Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1920-09-06
THE DAILY NOVELETTE,
As the TUig Is Bent
nv EMMA eTRONa


train him in the way you would have
him go; then you will have a husband
after your own heart. Should the mar
riage prove a failure, you will know you
Lila Fox looked up from Madame
Mixlt's Advice to the Lovelorn." just
In time to see Winnie Weeks radiant
bride Of a week, pass by with her hand
some young husband.
and she read the advice" again.
Until yesterday she had been quite
happy and unconcerned about the fu-
ried the conversation from neighboring
porch to her ears. as she sat at an open
window, and she heard herself referred
to as THAT old maid Fox girl" by
Winnie's young husband.
Winnie was only eighteen and n
beauty, 30 Lila, twenty-nlne and merely
good.lookins, really seemed old and ugly
Il have a good mind to try IT," she
murmured. and whether she really
meant II or not, fate seemed ready to
help her, for at the dance of the Neigh
borhood Club that evening. Lanson Grey
persisted in dancing with her and her
only.
Though a trifie dismayed at his youth,
he being only seventeen. and a high
school pupil, the advice to catch him
young" kept recurring, and when he,
with fiattering humility, asked II he
might walk home with her, she just
naturally said 'yes."
1t was only minute walk, but
before they had gone half the distance
his arm was around her slim waist, his
eyes on hers, and he was murmuring,
"Oh. this Is what I've wanted since my
flet dance with you. ] just love you.'
And though she was scandalized at the
absurdity Of this kids" making love to
her. catch him young and train him"
once moro bobbed up, and she deiided
to accept what fate had sent.
Arrived home she invited him in
lust for a little lunch" but the ice box
yielded only tomato soup and cottage
cheese.
II love tomato soup" Lanson ex-
claimed in the same ardent tones he
had said he loved her. Bring 1t out and
heat It." So they feasted on soup
It was a case Of rushing" after that.
Lila had always had struggling admir-
ers, who called few times and then
lost interest. Tho truth was that her
breezy manner, which fascinated at first;
and made getting acquainted" easy, had
seemed to be too bossy" on more inti-
mate acquaintance.
But Lanson did not lose interest He
came every evening. proposed marriage.
could you support wife? You must be
fooling," he grew very indignant, and
"Tll show you" he declared You don't
care, for me or you'd marry me right
away
But married people have to pay their
expenses, and how could we do that?'
Easily enough. My uncle, in the
real estate business in Albany, has Of
fered me job at a thousand a year
won't that pay our expenses"
II did provide for them amply for
two years, when prices and salaries be-
gan to soar. Lanson had pleased his
uncle, who now raised his salary beyond
Lilas widest expectations
ShA haA n ah'
Lanson to do 80, too. They now felt
that they could afford a bungalow for
home, and. calling at the office one
day to see him, in connection with the
10 send out MIR Grey. "Teil him Mrs.
Grey Is here" she said; and the boy
went into Lansons office with Your
mother Is out there, Mr.. Grey, and she
wants to Gee you"
Lanson, who supposed his mother to
be at home. forty miles away. on the
rushed out to greet her. only to find
Lila there, alone.
why. what a funny mistake" he
laughed, but from that time on he be-
gan to be late for. dinner, slow to meet
her for the noon lunch. which they al
ways had together at a Broadway
restaurant: in fact his hours became 80
irregular, and his excuses for working
overtime" 30 plausible. that Lila got
Ruito usee " opohohie tho o'S'He
alone.
But even so, she was totally unpre-
pared for his not coming home at all
one night and for the harsh command,
by telephone. the following morning, TO
be at the police station at 8 o'clock"
Arrived there, worn with the nights
vigil, and fearing Lanson had met with
some horrible accident she was COM
forted by the sight of her husband and
a pretty girl of sixteen whom she rec
ognized as the stenographer in the office
could utter a word, one of the police
men guarding them asked the fright
ened girl Now, young lady, can you
tell me who this woman is?''
Yes" she whispered, his mother
whats your name?" sharply asked
the officer, turning to Lila.
Lila Grey"
DO you know this manT"
He Is my husband"
Young man, can you deny thatT'
mo"
The young girl. with a mufrled groan
collapsed, fainting, in her chair.
The officer turned to Lila: II found
them in the park at 2 o'clock this morn
ing followed them to the Union station
where he bought tickets for New York
They were just about to board the train
when Stubbs. here, rushed up with re-
port of girl missing | asked her name,
and brought them back"
Lila clung weakly to the desk. "Oh,
she was muttering incohcrently, mar
riage-failure-know the wrong
man"
(Copyrioht. 1890. bv Wheeler Syndicate. rno.J