Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1920-12-16
The Phantom LOuer
BY Ruby Ayres

, best way to get there" ..o
Yes" said Micky. His voice sounde
choked. And 500 you want to 9
out there 20 him. is that it?'
Her face frightened. -. .
Yes. / should have told June, onl
only she isn't very sympathetic. Yo
see"--she smiled faintly.-"ehe hates IN
phantom lover. as she calls him, an
i $3.50 i know she would only. do he
st to keep me from going to hun; bu
II am afraid" said Micky quieti,
that shall try to do the same thing.
He turned and looked at he
you've mover been to Paris" he said
, and probably you cant speak wor,
Of French. You've probably never trav
its impossible for you to go. Al,
only advising you for your own good
Why not write to--to--your fiance an,
ask him to make arrangements for you :?
tie letter in which she had already don,
50 lay In his pocket at that moment.
turned him sick to think of the tissu,
Of lies and deceit his own actions wer,
"f"f have asked him." she said al
couldn't have me-then! But that
quite a long time ago" she added hope
fully And thought II he saw me
IL i got there and sdrprised him
Micky turned away He could imag
Inc SO we'll what would happen IL in
deed she found Ashton. He walked ovei
the street with unseeing eyes
Have little patience" he said pres
entity. Take my advice and stay here
II he~-if he can. he will send for you
She sat twisting her hands together
nervously. After moment she looked
up at him.
THANK YOU, she said; ,, 49,
She rose and began to pull on her
II hope you don't think It's very dread
full Of me to have come, she said de-
precatingly. But but this morn
one to talk to-some one to advise me
"I am honored that you came" said
| Micky gravely
"And-and you won't tell June? she
"pHfT!l He smiled rather sadly. :,
II am not likely ever to tell any one
He went downstairs with her
$50 we're really friends nowf ne
said when he bade her good-by. ana
you'll promise to let me advise you
again Taen 70 S1!e TSers TSe euss Wss sure note @
anxiety in his voice.
She flushed nervously.
TITS kind of you to be Interested
1t seemed strange to her that Ter
have so easily got back to their old
footing of friendiiness. But Micky was
not at all happy; when she had gone
he stood for a long time at the window
When Driver brought lunch. he found
Micky porlng over Bradshaw; he
spoke to the man with elaborate care
lessness.
DO I'll will do
Yes, sir" Driver smoothed crease crease
sir?" he asked expressionlessly.
Micky looked up sharply but Driver
met his eyes innocently.
Micky colored.
NO It isn't a letter this time," he
said. TITS to buy fur coat
CHAPTER XIII
1.-THE phantom lovrr," said June Ma
son lusubriously." - certainly turning
up trumps."
1t was a week later. and she was CIV
Esther was out. She knew now that
1t was to see Esther he came. She was
quite reconciled to the fact, and had
Esthers indifference to him enraged her.
I'm beginning to think that I've mis-
judged our Raymond" she went on
laughingly Perhaps some % one has has
Esther handsomely. First the money,
and last week the fur coat. :"
Micky looked UP with sudden interest
"Oh. it's come; then. has i" he said
"Come It's been here two days. How
did you know?" she asked with sudden
suspicion.
Il heard you talking about It, Wasn't
y |, you? No? Then 1t must have been
II dare say" said June easily. "I
never saw any one so delighted with a
hing as she was with that coat. And It
s a beauty: Micky. only hope it's
Iaid.
She made a little grimace.
Because Raymond Ashton never paid
things II no could help 1t; and you
inow he didn't" she told him. How
YER. as he seems to be reformed char
cter, well give him the benefit Of the
Gu5t" 9 Suddenly she began to laugh.
This morning a collar arrived for that
lessed cat" She indicated Charlie
leeping peacefully on the rug. "A sill.
sr q sr,S collar; dn too my boy with Esthers
Micky stopped to examine the collar:
Is face was red when, after q moment.
e looked UP again.
Esther declares she never told him
lily. But Of course, she must have
ght."
Miciy was, drinking his tea: he
loked suddenly.
A feeling or panic closed upon him
ever told him she'd got cat! OF
'urse she hadn't! What a fool he had
zen to make such Il blunder-what an
tier blockhead.
Il expect she did tell him." he man.
sed to say.
Yes, that's what I think"
a moment later he came over to
here she was sitting, and stood behind
.r chair so that she could not SEQ hja
Ge. i've tried to make up my mind To-
II you lots OF times" he said. But /
ought perhaps you'd have guessed be-
re now. I" He stopped and
owed away restlessly. ""N
June sat very still presently
It's Esther" she said quietly.
Poor old Mlcky
You needn't be sorry for me;
g time" -
And Esther does sho
owy Have you told herr"
yes She took II as an in
It., Perhaps 1t was / don't know W.
U see, | knew she was engaged to that
An outsider! Who Isn't worth q
}ught June cried Indignantly.
licky, however could she have refused
Fie laughed. He looked down at her -
n a comical expression In his eyes.
'Shes not the first woman who's done n
IT," he reminded her. 4
Here Is Esther" said June suddenly
She got up and opened the door, +
The lady with the fur coat" she an
inced drilN Pray, come in, ma
ne !" ''H
June" said Esther protestIngly
'he seemed to guess who was there
}, looked past her friend at once To-
XIV ~"N' ~