The spectator., 1920-03-02
THE SECRET POCKET
By WALTER ]. DELANEY

meAeSU aEs. LAufh DclSfeu sincere iy. But look at your raiAesatI'
 Tt Is nothing, considering the serv- ice rendered" bowed Rodney Cleve, aud he was the couriy gentleman complete as he lifted his hat and drew aside discreetly, ss the lady reached the steps of her pslatisl home and re- wsrded his attentions with an admir. ing glance
 Never since the days of good cid Queen Bess of Aerrie England when Sir Walter Raleigh set the example young Cleve had DOW followed, had . more delicate compliment been paid te ~omankind. Coming down the street, Cleve had seen the Delsvan autemo- bile halted with a jar directly is tho middle of the road.
 Something broken" announced the chauffeur, and Cleys stepped to the curb. Mrs. Delevsn, fair and forty, had pushed open the door Of the ma chine.
 Can you not Set nearer ro the curb, JohnT' she inquired petuiantly.
 Impossible, ma aam," came the det- nite reply The power is gone and it's something serious"
 Rodney Cleye knew Mrs. Deleysn by sight. For two months she had been bugaboO in his life without knowing 1t. He had met her niece, bright. pret- " Patty Deleyan, who lived with her, at severa. social functions, had fallen deeply iu love with her and had re- ceived some encouragement in return, but Patty, while she had allowed him to see her home on two occasions, had parted with him at the yestibule door and had never invited him to call. Then friend had enlightened Cieve.
 Mir. Delevan is 2 high and mighty descendant of the very oldest Puritan stock this informant said, and Mrs. Deleyan Is social leader. AS to Patty. they guard and guide her as if she were some princess, crowd of the fellows, circumscribe her list of acquaintances and frowp on the least sigD of an attachment"
 IL was no marvel, therefore, as Ceve
 
 this formidable ogress that he was inspired 10 s remarkable act He had whipped of his raincoat swiftly he had spread It out from the curb to the step of the automobile, had extended his hand and the lady had thus safely evsded the soil and wet of the muddy street
 His heart fiuttered as he snstched up the coat and shook it into folds and carried 1t away with him. There was DO sense of Rnecrstion or the ndieu- lous, for he had followed precept of his father, drilled iuto him since child hood
 4 stickler for propriety the elder Cleve had made & record ss 6 gracious. courtiy gentleman of the good old kind
 l. was few days after the incident of the stalled automobile that Nr. Cleye called Rodney into the library.
 'I haven't forgotten that this is your birthday, Rodney" he said. "and my tailor suggested practical present." and he removed from a box an over coat built on lines in exquisite hsr- mony With the prevailing dictates of fashion.
 Rodney expressed pleased approbA- fion and grstefulness Then, discov. ering small slit or the inner arm of he garment, he inquired
 Here Is a new wrinkle to me. What is this for?'
 "A pocket for the dainty hand sf any young lady to whom you may hap Den to be escort when the weather is cold" explained Mir. Cieve.
 Rodney sighed inwerdly. Would the fair hand of Patty Delevsn ever nestle there?
 A week later passing the opera house, Rodney recognized Mrs. Dele van in the line of those purchasing sd- vance seats Again the courteous im- pulse came into play. The ogress smiled grsciousiv as he stepped to her side.
 You will have 70 stand 10 inc for half an hour at least" he spoke If you wilt step into the lobb. where it is warm. l will see that you get what tickets you want through my friend in the box office
 of all the admirable young men murmurcd Mrs. Deievan ss Cleve re turned.
 Could he be Of any further service2 She was going only few squares to her husbands office He would be glad to he her escort and as walks were slippery would she take his arm! Quite naturally, as she did so. her hand slipped into the secret pocket. How original what 8 coIy concep- ton. She really must introduce him to her husband after sll his kindly attentions aud Cleve felt that he had certainly acquired footing iD their good graces
 1t was vast srep forward when later an invitation came from Mr. .,,A klr.. naIouor frt r,,nafioA