Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1920-09-11

my God, Miles, you're going too far I"
ne stammered. There's q limit even to
what I'll stand from you"
thing. You came here Of your own
accord. You asked mo a question and
I answered. You think that Mrs. Dun
das means to marry you Well, I'll say
she does not. I'll go a step further.
even. and say that IL she meets a man
she prefers to you, a man with more
money. she'll turn you down this very
minute without seconds hesitation"
There was sharp silence, broken
only by Tranter's heavy breathing. His
nsts were clenched; and he was white
to the lips. Then, suddenly as IL he
could no longer trust himself, he turned
door hard behind him.
Faversham listened to his departing
steps stoically Then he shrugged his
shoulders Well, II had got to be, and
the sooner one got II over the better.
But he hated II, all the same.
Tranter. no doubt, would 10 straight
to Mrs. Dundas. Faversham wondered
now she would receive him and what she
would say. He thought It more prob
able that she would refuse to see him
az az. That was how she had treated
MIN In the years that were gone.
Not at home" He could still recall
the cold feeling that he'd clutched his
heart when he had been refused admit
lance to the house. Still could he re-
member the despair with which he had
turned and walked away.
1t was Tranter's turn now to 20
through 1t. 1t was q hard cure, but the
only one.
He had arranged to call for Mrs Dun
das at ! o'clock, but IL was a quarter
past before he was shown into her draw
ing room.
She was ready, dressed and waiting ::
and she greeted him with a nervous.
wavering smile.
Il thought you were not coming" she
said lightly. II was just going to order
my lunch at home"
She tried hard to speak naturally. but
her voice was odd and jerky. This mans
presence turned her blood to fire and
changed the steady beating of her heart
INTO palpitating uncertainty.
Did he love her? All night, lying
awake. she had tortured herself by try
He had not said so-had not even
kissed her. 1t seemed incredible that
this man had at their first meeting
played such havoc with her emotions
when years ago she had been able to
turn him round her little finger.
Faversham glanced at the clock.
= Am I late? I am sorry. Are you
ready? Shall we go7'
He had not touched her hand, and his
eyes were quite cool and steady.
Il am quite ready" She laughed nerv-
ously. Il hope you are not going to
take, take me ns,,, where we are at all likely to
morning, and had to send him away"
Did you see him?'
II suppose you told him that you had
a headache?"
She raised her brown eyes to his face.
How did you know"
% have not forgot tep that Wi, ira -
orally sent me away--in the old days
with the same excuse
She flushed from chin to brow.
You have an excellent memory" she
said.
"Yes-where you are concerned" he
answered. We'll. shall we go?"
She drew back
with you, after ALL"
Faversham half smiled.
Very we'll; but I must admit that
j am hungry. So IL you will not accom-
pany me perhaps you will excuse me?'
The honey bee brown eyes filled with
modification. She was not used to such
cavalier treatment. Had Philip Tran
ter ever dared to offend her pride one
have been on his knees to her now FOR
pardon
But Faversham was smilng-uncon-
cernedly.
She broke out into agitated speech.
Il don't understand you. Miles. Last
night you ordered me to lunch with you
today: and now today ." She
caught her breath with a little sound
like sob you don't seem to care
whether l lunch with you or not" she
added, in a whisper,
II think 1t was you who said you did
not care to lunch with me- he reminded
her.
Their eyes met. Shall We go?" he
asked aga in; and without a word she
followed him.
He had a taxi waiting at the door !;
and she gave a little stified exclamation
when she heard the direction he gave
to the driver.
Not to Marnio's. Philip is sure to be
there. Or, surely we can have lunch
somewhere else !"
Faversham got in beside her and shut
the door.
Il have no objection to Philip know
ing that we are lunching together" he
said, impartially
She looked at him with frightened
eyes
He will know that I told him a lie
this morning." she murmured.
Faversham smiled. looking at her.
1T Is probably not the first Of its
kind?" he submitted.
Her lips quivered sensitively.
THAT is not very polite she object
ed, family.
II am sorry, ! am afraid I am not
a lady's man."
He jerked the window down. letting
in the fresh morning air.
And you must not forget that you
have yourself to thank he added.
What do you mean" she asked,
He did not answer at once. Then he
said, mechanically: Il was never
woman hater till you threw me over"
A little gleam Of triumph shot into
her eyes.
as you have been" she said, softly.
Faversham laughed, not very mirth-
Il believe I once told you that IL did
not marry you I should never marry at
Yes" The little word was only
whisper. Something seemed to catch her
by the throat. stopping her breath.
Then he did love her, and had been
faithful to her all these years. She
closed her eyes and looked back once
again to the past that had haunted her
It was so filled with memories of this
man She marveled now that she had
ever thought II possible to wipe him
and them out OF her life.
She opened her eyes and looked up
at him. ~ , ,.u
There was little ripple Of amusement
in her voice After all, this man was
worth more than Philip II gave her
sort OF warm Satisfaction to Know that
Fayersham was willing to quarrel with
his friend for her sake.
philip came to my rooms this morn
ing" Fayersham answered, dryly.
startled look leaped into her eyes.
do you mean that you told himT
she asked.
He echoed the last words, not under
standing.
"ToId him? What do you mean?"
tn I,tpr