Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1920-07-26


htery, his p'Trdtc secretary. that she
began 10 thtHk Sepiously Of ,uu,yfUUc
as any Kind of a problem
X ETH ~ usual had left for the office
before Barbara was ready for break
fast. Hella came in at 10 o'clock threw
up the shades so that the June sunshine
poured into the room, turned on the
water for Barbara's bath. and half an
hour later, Barbara. wrapped in a lace
and silk negligee, sat with her breakfast
1 tray before her--au iced melon on a
silver dish tempted hey appetite poached
eggs on triangular, butter soaked bits OF
toHSt CriSr pink slices of bacon, smoking
| hot mullins and amber coffee poured into
fragile cup with thick yellow cream
and ivory disks of sugar Two pink
roses I'm thin vase nodded over her
plate as she ate. Everything was as Il
should be excepting that her brain was
busy with ,her problems and what she
ought TO do with them.
The bell rang with long imperious
whir that was indicative of Marcias 8
brisk presence moment later Zella
ushercd her into Barbara's sitting room
and Barbara had risen to greet her
mother-in-Iaw Marcia looked as fresh
and trim as Barbara herself, in black
and white, correct even to parasol. and
carefully adjusted Veil Sometimes her
! mother-in.law's efficiency and crisp
readiness to meet every possible prob
lem was tiring to Barbara but always
she admired the older woman From tns
early days Of her marriage she had
sought to propitiate her in everything.
&c! on with your breakfast, my
deal Marcia said smoothly. looking
with keen eyes at the girls fresh face
and bright eyes. There was something
fresh and unJaded about Barbara. some.
thing wholesome that was lacking in so
many girls. Marcia almost loved her
daughterin-law, at least. she cared for
her as much as it was in her nature
to dO so
Barbara finished her coffee and Zella
carried the tray out Of the room. leaving
the two women together.
II came over to see you about the
ChullOner house." Marcia said briskly.
IT'S getting late in tn" season and you
two ought to be getting out of town.
Barbara. who had been more than en-
thusia site about the taking OF the Chal-
loncr house. now was silent. Her mind
was working rapidly, She was trying to
think what she wanted to do She
wished vaguely that Marcia had been
different and II We're possible TO tell her
the truth and get the opinion of an older
woman Oh the entire matter. But know
ing her mother-in-law as she did, she
knew exactly what her attitude would
be There vas certain not to be any
thing sentimental about It, even though
Her gaze, which had been wandering
around the room, now came back and
met the clear eyes of Marcia
Well" said those eyes. or course
you're going to take the Challoner place.
Haven't | said that ii would be the
thing 10 do?'
II don't believe we are going to AXE
the Challoner place" Barbara said
calmly, wishing that the interview were
over.
1t was not Marcia's way to show sur
Drisr She was too we'll schooled, too
certain Of herself. 80.
You have some other place YOU like
better"
we've decided not to go anyHherC fash
( ionahlr" She was plunglng nadly, the
| bit in her teeth and reason tiying wild.
"You can't afford to lose a season,
/ my dear no one can. Remembrr you're
! not 80 firmly liked in society mat you
| cau afford to drop out :.
"KeltN doesn't care about society"
| said Barbara
/ she said evenly.
"But Keith isn't happy doing The
social round Barbara protested, using
, IN spite Of herself the argument that
would have no weight at all with Marcia.
" "a man mustn't be too happ% Tor his
3 own good Marcia observed, DO you
suypo,, O., W. asked the men what they
liked the would choose what we IKE
/ N" Most or them would live all day
In - n.,hr shirt in a mountain shack
. caung VII, food, and smelling OF nsn.
NInr 3r, like children Barbara they
""yS nay waat ,' T' Keith to be >happy;" Barbara
sand Suddenly. her voice soft, but an un7
nisrakaNe Hrmness in it that astoundea
W,r,la Erbrllion from Barbara. VINO
,%us s,, snteI didly launched. ii seemed
m(r.dlAr, And yet there was some
lhmg Hike -,rel under her soft "xterioI, I,i9l,
,hn. raM Marcia how useless it would
II over with Keith tonight
.,. I'.. srrsible, my dear" she said
r@..',r @ Remember, Barbara, you owe
:, -. .u..rsoIf and others 50 don't be sci
nsn ma Marcia swept out OF the
lC.u.
Tnmorrow-Further plans