Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1920-11-29
Tony Chooses

HpCT where Is Charlotte?" Mrs. Har-
- riman was facing her son in blank
amazcmert. Over and over again in
her. m nd she had rchearsed the meeting
with her daughter-in-law She would
have to he careful to throw just tho
right infection IN her voice. a careful
blend Of sweet humility and gracious
ness that she hoped would disarm all
suspicion. Mrs. Hartman realized that
she would. have TO play her. part care
fully lost Tony IN his new role Of father
and loving husband suspect that she
had no intention Of pampering Charlotte
once she had tho girl back and safely
under her wing. Tony,s appearance
or her guard this WIS n thing she had
net anticipated happening.
Tony was in his mothers sitting room
and she was studying him closely. lie
seemed older there were lines about his
mouth and his eyes as they met hers
had n Steadincss and Il firm purpose
that she never remembered having seen
there before
81 came home without her" he said.
For the present she will remain in the
country"
"ln that awful house that you have
told me about" Mrs. Hartman threw
up her hands IN n gesture of incredu-
lOus amaznmcnt. Certainly not with
your permission -
Tony did not answer and his mother 3
anger rose, Now sec here. Tony. l
want the truth of the matter" She
rose in evaporation and trailed her soft
drapercs over the rugs to where he was
sitting. But as she sat on the arm Of his
chair in the old way, she fClt lack OF
response in him that terrified her AL
ways she had been able to reach Tony.
to influence him. until that awful night
when the telegram from Wcstonbury
had brought the news that he had a son.
That night ho had treated her as an
outsider, and she had not seen him
again till now. Was Il true then. that
her power over him was gone?
She slipped a soft arm about his
shoulders. but he squared around to
look at her the better "we'vc hurt her,
mother. terribly. I've tried in every way
possible to reach her. hut she doesn't
'are. for me any Longer; shes changed" "
Now, Tony" Mrs Hartman tried to
make her voice sound entirely practi-
cal "do you mean to tell me that Char
lotte has refused to come back. and that
YOU have accepted her refusal"''
Charlotte has preferred not to come
back" he corrected stifiy.
But she'S your WIFE don't YOU under
stand that, and the baby is n Hartman.
I'm surprised at you. Tony. for being
20 spincless All YOU have to do is I"
assert your authority. She must come
back. Heaven knows thiS matter has
gone far CROUCH. people are talking
nonsense"
THE time 10 stop peoples talk was
before. mother, now II Is too late.
won't force Charlotte to live with me
and | won't have yOu interfering in the
matter. That must be understood
Mrs. Hartman Quailcd before the
anger in Tony's eyes. lie rose auu
walked out Of the room without an
other word. leaving his mother furious
because she had left so much unsaid
She hadn't a chance to ask about the
baby and Of course Tony mist be
forced 10 sec matters in the right light
His father should be told and steps mus
, be taken Immediately TO bring char,
lotte back into the house But that night
when she spoke to- Tony's father. she
was amazed to discover that he sIdet
| with Tony.
| Leave the boy alone" he saiG
| brusquelv, "it's his affair and lie mus
| fight it ont by himself II Charlotte love
! him. she'll come back OF her own fret
/ will, and I believe she does"
! Tomorrow-Charlotte Comes Back