Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1921-06-13

she had triumphed where ho had
failed she was rich, and free, whilst he
"a ruined man, save for what his mar
rage would bring him and tied for life
10 woman for whom he had no spark
of affection.
He paced up and down the room, un-
able to rest; he could think of nothing
Tut the maddening fact that Jill was
Where had his instinct been that hs
had not guessed? Fate had indeed laid
ner trump card on the table and won
the e, iGst trick In triumph against him.
through. his brain he would tell Elrica
the truth he would ask her to release
him.
But what good would that be?-even
II he were free, what had he got to
cffer Jill? He was penniless man
ruined man; and she was rich.
Once she would have married him
knowing that he had not a cent IN the
world was 1t likely that now-when
she had everything to give, and he moth
ing, she would even consider him, even
II she could ever bring herself to for.
give the past?
Any. love she had once had for him
must long ago be dead and gone /; IL
was not she who would suffer now, 1t
was only he.
Across the room the telcpbone wb,rred
shrilly.
Tallentyre reused himself. went over.
and took down the receiver
A woman's voice spoke to him across
the wire.
That you, Cig?"
'Yes-who is ity'
She laughed.
Don't you know my voice ?--Oh,
Gig how unkind."
He knew then knew that the speak .
er was Hillyard's sister, Dora Machen.
He apologized with an effort.
Your voice sounds different some L.
Does it!-well. so does yours; ia
anything the matter2' -
Nothing"
I've just rung up to congratulate
you-I only heard half an hour ago
from Ralph's wife. ! could hardly be-
lieve that you'd really done it ut last,
Gig l do hope you'll be happy"
Tallentyrc. did not answer.
Did you hear what said, sir?" she
demanded playfully.
heard"
There was little pause.
Are you doing anything tonight?'
she asked.
mo"
GOOD "SSt Sev s,e"Ins !" out with Erica, like a
| "No-she asked me to tea this af-
ternoon, but she wasn't at home when
got there, so ] suppose she doesn' 4
want me this evening either"
You're starting early' shc sa;d
mockingly. When was first married
n.y., my better half simply trctted at my
her.
...Well. will you come to the Despards
with me this evening?-they've got q
card party or something after dinner
they don't want US till o. Some mar
they expected has disappointed them
and they rang up just now to know IL
could bring some one. thought ot
you, and wondered if you'd come"
Tallentyre racked his brains in vair
to think Of an excuse; he was in M
mood for company.
'Ralph's wealthy sister in law Il
going to be there" Mrs. Machen wen
on. "Do You know her? Oh, but o
course you do! | forgot"
| Les, i KNOW ner.
well, she'll be there, and sh
seems to be the great attraction of tn
evening; sort of star turn, you know
Az the men are quite mad about her
Will you come?'
II shall be delighted"
You don't sound very delighted,
she said with touch OF chagrin.
What time shall I call for your"
| "Oh, about 9; they never begin t.
play punctually."
Very we'll, 0 o'clock"
Tallentyre rang off.
So Jill was to be there; he knew h.
would be fool to 20, and yet h.
longed to meet her again; his pulse
raced as he dressed; he felt as nervou
and jerky as woman. The tim
seemed endless till half past g.; bu
when he found himself at Mrs. Machen'
house he would have given a great dea
to have turned back.
Mrs. Machen greeted him effusively
she was beautifully dressed, and he
fingers blazed with diamonds; she ha,
wrung good allowance from her hus
band before he and she finally parte,
company. Money was her god had sh
spoken the truth, she would have sal,
that she cared for nothing else in tn
world
She gave Tallentyre her hand, whicl
he promptly kissed.
SILLY boy !" she looked up at hin
from beneath her darkened lashes
What would Elrica say II she knew?'
she teased him.
'She won't know" he said.
He sat down on the couch an
stretched his long legs wearily
Mrs. Machen glanced at diamond
studded watch on her wrist.
We're early; have tig.?"
She lit it for him, and another 70
herself; she looked at him criticall
through the whiffs of smoke.
whats the matter?" she aske
abruptly.
Natter" Tallcntyre flushed be
meath her quizzical eyes. Nothing
the matter" he said shortly. "Wh
do you ask?''
She shrugged her white shoulders.
Wen, you look rotten" she sal
frankly. "If you were a woman
should expect to see you burst int
tears"
YOU'D be disappointed then," h
told her serenely.
He rose to his feet.
i've kept the taxi waiting; hadn
we better goI'
Everything Jared him tonight; as
rule he liked this woman and foun
her amusing; but tonight he did M
want her company; he helped her int
her cloak, and followed her SILENT
downstairs to the taxi. They dro,
: away together.
What do you think Of Ralph
sister in law, Cig?" Mrs. Mache
asked him suddenly. you used to
rather a friend of hers at one tim,
: didn't you?"