Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1921-03-21

days when ] am dreadfully busy, you
know why. whose future always have
Evelyn, in her innumerable en-.
counters, had always fnred best when
the engagement was Of the skirmishins
order rather than that OF direct, pitched
battle. The tone Of Haddon's words,
supplemented by. what a quick glance
showed her In his steady eyes, warned
her TINT there were difficulties ahead.
She sought to divert him by a continue
tion Of inconsequcntisl levity. But
again he was not to be diverted.
Are you going to marry me,
Evelyn" he demanded bluntly. "Or
are you noti"
"Oh ~ said Evelyn. drawing q little
back, her voice uncertain. Soon or late
she had known II must come to this,
but she had always let the time for ad.
justment lie beyond the mists Of to-
morrow. She hated to talk In the d.
rect fashion Haddon was insisting
was without wings. At the moment she
detested the man.
-. oh isn't much Of an answer" he
reminded her dryly.
why do you come to me this way"
she cried irritably. why do you talk
to me like this2"
Because I want to know. want
to know II you have changed your
mind"
ing him curiously. would you be very
angry; Justin? Do you = = : care very
Instinctively she was seeking to re.
trieve the situation from It's hcrfid
matter Of fact trend and steep It In
the warm dyes Of light love making.
But again he was unresponsive.
Certainly I have the right to know
what you plan to do. Will you answer
me?r
she said. pettishly. II am going in,
Mr.; Haddon."
equitably. when I get my answer -
Then no." she cried angrily. "No
and no and no! There. you have It !
You are hateful and never want to
go?''
NO" he told her quietly. mot
yet. And may ! suggest that you don I
speak quite 30 loudly? You may change
your mind again, you may not want
what you say overheard. Just a law
yer's advice, Miss DAILY"
LET me co. she cried hotly.
'Do you know" he asked evenly.
though his cheeks had flushed, what
q contract is?"
''Some day, when I need to know"
she retorted, "I'il have lawyer Of my
own to attend to such matters for me.
And 1t won't be you"
''There are verbal contracts as well
as written" he went on. They are
quite as binding. You promised to
marry me. There are witnesses that
such an agreement had been entered
into. 1t can be broken only with the
consent Of both contracting parties
That Is the law, Miss DAILY
Law! What do I care about the
law? Do you think you can make me
marry you?"
Eyes. I think that I can. have
very excellent case; I have made II
my business to have an excellent case.
I shall bring damage suit II you force
my hand. 1t will get from the courts
into the papers"
"You brute =, she flung at hin
breathlessly. 'You great, unthinkabl'
brute" :,
"But not unthinkins." Haddon told
her harshly. Never that. Not ever
when. in the first glamour Of the thing
you allowed yourself to commit Ger
tain little indiscretions which. very In
nocent. of course, will look quite thu
opposite when the newspapers air then
and garble them. Your little secret triT
with me last spring 90
oh" cried Evelyn, terrified
"Oh !"
Don't misjudge me, Evelyn" Had
don went on hurriedly, bit gen
tly. II am only trying to show yol
"I hate you.'' Her cheeks hat
and cold. "And know what you vii
do. You will 20 to auntie and try
to make her make me marry you. Ans
In the end you will make her pay YOU
lot of money to keep your mouth
shut ="
Haddon laughed, an ugly, irritable
laugh Of strained nerves.
HYour aunt has SIS 5,O00, ,0O0," hs
said In his old blunt way.
.'Do you think I'd be satisfied with a
few miserable thousands when It all
should come to you, the whole fifteen
millions?"
Evelyn, amazed, moistened her lips
and looked at him incredulously.
"You you mean S'
~ mean that you are going to marry
me and right away. 1t Is the best thinS
for you; It Is also the best thing for me.
I love you. You love me as much az
you'll ever love anybody"
II will never marry you" she told
him with spirit. She had seen Bond
looking toward them. Never"
For a little Haddon stood regarding
her frowningly, his lips compressed
tightly. When he did not speak she
looked up swiftly, hoping TO see q
weakening of his attitude. But she saw
rather that while he had hcsitated the
hesitation had been brief and that his
fonner stern determination had come
back into his eyes.
"Evelyu," be said slowly, II have
something else to say to you. Some .
thing which may change the whole OF
your future life. Something that II
going to be a shock to you. ] am tell
ing you because I believe that, under
your frippery, there Is a deal Of hard
common sense. II l am mistaken
." He threw out his hands and
let them fall lax at his sides.
Even at a tense moment like this
Eyclyn's lively curiosity responded.
What Is III" The stiffness which
she put into her tone only half hid the
eagerness.
But now Hsddon no longer chose the
shortest path to the thing he had TO say
now had he and Evelyn changed roles,
she direct In her inquiry, he circuitous
in his reply.
thing In the world do YOU