Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1920-08-04
THE PARADISE MYSTERY
BY ]. S. Fletcher
Copyright. 1850. by Alfred A. Knopj. Inc.

Ransford turned quickly from the
hearth and gave her a sharp look,
eyes shifted their gaze away to her
letter. and she picked It up and began
to fold II nervously. And at that Rams
ford raped out a name, putting quick
suggestion OF meaning inquiry into his
voice.
"Bryce?" he asked.
The girl nodded--her face showing dis
tinct annoyance and dislike. Before
saying more. Ransford lighted IA
cigarette.
"Since--last timer"
Twice" she answered. II didn't like
to tell you've hated to bother you
about It. But--what am I to do?
dislike him intensely cant tell why,
but It's there, and nothing could ever
hlm--before--that 1T was useiess--ne
mentioned It again-yesterday- Mrs
Folliots garden party"
"Confound his impudence" growleo
tie with him myself. It's useless trlflng
with anything like that. I gave him u
quiet hint before. And since he won't
take tall right!'
"But--what shall you do?" she asked
anxiously. "Not--send him away7'
"If he's any decency about him, hen
go-after what ] say to him." answered
Ransford. Don't you trouble yourself
about tim not at all keen abou,
him. He's clever enough fellow, ana
a good a. assistant. but | don't like him.
II don't want to think that anything
that say should lose him his situation
or whatever you call It," she remarked
slowly. That would seem--.--''
!, mo IS need .,,s., to bother" interrupted
minutes--so to speak. Anyway, we
, can't have this going on. The fellow
must be an ass! When I was
young"
He stopped short at that, and turning
away, looked out across the garden as
if some recollection had suddenly struck
him.
when you were young-which Is. OF
| course, such an awfully long time
since !, said the girl. little teasingiy.
only that IL woman said No--un-
mistakably-once, man took It as
| final," replied Ransford. AT least-so
was always given to believe. Nova
"You forget that Mr.. Pemberton
Bryce is what most people would call
very pushing young man." said Mary
IF he doesn't get what he wants in
! this world 1t won't be for not asking
for 1t. Buff you must speak to him
and | really think you must win
you tell him that he is not going to get
me? Perhaps he'll take It finally from
| you--as my guardian"
| II don't know II parents and guar
dians count for much in these de-
generate days" said Ransford. But
| won't have him annoying you. And
l suppose It has come to annoyance?"
IT'S very annoying to be asked three
times by man whom you've told fatty
once for all, that you don't want HIM
at any time, ever - she answered. ITS
Irritating"
"Hll right" said Ransford quietly.
'Ill speak to him. There's going to be
no annoyance for you under this roof"
The girl gave him quick glance. and
| Tansford turned away from her and
picked up his letters.
THANK you" she said. "But-there's
no need to tell me that. because 7 know
1t already. Now I wonder IL you'll tell
me something more?'
Ransford turned back with a sudden
apprehension.
| "Well?" he asked brusauely
"what?"
when are you going to tell me all
about--Dick and myself?" she asked
know. some day. And--a whole years
gone by since then. And-Dick's seven
teen! He won't be satisfied always
Just to know no more than that our
father and mother died when we were
very little, and that you've been, guar.
|
us. VIII he. now?"
Ransford laid down his letters again
and thrusting his hands in his pockets y
squared his shoulders against The
mantelpece.
Don't you think you might wait until
you're twenty-one?" he asked.
"Why?" she said. with laugh. "Im
just twenty-do you really think ] shall
be any wiser in twelve months? OF
course I shan't!'
|
you may be--a great deal WISER
But what has that got to do with
it?" she persisted "Is there any reasoI
why shouldn't be told-everything?
She was looking at him with certain
amount of demand-and Ransford, who
Of this sort must inevitably come, fell
that she was not going to be put Of
with ordinary excuses. He hesitated-
and she went on speaking.
You know" she continued, almost
pleadingly. I'VE don't know anything
lat ali. never have known, and until
lately Dick has been too young tc
Has he begun asking questions?" de-
manded Ransford hastily.
Mary. '1t's only natural" She laughed
a little-a forced laugh. They say
she went on, that 1t doesn't matter,
nowadays, If you can't tell who your
grandfather was-but. just think we
don't know who our father was--except
that his name was John Bewery Tha,
doesn't convey much"
You know more" said Ransford. 81
told you-always have told you-that ne
was an early friend OF mine. a man OF
business, who. with your mother died
young. and ], as their friend, becam.
guardian to you and Dick. Isis there
anything much more than could tell?'
There's something should yer,
much like to know-personally," she
long that Ransford began to feel un
comfortable under II. Don't be angry
or hurt-!f tell you plainly what II Is
I'm quite sure it's never even occurred
to Dick--but I'm three years ahead o.
him. It's this-have we been dependen
on you?"
Ransford's face flushed and he turned
deliberately to the window. and for l
moment stood staring out on his garden
and the glimpses of the cathedral. Ant
just as deliberately as he had turned
away. he turned back.
NO" he said. "Since you ask me
, I'll tell you that You've both go
money-due to you when you're of age
Tits in my hands. Not a great lo
but sufficient TOTO cover all you,
expenses. Education-everything Wher
when Dicks twenty-one. his. Per
haps ! ought to have told you all thai
before. butt didn't think It necessary
IL dare say I've a tendency to lie,
things slide"
You've never let things slide abou,
u.s." she replied quickly. with a sudden
glance which made him turn away again
I'd got an idea that-well, that we were
owing everything to YOU"