Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1920-10-16
4 Blue Ribbon Serial

nasaru into conversation with Gladys
Leighton.
Jimmy's voice trcmbled with rage al
he forced himself to answer.
I may"
He had never thought II possible tha,
she could so treat him, never believed
that she could be so utterly Indifferent
Christine laughed carelessly,
"Oh, do stay, by all means. Perhap.
Mr.. Kettering will stay as well?"
kettering turned. lie could not meet
her eyes.
Il am sorry. should like to have
tayed; but--but / have another en-
Sagement. / am very sorry."
The words we're lame enough nobod,
believed the excuse. Kettering ross
TO take his leave. He turned 10 Chris.
tine.
II will come to see you off," she said
-, She followed him into the hall, de.
i,nerately closing the door of the draw
We must have our little tea anotheT
day." she said recklcssly She did no
look at him. 1T was too bad being In
terrupted like that"
ing. Her cheeks were scarlet. her eye
were fevcrlsn. Kettering stiied q Sigh
Perhaps 1t Is as well that we were
interrupted" he said very gently. II,
took her hand and looked down into her
eyes. y
You're so young" he said. such q
child still. Don't spoil all your lie,
dear"
She raised defiant eyes.
my life was spoiled on my wedding
day. she said in hard voice. Il
oh. don't let us talk about It,"
But he did not let her hand go.
It's not too late to 30 back and be-
gin again" he said with an effort. -
Know Unjust seem presumptous for
me to talk to you like this, but--but
would give a great deal to be sure that
you were happy"
Thank you" There was a little
CULVER in her voice. but she checked 4,
instantly. She dragged her hand fr-
and walked to the door.
II was quite dark now she was gla
that he could not see the tears in h.
eyes.
When shall I sec you again7" sh
asked presently
He did not answer at once, AM
repeated her question: when shall I
see you again2 I don't want you to stay
away SO long again."
He tried to speak, but somehow could
find no words. She looked up at him
IN surprise, 1t was too dark to see his
face. but something in the tenseness of
his tall figure seemed to tell her a great
deal. She spoke his name in a whisper,
Mr.. Kettering!" !"
re ialu nlb mana on ner Snoulder. lie
spoke slowly, with averted face.
Mrs. Challoner, IL l were a strong
man l should say that you and mus;
never meet again. You are married
,nhappiy, you think now but, some-
how-somehow I don't want to believe
that; Give him another chance, will
you? We all make mistakes, you know
Give him another chance, and then, A.
that fails-' Ho did not finish. He
waited a moment, standing silently y
SIDE her; then he went away out T.
ne darkness and loft her there alone.
Christine stood listening to the sound
of his footsteps on the gravel drive. a
seemed to take lonG while to reach the
gate, she thought mechanically: It
seemed an endless time till she heard it
slam behind him.
But even then sho did not move: she
just stood staring into the darkness, her
heart futtering in her throat.
She would have said that she had
only loved one man--tho man whom
she had married: but now
Suddenly she covered her face with her
hands, and turning. ran into the houba
and upstairs to her room, shutting an
locking tho door behind her.
Down In the drawing room things were
decidedly uncomfortable.
Gladys sat by the tea table, enjoying
her tea no less for the fact that Jimmy
was walking UP and down like a wild
waiting for Christine to return.
Secretly Gladys was rather amused at
he situation. She considered that what
aver Jimmy suffered now. II served him
light. She blamed him entirely for the
arrangement between himself and his
wife. She had never liked him very
much. even In the old days. when she
had Quarreled with him for being 80
selfish she could not see that he had
greatly improved now, as She watched
lim rather quizzcally.
After moment:
You'll wear the carpet out" she said
Jimmy stood still. "why doesn't
christine cone bacA = h, ,.ein.... uI.
erlng?"
He isn't fool" said Gladys calmly
! call him an exceedingly nice man."
Jimmy's eyes flashed.
Il suppose you've been encouraging
lin to come here and dangle after my
wife. l thought I could trust you"
Gladys looked at him unfiinchingly.
II thought I could trust you, too" she
mistaken. You've spoiled Chrlstines IS
lie. and you deserve ali you get"
How dare you talk to mo like that?"
She laughed. Il dare very we'll. I'm
ot afraid of you, Jimmy. I know too
much about you. Christine married you
here was nobody like you In all the
yorld. It's your own fault IL she has
hanged her mind"
"Ill break every bone In Kettering's
o onfHGnded o,SpSTs.slv bodyi% Jimmy burst ou.
and sat down with a humiiiat-
lg sense Of weakness. leaning his head
I his hands.
Gladys eyes softened as she looked at
you've been Ill haven't your" she
He did not answer. and after a mo-
,ent she left the tea table. got UP
nd went over to where he sat
Buck up. Jimmy. for heavens sake"
n his shoulder kindly enough. "It's not
30 late You're married, after all, and
ou may as we'll make the best Of It. |
ou may both live another fifty years"
Jimmy said he was dashed II he want
fe; It was a rotten swindle from begin
ing to end.
GLADYS frowned. 'If you're going to
llk like an utter idiot! % she said I'm
atiently.
He caught her hand when she would
I'm sorry. You might be pal to a
nap. Gladys. I--well, I'm at my wits
nd to know what to do. With Horatio
oming home
Her eyes grew soornful.
"oh, 60 that's why you've come here {"
hristine You won't believe me, I know,
ut I've been worried to death about her
YER since she left me, Ask SaDgster
7you don't believe me. I swear to you
tat II II were possible. I'd give my
ght hand this minute to undo all the
'tten past and start again. suppose
8 too late. ! suppose she hates me-
he said she, did that last night in Lon
on. She looks as II she does now. The
ay she asked me II I was going to stay
dinner--a chaps own wife and In
ont of that brute Kettering!"
He isn't brute"
Gladys walked away and poured her.
III anoher cup OF tea,
Christine has been hurt--hurt much