Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1920-07-22

'uth itUEtn, CTObSe0 tfcm AT the ankieb,
and showed his hands deep into his pock-
ets staring at the racing blue water
with somber eyes
heavily. ~
81 want to live my own life % Cherry
her tortured spirit seemed to coin the
hackneyed phrase.
That stuffi'' Martin sneered, under
ms Ms breath; We'll, all right, I don't care
But III have something to say about
that, too" he warned her. You can
drag the whole thing UP before the
courts II YOU want to--vnly remember,
II you don't like It much, you did, IT, II
never occurred TO me even to think OF
such a thing I've done my share in
tnls business; you never asked me for
anything ] could give you that you didn't
set; you've never been tied down 70
housework like other women; you're not
every shopglrl In San Francisco all about
u. IN the papers. and see how much
sympathy YOU get -
oh, you beast 20 Cherry said, between
ner teeth, furious tears In her eyes The
water swan in a blur OF blue before he,
Sausalito. The boat had made. the clip
and the few passengers, at this quie'
hoontime, were drifting off.
', martin glanced at her with impatience
ItNtT IdlleQ 10 duktl
Don't cry, for God 8 sake'' he said
nervously glancing about for possible
oniookers. What do you want me t.
co. aor For the Lords sake don't make 8
te,i1 senne ,Ll until you and I have a chance
taik this over quietly"
, Chcrry's thoughts we're with Peter. II
nsn soul she felt as II his arm wa
aoout her as if she were pouring ou
80 nim the whole troubled story, sur
enat S ne would rescue and console her
4, Atxflta a
recovered calm. but she trusted hersei
on,y 10 shrug her shoulder as she pre-
ceaSd Mart to the train.
o., Ihsre was time for not another word
tpr hnS suddenly took possession
an the six miles to Sausalito, and mean
there. '
A.. She greeted Martin affeotionately. al
.nough even while she did SO her eyr
Cherry. They had been auarrelIng, @
ISourse-it was too bad Allx thought, h''
ner own course was clear. Until g.
could take her cue from them, she mu
ueat them both with cheerful uncor
sciousness of the storm. She invite
Martin to share the drivers seat VIZ
her, pushing the resentful Buck into tn
tonneau with Cherry.
AK, In the months that che had nc
seen him. had had time to develop
certain generous sympathy for Martir
put as che took the car swiftly throug
tne warm, sweet summer day, she bCf
gan TO realize afresh just how seriou
Sherry's problem was. It was not mer
~ that Martin chewed a toothp!ck as h
talked to her, and TOOK out a penlnifc I
trim a hngernall; It was not that h
was somewhat vain, ST. ,id, and opr
ionated: for the minor social def,cisncie
might have been remedied In a large
nature by an affectlonata word, ar
there were times Alx felt, when IT,
oeIt OF men IRE insIstent upon pervers
unconscious OF their limitations. Mar
TN had coarssned In the six years sine
,hey had first known him. There ha'
been something unspoiled. vigorous an,
fresh about him then that was gon
now. Alix sersed thar his associates
the mining towns In which he had live
had been men and women Of a low typ
Ihe dehling influence had left It's mari
Missing entertainment In his home. h
had sought 1t elsewhere.
But besides these things Martin har
a certain complacency, an assuranc
that would have been inexcusable eve
IN great genius. mental arrogance tn.
nothing in his life In the last degrc,
warranted He made no slight effort
adapt himself to the atmosphere T.
interested himself for not one momen
In their concerns, put out no feelers r.
ward the mood that might have mad
him an agreeable addition to their grour
He conceded nothing: he was MART
Lloyd mining engineer. philocophc
man OF the world and II was for then
to listen to him, admire him, and pra,s
and tease and aatter him In all he did
Humility and shyness were never a. par
OF Martins nature. but today he wa
CALLED by his talk with Cherry, and les
Inclined even than usual TO abase him
self.
Does Peter let you drive the car o,
Alix.
"Oh. yes. indeed. I love to run III
ca" " she said, with swift. smilin;
glance,
the Se warned warm hsr sTep TSs syss eo9
ing worries me like having a lady 9
the wheel" he went on, good-naturedly
that's the time say my prayers"
Plenty of women running cars now
Martin !" ,Alix said. cneerfully wshin
that Martin didn't always and infallibl
nettle her.
But It's no business for woman.
ne assured her; In a suddenly seriou
and confidential undertone. mo busI
srsnrS Hr in sRs first THEY aes haySn tt tn
haven't-well. they're too nervous, t.
the second. Mouse cross the road" sal
Martin. sucking in deep breaths as
lighted u cigar, "and-whee! Over sh
goes into n ditch. No." he said, kindly
but I think they make a mistake whe'
they think they're men,
only ono accident In ten Is with
woman driver" Allx argued.
That may be true: too" Martin CO..
,eded. largely. She knew that he wa
impression of being caught unprepared |
That may be true, too. But don't yoI |
believe that half the cases of women
accidents get into the courts" he adder
knowingly, You bet your life they don't
girl smiles at the polio"
man," He smoked n few seconds "
triumphant Silence why, you knew
hat, didn't you?" he asked In kindl'
patronage.
~ suppose sow Alix said. briefly
after swallowing more spirited answe'
with gulp.
"oh, sure! !" Martin agreed, in grea'
content.
They reached the valley. and Martir
vas nagnanimous about the dslayer
urch. Anything would do for him h
aid; he was taking a couple NJ dav
rolidav, and everything went. Kow wa
hopping wood after lunch, and h
'auntered out to the book with sug
hing. rimply because sne liked to do tha'
'ort of work, was favored with drrc.
ions Finally Martin pushed her as'd"
Here, let me do that" he said
You'd have a fine fire here, at tha'
ate!"
Later he went down to the old hous.
With them, to spend there an hour tha'
vas trying to both women. II was al
most in order now: Cherry had pleased
Ter simple fancy in the matter Of hang.
ngs and papering, and the effect was
resh and good. The kitchen smelled
eanly OF white paint. and tho Other
ooms wore almost their old. hospitable
spect.