Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1920-12-18

,,, LOW Low, s 90 ! Know " ISN'T sm msoe-
She hardly knew what she was say
shelf and hid her face In them.
Esther raised her head she had not
shed a tear, but her face was white
She walked past him to the door.
I'm going to Paris tonight" she
said. .Noth,ns YOU can say will stop
Very we'll, thsr I will com. with
you"
She did not answer: she fumbled help.
lessly with the door handle. Micky
came forward to open II for her, and
their hands touched. A little flame of
red rushed to his face; he nut his
shoulders to tho door.
stam%erins' n% Gant .ow r. like s.u this% hs said
deserved that you should think as badly
OF me as you do. 1t was because / cared
LOT you 50 much--I tried to save you
but rs tn. trath HsTha9' Ia "a IS.y ANY excuse
soul II l could undo whats done. n
oouio save you from this"
She was not looking at him. but tn.
eo.o "yop yGohtempt Temp IN her face stuns him.
aSa'n sad ia 1asgediy: But IFS the truth I've
! w ,oiu you Ashton never cared for
stonnad sSu .fat night at my rooms : ." He
bppou, bur sn,,, ne did not want to tell her,
u
torSe 20 &C. within % him that drove the words
He told mo he'd had to break win
iondon iAat ne was going away from
m,,st ma rrS ueeauSe OF you: He said he
rne ruth. u ! never speak again. He
never cared for you. Esther'"hs vas
never new NJ to kiss the ground you walk
S Sn. he wanted to Be rid Of YOU
On' you liar--you liar" she said, The
WORDS were hoarse whisper, her voice
was almost gone. 'N'
.vsr" she feli away from him. shaking in
Sidine bmo hnr shs dropped into chair.
d, II seemed a long time before either Of
dre dre,n moved or spoke. then Esther
u'""spsoo "pseo. nerseif to her feet.
whisper. and Micky stood aside without
He followed her cut and inquired for
th, ha,n there was slow one at 10 so
iy risgo 'o,u ons MN nm ne put Esther In a car.
lon ne Knew she had had nothing to
eat ana ne ordered a basket TO be made
up at the refreshment room. when he
% with ber Uack .vs. sne c;o vas sitting in corner
on her hat. and her golden hair was
tumbled about her face, She tool, no
notice when he put the rug over her:
sne ,n,o aid not even open her eyes when the
Micky sat down in the opposite cor
her her ne feit more tired than he had ever
teit IN all MS life. and yet he knew
tnat he could not sleep; his brain
seemed as II Il would never rest again !:
ne sat with face averted from the RIri
in the corner, looking out into the dark
ness.
Micky got up and took down tho sup.
per basket he had managed to get at the
station. There was a small thermos of
hot coffee He poured some out and
made her drink II. II he had expected
her to refuse he was agreeably disap-
pointed. She obeyed alphabetically she
even ate some sandwiches.
Micky was ravenous himself. but he
ished.
You'd be much more comfortable II
you put your feet up on the seat and
can have my coat as we'll as the rug.
Your hands are like ice."
lie took or his coat as he spoke and
laid II over her.
yet" he said ruefully. "If You could
get some Sleep"
She turned her head away and closed
| her eyes.
In the depressing light Of the Carriage.
The train rumbied on through, the
night; 1t dragged into many little sta
, sons and stopped terkily. but Esther
He rose and bent over her. but she
did not move and he went back again
| to his corner
He let the window down a little way.
hopins the cold night air would help to
Keep him awake; the minutes seemed TO
oraS, though In reality only a quarter
or an hour passed when Esther woke
with a little sn'othered cry
mi. ,Mloky picked up the rug and coat
waited few moments TIL he saw that
she was quite awake before he spoke,
then he said gently:
enough?" ''N warn"
Yes thank YOU"
I'VE shall be into Paris very soon"
you listen to me IL try to explain?"
She met his eyes unfinchingly.
There Is only one man who can
poss6ly 'E.n explain ana "a anything to me-" she
Micky lost his temper; he was cold |
and tired and hungry, and at that mo-
ment she seemed the most unreasonable
OF mortals.
II shall not allow you to see Ash
ton. Il you mean Ashton" he said rough
ly The man Isn't fit for you to think
about. He Is married. you know that
Esther for your own sake
She had turned her face away and
was looking out into the darkness; she
seemed not to be listening
Micky went on urgently.
biame myself ! always meant
far as this, ! shall never forgive mysch
for not having done so. I've behaved
like cad but my only excuse Is that
| loved you: | wanted to spare you
unnecessary palm He was no longer
stammerlng and self-conscious. his voice
was firm and steady. Il suppose | was
a fool to imagine that could ever make
YOU care for me- | suppose 1t was con-
ceit that led me to think l could ever
lover OF yours" He laughed mirthlessIy.
Esther, let me take you back home;
IFS no use seeing Ashton-'t only means
humiliation and pain for you,
Her lips moved, but no words came.
Let me take you home to June" he
went on. she viii tell you that what
say Is only. the truth. She knows
She spoke then.
She always hated him; II isn't likely
she would wish me to marry him." She
bit her lip. "Oh, It's no use saying any
more" she broke out wildly after
bear II II don't see him-just once
I've got to hear the truth :
rive, told you the truth he repeated
dogscdly, .lt's no interest to me to try
know I've done for whatever chance !
had with you. Oh. for heavens sake.
believe that It's only. for your sake |
want to take you back !"
She shook her head.
He broke out In his agitation.
"I've tried to spare you--Ive done
my best. but you won't let me
I've kept back the truth. but now you'll
you from him. He's never given you
thought since he left London--he imag-
ines that you've forgotten him. 1t was
he you saw at the Comedy Theatre that
1t, I NyIfb