Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1920-12-20

4 She raised her eyes now and somehow
u seemed as II, In tho last few moments
the man she had known and loved hat
charged into stranger - some on'
whom she had never seen before, whom
she hoped never 20 see again.
She forced her lips to spile; she fell
at that moment she would die rath?i
than let him see how she was suffering
or guess how she had suffered In tht
Hes been kind to me" she eait
Raymond made a little, inarticulatt
sound.
Hes got me to thank for ever get.
ting TO know you." he said. II gave him
your address and asked him to take YOU
asked him TO be kind to you"
The hands IN her lap twitched con.
''If ia had one-tehth Of his beastly
money" Raymond said then savageiy,
we shouldn't be sitting hore now as II
we were strangers--as II Lat
lie-,do you remember the good time We
| used to have"
closer.
| I've never cared for any woman in
ail, my life but you. It's cursed hard
luck: He sighed: You know I'm
married?" lie asked abruptly.
'"Oh. yes!" The words came stirfly.
ously.
you don't seem to care. I've often
mInSsgi mGnae5ea if e. you knsg-.apd II you
and s,T there was n little smile in his cyss.
we do things In style now. I can tell
YOU, ne said with sudden change OF
VOICE; She's as rich as you please and
Sne ikes to spend her money"
Another silence.
family. "Dp'' ''''"e' s"''
Afterward she wondered what made
ner say II. seeing that she did not care
IN the very least II he we're happy or
not why should she care? This man
was stranger to her.
,., laughed ru"fullv.
,,s, oh' suppose we shall, he said.
shes shes not a bad sort, ana she let's me
a,1ne '" He reused himself
lie-you'll let me see you again. There's
no reason why we can't be friends
JUST because I'm married." He trto'
TO- take her hand. but now she repulsed
h'm; though very gently.
you're not going to be a little
prude7" no said in a whisper. 'T can
give you the time Of your life IL you'll
let me. I've plenty Of money now"
..,,, Your % wife's money" said Esther with
He looked annoyed
f you like to put II that way--but
she doesn't mind-she's too fond of me
10 mind how much spend
Leiie-- She hated to hear that
name. because once she had loved II.
n little sick shudder.
49,, Are you faint?" he asked anxlously.
suppose II Is warm in here. Take
your coat Off Jove that's n fine coat.
- he ran an appreclative hand down
tne nne,s soft fur sleeve; a sudden suspicion
that?" he asked sharply. Not Mel
"Not--at least =" She could
not 20 on. Mickv had piv"n I. -
sh" knew. but she would have bitten her
tS,n Tongue through rather than have :old
u,I II had heen Micky all the time
She thrust the thought Of him from
nowhere would be plenty OF time later
on plenty Of time when she had shaken
IN the last rag Of the past
.ought cost %, n pretty penny; whoever
Vas he given you? II YOU can take pres.
ents from him. you can't refuse to let
me see YOU sometimes. and afte" u
you did love me once. Esther,
10 you remember the way you cried that
Yes" she said mechanically. "I re-
MEMBER; remember everything"
, You loved me we'll enough. then"
y" reminded her moodily. You didn't
behave like an iceberg then, Lallle.
same man I was--I care for you just as
You're married :" she said
He laughed at her reminder.
forsets that he is no longer
a bachelor" he said detestably
lie laid an arm Iamiliarly along the
nack or her chair. He touched her chin |
with his fingers.
She moved back. the hot blood rush.
ing riotously over her face. She was
white no longer: she looked like A
marble Galatea suddenly brought 10 life,
Raymond Ashton laughed, we'll pleased
He was confident that he had not lost his
bower over her. For the moment bis
appalling vanity blinded him to the fact
rat II was not love in her eyes, but
'corn.
'sked her. "'
She sat very straight and stiff in her
hair. 50 ''''
Il am thinking" she said. how I'M
,ossl6ie II seems that can ever have
'oice was low but verv clear and he
,eard each word distinctly. II am
that you are the most con-
emptible thir ! have ever met in my
he woman who is your wife"
Shc pushed back her chair and rose.
Would vow like to hear any moro Of
ny thoushts?" she asked.
BOX Of bewildered amazement in his
ace /; he tried to laugh. Even now he
hought she was joking.
"Laliie-,-" he said hoarsely. He half
eld his hand to her "Lallie-" he
aid again-but the cold contempt of her
ace struck the appeal from his lips.
He drew himself up with poor ot-
'mpt at dignity. =
so, virtue is to be the order of the
ay, Is IT. he said sneeringly. VERY
8 IL" IT, ,aof his eyes famed as they rested
on are herein Parls--alone !" he said
'sultingiy IF you are alone"
There was little point OF silence.
Ihen-then you admit that TIA, Mel
wes'a w. ,otse he s,ammered. ,e That It's he who
lt--' His voice changed TO a sort
threat.
Il might have known what he meant
}. do. might have guessed. Wait Til
see him-"alt till | get back to Lon
Esther smiled-a little smile of secur-
y and confidence.
There IL no need to wait" she said
uietly. "Mr Mellowes Ia here In Paris
ith me, If you wish TO See him"
Ashton echoed Esther's words
Here with you in Paris, =
a wave of hitterest Jealousy sureod
trough him. lie fell back st,.n
ruck dumb Ivy the force OF his emo.
ons, and h,sthcr fed away from him
own the street ''"
Then sh" suddenly remembered the no.
] from which Micky had written TO E",
ne would go there. 1t would bo SOM.
here at least TO sleep and rest.
1t was only little drive to the hotel
ls wishad iC had been longer.
l commits sion, "a "a. = Il
nd something in French, She looltod
} al him hut hiS far, 600, -DS"N