The evening world., 1920-09-15

ment Mary appeared, but not thN
Mary Of the settlements In appear
ance. This time she wore a simple.
yet ultra smart, dinner gown OF palo
yellow chiffon, below which CLEANED
slippers Of silver. and stockings OF
delicate silvern threads. Whdting'r
heart sank, for she seemed like an
other woman.
+ Hello, Billy boy" she greeted. "It
was so nice of you to come and see
me. and you must be so tired. You
haven't had a wink Of sleep, know.
while I've had a nice nap"
She came close TO him, and caresSE
Ingly traced with her tiny finger the
lines which had deepened under his
eyes. Her hand touched his check
and remained there for an instant.
and Whiting knew that before him
was the same girl that he had loved
and that she was unchanged.
IT wanted to see you, Mary, dear
he said falteringly, for that comFos-
ure upon which a reporter prides him
self under all circumstances had left
him, and he stood before her map
and lover.
Come over here" she said, point-
ing to divan. She switched off thA
cleaning lights and lit a tiny lamp
which sent Il warm, red glow through
its shade Of crimson. Then she sat
down, and as Whiting took his pace
beside her. placed cushions behind
him and with her hand on his Shout
der, pushed him tenderly back to their
comforting softness.
well. Billy, are you surprlsed?"
she asked.
Somewhat" he admitted I had
always looked on you as my girl OF
the settlements, and now I find you
here fairy princess, yet just as
sweet and simple, and even more
beautiful"
She leaned forward and again
stroked his check. And are you
sorry?" she asked.
mo" he said. 81 am not sorry. be-
cause hlipN gbh hAt Nll' odllE Wb4l-
derful Mary OF mine, and that / love
you. Do you mind, now that you are
fairy princess and am just re-
porter"
do l mind?" she qucrcd softly. Il
am so glad and so happy, because you
loved me when | was just u worker
with you"
She leaned toward him and placed
a dainty white arm auupd him. any
poor tired boy" she whispered. az
che touched his lips with hers.
Writings eyes had been closed for
the moment. He opened them at tho
magic touch of her warm lips and took
her in his arms.
MY OWN" he asked.
For ever and ever" she promised
as she nestled against him.
For many minutes they spoke only
OF those things which lovers WHISPER
and Aever tell to others. Finally shs
SAID: i want to show you something"
and left the room hurr!edIy. She
returned with an envelope which bore
the postmark Newport, r. l." "It "a
from mother" she explained, and be-
fore you read it l want to remind Won
that my name is Slocum. Bryant ia
only my middle name that | used 10
keep every one from botherine 49,
about my work"
Whiting opened the letter in mvst,-
fication. 1t read:
THE GABLES. Friday.
My darling girl ta
Your special delivery Ietter
reached me this morning. and NJ
course | was surprised I bod
almost thought that my little gIrI
was so given to her work " as
she calls 1t, that she would never
ihink or marriage. You know
now l despaired when you hrsi
became debutante because Won
would have none of the men IN
your set. And when Won went la
the settlements | confess n nov
II nearly broke my heart Y0U,.
father told ms the time wa,s.
right
tron What You say about ~.
SET imagine you think / W.
disappointed about Won,
N''"'''' Al .lINt foolish mOtbgf
nat am, Thought ~ you as the
happy bride Of some man
wealthy, rich, powerful and loy-
ing, know now that I was ash
ing too much, and that you have
done wisely to make your own
choice. For though Won have
been away from me- and your in
terests for the past three wears
nave not been mine, ! realize that
you Inherited from your father
love of action, of doing real
things, that / never possessed
So now 1 know that your choics-. =
has been wiser than mine would
ever have Been for you.
l am glad, little girl. that Won
are happy and it matters little TO
me from what station in life vour
= sweetheart comes, so long az he
is good, noble, and wants ble
things, And II comforts me IN
think that you would choose no
other
As soon as you know defniteIv
tor your letter said vaguely that
he would propose to YOU soonl
phone me and l will come homo
Immediately and make prepano-
fFs t,.a. 49,,