Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1921-03-30

hat past o, O'Clock, and
nY call from her, no sound Of her old
s.lck upon the thick rugs or bare floors
.p,rowdy went to her door half dozen
s,mes, walking tlptoe, her face anxious.
NO sound OF one stirring within Carter,
very restless this morning. couohed
often behind his hand and nads Iittls
aimless journeys here and there. ston.
ping now and then, abruptly. IN listsn
The cook was in a condition bordering
upon collapse for approximately two
hours. The biscuits were "done TO n
turn nt the regular time, and went
cold. Tho cook hastily made up her
second batch, trembling lest Mrs,
Stetheril demand them while they were
10 the dough state. hut these, too, were
crowned and burned and went cold. And
breakfast. W
Robert Ellis came down at about s
o'clock.
You'll hsre brcskfas. now, sir?"
asked Carter.
>. No, Carter" he explained absently.
AZ nall past Q, please. I'm going out
for q little walk, frst."
re came back few minutes before
the hour and q half passed and went 10
the breakfaat room.
Has grandmother come down yetY"
no asked In q tone which to the ears OF
the serving maid sounded crimlnally
careless.
mot yet, sir," she Informed him
tremulopsly. DO you suppose that
IN wait for her," he said with the
same carelessnass, and the girl hastencd
70 JOIN the caucus Of servants convened
in tho kitchen with Carter acting the
part OF chairman with deep gravity. II
lacked twenty minutes OF ten when
Rachel Stctheril made her appearance |!
ana such an appearance News Of
II Ned from kitchen to the remotest part
OF the big house, out into the gardens
to the distant fields, and In an in .
credibly short time into Lockworth IT,
self! Taking into consideration the
hour and the picture which the littlo
old woman made 1t Is small wonder.
The only black thing about her was
her eyes. Her morning gown, q creation
which had put into a delightful flutter
Inc most renowned Of San Francisco's 9
dressmaker's, was lavender! There was
lace about the throat, too, wonderful old
lace as delicate as the most delicate Of
howers. White hair, family flushed
cheeks, dainty lavender gown. she looked
some great lady Of an olden time stepped
out Of q great artists canvas. And at
nearly 10 o'clock
instant, his two hands out to her, his
moody eyes going suddenly bright.
GRANDMOTHER ~ he told her softly,
as he held her hands and looked at her.
You ore wonderful
She smiled. Rachel Stetheril, who
had not yet breakfasted, smiled ! Carter,
one eye at the crack Of the door, turned
pale.
Something. like has come over her, 1"
he muttcrcd, with half mind upon the
instant TO give her notice.
Am Robert?" she asked softly.
1t seemed that the faint color in her
cheeks deepened.
"Dlushing!" Easped Carter. "It's
pcned?"
Robert Ellis kissed her and with her
arm through his escorted her to her
chair, placing 1t for her. She caugh,
up the hand which for a second touched
her shoulder and put her cheek to II.
"It's a fact" Robert announced M
he regarded her over the unfolding OF
his napkin. "You are getting prettier
| ana younger every day
She laughed at him. But the flush
in her cheeks was sstill there and ar
unwonted brightness In her eyes. ShC
nodded quite a gay good morning at
the girl who came in tremulously with
the Biscuits undeniably something past
the point Of perfection. The girl
looked a trihe embarrassed, being pre-
pared no doubt for an entirely different
sort of greeting, and withdrew hastily
to be interrogated at once by Garter
and the cook.
"Why haven't you always worn
gowns like that" the young fellow
wanted to know. Lavender was made
live always been too busy. Robert"
sho answered hastily. "Now I'm
through with railroads and real estate,
stocks and bonds. I'm going to see
Evelyn this morning, her and Arnold.
You and he are going to take the bur-
den off my shoulders, my boy. vii!
you come with me?'
hut he shook his head, his eyes sud
denly grave as they had been before her
| coming.
Would you mind II | didn't
todsy?" he asked. II have something
END quiChls
eyes, grandma. I am going to see
her this afternoon. After her school Is
out. And in the meantime ! ~
She finished It for him when he hesi-
tated, saying quietly:
"You want to be alone. To think
things over. OF course, Robert. III
have Evelyn and Arnold over to dinner
| In n day or so. You'll see them then. "
He looked at her gratefully. But,
out of q brief silence, it was she who
spoke again.
"You are quite happy, Robcrt?" She
asked Il quietly and with half at
tempt ut carelcssncss, but through the
words, thinly veilcd, shone vague visit
| fulness.
Ills quick smile drove the gravity
| from his eyes.
when you have done everything for
me Given me everything ."
III I only could There is Enid
You still love her very much,
Robert?"
with all my heart" he told her
gently.
| mc?" she bantered him. And then.
seeing the look Of rcproach he turned
upon her, she cried, Tut, tut Don't
bo fool.' In manner which was
something of relapse into the old
way OF the old Black Witch and which
brought a gleam of hope into Carter 4
dcspairing breast. :.
''Therc IL something else, Robert,
she said presently, her voice lowered
NO that Carter finally gave over his
undignifed position and allowed himself
To be drawn by the cook into an ex
| nreusion of his oDinions. II have seen