but the sound
0t Shristines new name made his heart
=. ."Oh-er-thanks." he said as careless-
" as he could. I'M go up" He walled a
tsw tew moments, then he went slowly up
the stairs, feeling very much as ~.
"fas He sSns stoos tor TO be o%sS. exsSstsd =, a.. -
ihg outside the door Of the private sit
ting room with an absurdly schoolbov-
ism air OF bashfulness.
ne passed hand nervously over ths
pack OF MS head he wriggled his collar
twice he took step forward ana stop.
pea again finally the appearance of a
servant along the corridor drove him To
make ,,,i. up his mind. He opened the door
with rush. No''
Christine was standing over bv the
whdow; the afternoon sunshine fell on
her slim, black-robed figure and brown
nalr; She turned quickly as Jimmy
Challoner entered.
hope ea It's mas not been e6la, pp some minutes;
like It cold" said Jimmy.
AS q matter Of fact. he hated tea at
any time, and never drank il il it could
oeo De avoided but he sat down with as
took took ct;n graSe Seoa as HE ne could muster and
glanced at 1t and away again.
Nice room this--eh?'' ne ask;d,
Yes" Christine had sugared her own
cup three times without knowing it she
took cake from the stand and dropp.d
u nervousiy. Jimmy laughed; a boylsh
laugh or amusement that seemed to
break the Ice. ~
...1 Amy ~ one , would think you had never
tempt to put her at her ease. "And I've
II know /; but" She looked at nm
With VT, very flushed cheeks, I'm afraid
made mistake; afraid that you'll find
I'm too young and-silly."
you're not to call the lady I have
married rude namts,"
But It's true" she faltered. She pu,
down the cup and went over to where he
sat She stood with her hands claspeo
behind her, looking down at him with a
sort Of fond humility.
90 love you. Jimmy" she said,
sort or wife you want"
Jimmy tried to answer her. but some-
how the words stuck In his throat. She
was not the sort Of wife he wanted.
and never would be. That thought filled