Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1920-10-28
Old-FasI,ioned Ideas

If WAS with a sigh of relief that
Charlotte saw the last guest leave
and turned with a little sigh toward her
room. She had stood by Mrs. Hartman
a patheticaliy tired little figure In a Sill
yer gown holding a feather fan against
her slender bare neck to hide somewhat
the expnnse of neck that the generous
cut revealed. and as her mother-in law
looked down at her she could think OF
E",hing but the fact that Charlotte
locked like wited flower.
Tony and Fdith Comstock had carried
on a rnther eager conversation while
the guests were leaving. Edith hail r..,rs
d1wn the wide curving stairs IN n huge
white fur cape looking as fresh AMI
animated as She had all evening. Her
dark head showed satin smooth unde.
the lights. and Tony had pounced on her
eagerly. Charlotte looking on from n
distance that prevented her fiom hearing
what they said.
Now as she turned 10 go upstairs. she
heard Mrs. Hartman saw eagerly.
II hope you and Edith are going I"
keen up your riding"
She saw Tony's face light UP, and
she did not wait 10 hear what he said.
hut climbed wcariiv upstairs. When he
finally came In after storpinr for II
good night smoke he found Charlotte
curlcd ur In bed. She was very dit-
ferent Charlotte from the girl who had
slept In the little bed at the farm. Abovc
the rose and blue satin Of the comforter.
her pale gold hair framed her small
colorless face Her blue ewes net his
unsmilingly. She knew that he was dis
pleased with her.
"w"n" he said. Sitting down on the
bed. did you have n good timer"
Ia o.. ~ y
don't dance and I'm afraid your friends
found me rather stupid. You see. Tony.
! didn't know any one. ard It was hard
to talk" .r
Nonsense" he returned quickly. amy
ore can talk" 20"
But I don't know anything to talk
about. haven't read any of the books
they have. and don't know about
games. and I've only seen two plays"
And you showed that you weren't In
terested. That's the one thing a woman
can never afford to do with man. She
must he interested or pretend that che
Is You didn't even try to listen. be-
cause I watched you"
'T felt SO uncomfortable in that drcss.
It made me feel 70 naked" And she
shuddered
That's absurd. All the girls worc low
nccked dresses and a great deal lower
than YOURS Why don't you fix up a little.
too? You looked as white as ghost to-
night"
"Oh. Tony. don't ask me to rouge. ]
can't do that! Janice wanted to put
some or my checks tonight. and !
wouldn't let her"
He got ur abruptly and went into his
dressing room. When he returned muGied
up In his big white bathrobe. ne looked
like n boy. Charlotte. watching him. felt
her heart yearn toward him and II was
then that she remembered Edith Com
stock.
Tony" she began tmidly.
"Yes?"
Are you going to ride with Edith
Comstoci,? l heard your mother ask
you"
He turned toward her. why. yes.
We used to ride every morning In the
park. and. of course. there's no reason
why we should stop"
Charlotte had II on the tin Of her
tongue to cry out. "EIt you're married
now" only she kent the words back
You'll have to take riding lessons
and come with us" Tony said good hu'
morediy. Would you like that?"
"oh. no." she said shrinking. Tn
terrified of horses: l couldn't ride"
"Terrifed nf horses and you u coun-
try girl?" his tone was scoffing.
But I AM I always have -heen.
don't mind driving behind them. but l
could never ride"
"Weu. we wort w'rry about II to-
night" Tony said kindly, and when ne
s,ooped and kissed her. his kiss waS
.hc platonic carcss that brother might
have given his sister.
Tomorrow, the Suggestion That Wns
Scorned)