Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1920-12-14
THIS STARTS THE STORY

81 at hs mofheTS feQ"est uHu oskS het-'
1W loves to deliver letter to the pirl.
Micky DISCOVERS the 6tri, Esther Shep-
stone, to be the ono he had met crying
on tie street. Instead Of delivering
TIC letter A'ntoT hinSusr gave os n' os ns res ",as
Ashton,s namo TO "! Esther tells
M Hioky Of her Intention to accept a po-
+ sittou as amdnuensfs to Mrs. Ashton,
[ and Mioky, Jealous Of the phantom
lover Ne Ros creatod, is incred,iious
W and demands TO kmop " she is serious
I AND HERE IT CONTINUES
SrNoU'RE not TO CO." ho said hoersely.
|I TIL can't bear to think OF you
having to work for your living. There's
ho need-it's all nonsense. You'd hate
being at the Ashton's = Estherl'
She wrenohed herself free; she was
Uhite to the lips.
'You must be mad I" shc said How
Dare you spcale like this2 What is II
10 you what do? How dare you try
10 interfere7 What business Is It or
yours7'
Mlcky laughed shakily; he had re-
covered himself n little now.
IT'S everything to me-" he said,
rather hoarsely. You must know that
it is, Esther Will you marry me?"
II only premeditated proposals were
there
tho world. Ten minutes ago. when
Nfioky Mellowes walked into tho room,
he had no intention of asking Esther
10 marry him, but now 1t seemed AZ "
he had come for that express purpose,
as he stood there, Erin,ly obstinate,
There was n moment OF silence; then
Esther drew herself up. ,,
81 think you must be mau; M ,,y,sn sne IN s1rT NV
life. have told you that l am "'re"uy
engaged" ,,s,.roroo
will you marry. me?"
She drew back from him.
"You must be mad;;w d!;;wo,,,vo sa,d ,ha,
TWO or three times already. but assure
you that I'm quite sane l loved Eou
the first moment I ever saw you; nut
Of course. you won't believe ~ ho"-
ever. that doesn't matter-you maven
answered my question VIII you marry
"You know / am engaged-how ,or,, dare
you? " She backed away from
him till she was close TO the door' M'ehE
"'seI You needn't be atraid-l'm not going
10 hurt you---1'm not gong 10 NOV
from this hearth rug, but l. should IKE
YOU TO answer my question. once again.
will you marry me-!
He forgot his promise and took step
toward her ,, .
IT can make you happier than any
other man possibly could, I've never
cared for a woman in my hfo u" mot
II wouldn't marry you Z you were were
sSsr sSs onIy IIEs yoa mS" u. '" Her voice shook
with anger now. MY answer Is mo- mGm
IL live to be II hundred sns
added vehemently. The words seemed
forced from her by something in his
"You will" said Miclty calmly; though
he felt anything but calm. women
always do but II you don't feel IKE
changing It just at this moment will you
please tell June am here? came to
see her, and I'm tired of waiting
He turned away and went back to his
seat on the arm Of the big chair as II
nothing had happened. but MS hand
shook when no tried to light cigarette.
When June came back he was abscntly
Running tho pages OF n magazine; shc
hooked at him for moment: then began
rNiickyl What in the world has hap.
fead a paper upside down"
Micky started, looking down at the
he laughed too, and finging. the masa-
zine across the room, got to his feet
stretching his long arms. s
where's Esther" June demanded.
All ri asked ssms her back TO stay ana a"u'e you
she did her best" said Micky drIly.
But ! am afraid bored hcr.
Il do think you two might try TO
like one another. II only for my sake.
she said. IT'S so perfectly obvious
that you hate one an99ther' net and and l can
One Of your instructive hates per
haps," Micky submitted, with II touch
OF irony. Ho went back to the chair
found a berth" he said, after a mo-
ment. June nodded.
Yes, Mrs. Ashton"
Something In the tone OF his voice
4nade Juno look up quickly.
"Well?" she said.
"a Micky shrugged his shoulders.
"No;hing-t dared to suggest that
md she flew at me-"
Juno laughed.
That's just Ike Esther; she asks for
she didn't ask for mine. Micky
" in, IT very kindly volunteered the
"ohi" June was on her knees now
They're stale" she informed Micky
andtdiy. But you won't know It
hen they're toasted"
Micky watched In silence. He was
Iondering II June had heard anything
f his conversation with Esther they
ad both spoken rather loudly. He was
lso wondering whether he should tell
'You must make allowances for her"
Hume said brislliy, as he was still hest
htmg 81 know she's worri cd about
Wthis man. I discovered another thing
Hfhls morning, Micky"-she turned with
B sudden Jerk TO look AT him, aud the
bun fell Oft the fork into tho fire.
W Micky laughed.
M well what have you discovered
ow2" he inquired
why. that abe cant writo to him
ne doesn't give her an address-or II
oefore she has time to answer his let
X>erB. II looks to me, Micky. MS II that
M1'bung man is shirking his responsible
X|Iies. II you ask my candid opinion,
asG Nick ~0s nad ever ses "% rn,hsT ss"" mncom
cSihE s,&iSly' about ,at tn. fellow is travelling
M "He could give her an address and
4hve the letters sent on, couldn't he?"
5June demanded.
I{|I Micky rubbed his chin.
Va What does she want to write to him
|tlbr?" he asked presently,
|<tN June swung round, and q second bun
Z. {.Slmost shared tho fate OF the hrst, but
ho grabbed II back In time.
/M What does she want to write to him
XXbr?" she echoed with scorn. my poor
*10hild, what does any one want TO write
IN any one for? She's in love with the
X IAN, and when you're In love you simply
|5 i've to write Il down-at least, that's
" 1de experience Esther's bursting 10
rite and tell tho phantom, lover how
tuch she loves him and what Won
rful man he is as a matter OF faot she
Z les write to him, and tears the letters
again. and that's no satisfaction. ]
lsh to goodness he'd got run over and
bne with" abe added exasperatedly.
I'T don't suppose she wishes It," said
icky .. -