Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1921-03-14
LADYFZNGERS
Rx JACKSON GREGORY
o,,,,,cht Io,I, oy Charles soribnor's Sons

had not sent them. Then
could II be Justin after all? Was there
hidden under the surface of the man
vein OF sentiment! Had Evelyn un-
covered It. She was suddenly. and for
the first time In many days, eager to see
Haddon.
In a little he came out to her, his
face flushed from spirited session with
the old woman. He, too, seemed alb.
stracted. For a moment he was all
unconscious of the nearness OF Evelyn.
He stood plucking at his lip, frowning.
She studied him intcrcstcdly. She was
pleased to invest him then with a rug
gedness of character slightly more
rugged than 1t really was; with u
strength which, in fact, he just missed
having; one couldn't build Of him a
debonnir hero such as Mr.. Steele might
become to the mind of an impression
able young woman. But as hero Of
another type, purposeiul,. single.
there were possibilities. Evelyn grew
rather more languid looking, arranged
fair curl and her ankles nicely, and
saved intact what remained Of the big
white rose.
You look SO cross, Justin" she
said softly. "Are you?"
Haddon started quite like
Mr.. Steele in that, she noted curl
ously.
~ have just had little business
talk with your aunt he told her, COM
ing down the porch. Business is
somctimes--"
at always is, when It's with
auntie !" she laughed undcrstandingly.
She raised the rose SO that 1t brushed
her cheek--the more presentable side OF
the flower toward him. He didnS ap-
pear to have noticed II. His eyes held
hers moment, then went away moodily
across the gardens.
Now, Haddon had always been most
attentive in his way, a rather clumsy
wny which Evelyn now chose to name
'masterful." He had never once been
so rude as to think Of something else
when he was with her.
"Your aunt" he admitted slowly,
"is--your aunt"
She brushed the rose against her
gave no sign Of having seen either flower
or look.
1T has always surprised me-" she
said dreamily, that a woman so dread
fully businesslike as auntie should take
such trouble to have the pretticst how-
crs in the world. Don't you think her
roses quite too beautiful?'
II dare. say that they nre," he ad:
mitted quite without enthusiasm. II
hadn't particularly noticed"
Now Evelyn was quite in the mood,
herself into the arms, fsuratively
speaking, Of course. of Mr.. Haddon.
Never more SO. Her emotion was a
rare composite Of annoyance and ten
! derness. But, unfortunately for his
own plans, Haddon's "ruggedness" was
Unusually marked this morning. His
eyes were restless and little anxious.
I They were neither appealing nor pas
siOnatc nor even commanding.
\. "I-!'ve got to have a talk with
! Steele, - he said abruptly.
I tpresentablc" side left of the offending
flower.
l. Evelyn took up her book with a Sc
1 renity Of expression which was not the
texact reflection Of her feelings. Had
don went. Behind him remained on at
mosphere which at first irritated the
girl. He hadn't responded to her; it
was the first time that he had not re-
spondcd. His mind was elsewhere.
But Evclyn's irritation passed like
the swift shadow Of a scudding swal-
low. Her disposition was bright; wor-
ries made wrinkles; deep or abiding
uHSer was 1llpOSSlDle " ncT. NtAdtlOi
: fwas the limit of her blacker emotions.
She lay looking out into the gardens,
dimly aware that Huxter was out there
about his business. which included now
and then worshipful look from afar
and n Huxterous sigh.
What had happened to make both
secretary and lawyer so preoccupied
this morning?" she asked herself. Some
thing quite out of the usual. What was
happening, even now? Something OF
which she was not allowed even hint !!
Why all this secrecy? It portended
something big. 1t was mystery! She
was even now in an atmosphere of
stealth Life went on tip toe, its fin
ger upon its lips!
And the roses! Mr.. Steele had not
sent them; Justin had not sent them
Who then? More mystery, divine nys-
terry with thrill in its delightful tail.
Somewhere there was lover cloaked
in romance
All In all it was to be a day Of days
for her. For, that very noon, out OF
a clear sky came another event to
thrill. At the table Haddon announced
that he had left purse with $50 in
it on his table. And that, remember
ing and going back for 1t, it was gone.
Rachel Stetheril looked at him
sharply. Mr.. Steele looked at him more
penetratingly yet. Between Mr.. Steele
and Rachel Stetheril passed very
strange look. Mrs. Stetheril said
sharply:
keep your mouth shut about 1t,
Haddon. I'll talk with the servants
myself"
| And Tvclyn FIR tho remoinder Of a