Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1921-12-07
CHAPTER XVI
A Hint Of Trouble


7 rather liked Lionel Champion, ant
rally hoped that Nell would marr!
Nm I thought he would make quite
! nice brother in law, and also l Sc
cretly thought that he was too nice FOL
my sister.
Nell was 80 thoroughly conceitec
ana Affected. and there seemed moth
ins ike that about Mr.. Champion.
After dinner father went round tt
"A, stables with Mr.. Alberry. and Mr.
Champion and I we're left alone.
Inlay I smoke here7" he asked. nn(
I said, "of course, you may. Every
enc smokes here
hWill you have cigarette, them
NJ asked, but I shook my head.
mo, thank you"
"Your sisters smoke he said.
II know they do, but l don't like It,
I tsd him. "If did dare say
should smoke all day long"
l looked at him with friendly eyet
o. he 1t a cigarette, and then, without
realizing the tactlessness of such /
remark, burst out impulsively: "I'n
% glad you're going to marry Nell.
There was a moments silence. NJ
Champion threw the match away will
an angry little gesture, and when he
turned round again to look at me hi
lace was red and embarrassed.
who said was going to marr,
Nell?" he asked stifay.
II was my turn to look confused.
answered helplcssly.
II don't know. AT least. II wns only
what ! heard. Mother wrote; she sni,
Oh, l do hope I haven't said
the wrong thing?" asked agha
ffully aware that, with my usual tact
lessness, had.
He laughed grimly.
"I'm not blaming you. But you'v,
not quite got the right facts, that's ali
am not engage" smiled-"def
nitely. that is. should say, pcrhnHs
~ said: "Oh !" And then, after nm
embarrassed silence. added, with gen
uihe feeling: II think I'm sorry. ]
should like to have you for a brother.
in.law."
u am honored," he said, dryly.
There was another silence, which ]
broke again.
II hope you won't let mother know
what ] said; she'd be SO angry. She d
never forgive me-" The color rose in
my cheeks beneath bis quizzical eyes.
II suppose they've told you that I'm
the bad girl Of the family" added.
NO; l cannot remember ever having
Assid Of you until today" he answered
candidly And yet - surely I must
have done So"
Td heard Of you, anyway" l an
wered, with my usual frankness.
What had you heard?" he asked.
waved a vague hand.
oh' lust that you were rich and
KY eligible, and-and things like
mat, l answered.
He frowned.
Not that might be In the least
aks, ! suppose?" he submitted. "Lit.
ue things like that are of no conse-
quenCe, ! suppose"
shook my head.
I'm sorry, but don't think 1t was
mentioned" 1t seemed difficult to ex-
pam to him that money and eligibility
we're the only things that seriously
~unted at home.
LIE re was silent, staring up at the
sr.st. ' N'''' VIZ" ~
ne was certainly good looking, I was
bound to admit. l liked his fnce more
si knew him better, and he evidently
nN my gaze. for he bought his ewes
u0wn 10 my level to ask:
\ ana this man Anderson What dc
you think of himp"
The question was so unexpected that
1ushed painfully.
4 oh, he's all right" said. Hes
osen rather kind to me: he took me
nttns once or twice, and he said that
Sosa,,on Sms on he would teach me to rid,
j asked. saw 'eai''o oeiore! he
- No, have never learned any Of
esr,. e 'aalngs that my sisters have.
MA, uance--at least, not properly-or
'Iy' rgIatds' or do anything like that"
| ou,st,uai rather a pity" he said
bscl = You'd look we'll on horse
tclt pleased.
I,noss sn,,ould love to learn II I had the
,o,,I ~ told you I had some propert,
sinrasa sia 'n's way" Mr.. Champion con
Sali Well. ! have some horses a.
tima,s uhu l shall be coming down some
40 n .n the near future, dare say,
moun,yu you WIN allow me to lend you q
wal, s very kind" answered. "Bu,
son you SEQ, ! promised Mr.. Andcr
n,"r At least, he promised,
Wnn, ! stopped In confusion.
kapnSrS NOV could possibly explain that
WIKI ItbUn'iy H Mark Anderson had donC
s,ks% %%nat 40 you mean?" my companion
Yon smiling. First you saw that
~ sEmroImiSed, then that he promised. y
eOpSsodi, ! did--so he did" | answered
ws'Ssedly ws'ra Only, you see now--weli
thons, not friends any more" and
NOT Sn ia ! tried to speak as II II aid
my WMioo Io.er one tiny bit, l know that
were Voice SiSs,T was unsteady and my eyes
NJ, o,Grred with tears.
he's NJ, NS,hampion said: "Humph Well,
maIo not the sort Of man for you 10
that IT, u friend of--an intimate friend,
lni l mean," he said.
"WyHUSed up Indignantly.
napIeGy What do you meanY" I de-
4 {a What do you mean2 Mr..
A