Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1920-12-11
The Phantom LOuer
BY Ruby Ayres

terent to what you are. You've a per-
feet right to, | suppose, n you wish. but
nate being deceived and treated like
mat | suppose you think anything is
good enough for me! Perhaps II is,
Micky brought his fist down with a
oang on the back OF the big armchair.
., give you my word of honor, Miss
shepstone, that what said was only
because It seemed the best way to make
you trust me. had absolutely no other
reason for pretending to---to-be any
thlng but what | am. I know you'd
nave gone. off at tangent IL I'd said
/ know"
She shrugged her shoulders
You didnt even write TO mo from
your, real address-,you Just put num-
laugh. "I suppose you thought shouldn't
UNDERSTAND that u number can also he
an expensive fiat"
He went over TO her and tried to take
her hand. do forgive me I beg OF
you 10 forgive me--i'm a clumsy IDIOT.
put you don't know how hurt I've felt
about being turned down in this way"
IT'S absurd to feel hurt haven't
keep saying that have. why II
hardly know YOU" she added with a lit
tie angry laugh.
Mtcky turned away; he stood staring
down into the fire; neither of them
|
She carried a tray Of cakes and no,
toast she set It down with a thump
on the round tab 10 by the fire
and NUw how %srs Ssrs go, going to be cozy Well;
Micky,. I've told Esther so much about
OF your name"
IL never said so," Esther protested
She had taken off her coat now. He
wondered II II was the coat his money
mad bought her; II was not half good
enough, anyway. Ifo thought of the furs
a. n,,u nr, expensive gloves which Marie De-
land wore, and he longed to be able to
give some to this little girl who sat
mere with such angry defiance in her
He realized that this pride Of hers
was going to be the hardest barrier Of
all between them -
-, More tear" June demanded across
the table, and Micky said, OBJ
yes yes, thanks" hurriedly. AS long as the
meal was unfinished Esther would have
10 say in the room. he thought she
could not very we'll leave before but in
,lis ne was mistaken for Esther put
at June. ' anu '0o"e0
viii you think me very rude IL ]
run away" she asked i've got to see
MRS. Elders and tell her am STAYING
on on M think she has been trying to let
/, June looked disappointed. ooh. well.
II you really must CO." she yId. Come
pacK when you've seen her.
Thank YOU" sal Id Esther. She turned
s 20 MicKy' VINO had risen. II won't say
to speak lightly.
He held open the door for her, and
moment later she had gone, As soon
as he came back TO his chair June
What have you said to annoy her.
She looked quite angry. I wanted
you TO Ike each other, Really, Micky
you are the limit! She won't come bacl
mo- said MicRy' SS;o %i9di Y don't think sh
VIII. He laughed rather chagrinet
laugh. II haven't said anything as IA
as know" he added. ITS what you'v
: said. fancy. You've fed her up will
accounts of what a wonderful person
! am"
80 you are" said June
He frOwncd
; 81 came to tell you about Miss Shep
Ss2fh St2fe . SoH u asked me to get her
. June laughed
Ny dear boy, you're too late Sh
. doesn't want your help now, or min
, either, for that matter" she added rue
fully: She's a lady Of means-tha
wonderful man Of hers who's tucked u
In Paris having the time OF his life {
week"
She paused and looked at him ex
pectantly.
Well, why don't you look surprised? {?
she asked
Mlcky swallowed hard.
= 'I am surprised '" he said TOO joll
surprised for anything. It's good news
, eh?'
Micky laughed to himself as he wen
down the stars he wondered IL he wa
:: getting clever, or II June was not s.
quick 10 see a thing as he had believed
that she had not noticed the constrain
. between himself and Esther.
| He picked up a taxicab at the corne
Of the ,oad and was driven back to hi
fiat
There were several letters lying oi
the table; he fiicked them through disln
terestedly; then he stopped-the las
ono was from Ashton.
Mickey stood for quite a minute star
ing down at the handwriting, which HI
had been at such pains to copy. Their
he rippel open the envelope.
Ashton wrote from Paris:
Dear Micky-Just line to send yot
my address, as promised. Hope things
are going we'll with you. | am staying
on here for the present, as | have rur
up against Maisie Clare-you remember
son, she's got pots Of money, and at the
present moment things are looking
promising. The mater would be pleased
IL could manage to pull II off, BY the
| way, i udTp say tOlu yOu L met
him the other day-he was very mys-
terious and hadn't a word to say
Surely he wasn't joyriding over here by
himself? Remember me to every one.
Yours, X. F ASHTON.
| And not one word about Esther! Not
single mention Of the girl who was
thinking OF him night and day. and
only living to see him again.
| MIcky crushed the letter and tossed
| II into the fire. That settled It, he told
l,nl ha tT,Y agzt
compunction in cutting Ashton out; the
fellow was not worth a moment con-
sderaton.
CHAPTER VIII
Esther climbed the stairs OF the
agency again the following morning
There was little feeling. OF deSpond-
ency in her heart, She had slept badly
| and she had not been able To forget
what June had said about Ashton.
Esther was Influenced by Junes In
| stinCtS," as she chose to call them she
knew it was foolish, but the fact re-
maned all the same;
When she opened the waiting room
door she felt half inclined to turn and
20 away again She would only meet
with the same answer: Nothing that
viii suit YOU today, Miss Shepstone."
But for wonder the room was al
most empty, and the tall and stately one
was standing at the communicating
door, ,.u
When she saw Esther she came for
ward. AL.
81 was hoping you would call, Miss
Shepstone VIII you cqpe into my
room?" Ah,
eagerly.
lady was sitting at the table look
ing rather bored and lrritated
She was gray-haired and handsome
and most beautifully dressed She
turned slightly when Esther entered