Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1921-06-04
AT'CUPIDiS CALL
By MAY CHRISTIE

bis missing money. No doubt he was
here for that particular purpose Sn'
would very soon find out.
"Hcllo ~ She looked brightly at her
guardian. IL forgot to tell you tina
Mr.. Dick Calnrdn Is coming here tc
dine tonight-at least, ] asked him yes
terday."
"Did you. indeed!' Bellairs did not
seem interested. when did you meet
hm--yestcrday?
Before brcakfast--when I was out
riding with Mr.. Nandavecr.
Bellairs smiled little oddly.
II saw him later in the day. and he
made no mention Of your invitation.
The man went on arranging the flow
crs upon the mantelpicce and didn
look at Eve.
"Oh. but of course he's coming"
''ls he indeed
"Why, guardie. what's the matter?
Eve assumed q habyish air of wonder
ment. Darlington was not generally 50
morUsc.
IL wish you wouldn't call me guar =
die. His voice was curt. After all.
your no child, Eve. And the baby
role is much too young for you l
wish you'd try TO take a more serious,
intelligent view Of life--to cultivate
your mind bit. Then maybe you'd
attract some worth while man. At
present no really worth while chap
would waste his time on you
Miss Eve rcddened. And her temper
rose.
You mean that YOU wish to borrow
nv prcrogative and assume the youth
fulncss." :" Her lips curved in Il sncer.
TOO young to be my guardian, nre
YOU? But not too young to play the
part of lover to your typist-'
Re silent. girl" lie turned on her
so violently that Eve ypcoiled. AN
other word md I'll turn you from the
housr, And let me tell you one thing
he glarcd at hcr-'the typist, as you
call her. il worth a thousand Of such
empty headed little nincompoops as
you - =,
Ewes breath departed temporarily
from her, as also did her usual Ioise'
This was n new. unknown Bellairs!
He could not possibly have discov-
cred the loss of the $500. He could not
possibly suspect Miss Mary Drew.
But what was lie doing, then, in
Marys boudoir?
EYES bewildered glance roamed to
the mantalpiece. And there it halted.
For Mt one end. behind the mirror,
pecpcd a roll of folded papers.
A small. triumphant smile lighted
her shallow little face. Miss Mary
Drew-that paragon of goodness, cley-
erness and general attraction-would
have to explain the presence Of this
roll of bills.
Darlington Bellairs' glance followed
Ewes. lie vas thoroughly angry with
the prcsumptuous girl. How dare she
speak of Mary Drew and of himself as
she had done? 10 think that such n
little pcnnilcss nobody would be so
utterly impcrtinent. Her understand
edness. too, annoyed him greatly.
Mary Drew had told him of her mid.
night visitor. It had either been Miss
Of Nandaveer's, the Cingalese. He'd
fling Nandaveer and the Oriental out
at once-yes-and Eve, too, If she an
noyed him any further.
He had come up to Mary's sitting
room to discover what the midnight
had hetokenod. Immediately
he had seen the roll of bills. Bcllairs
was no fool. He soon put two and two
together.
This was Ewes clumsy scheme. OF
it was. Vandaveer had possibly
aided and abetted her. Well, it was
like their impudence.
Bellairs leaned forward and dexter
ously flickcd the roll Of bills from their
supposed hiding place. He turned to
Eve, the package in his hand.
so this is what you've stolen from
my safe.' he sneered. "And now YOU
want TO put the guilt on Mary Drew
you blundering, clumsy little thief"
Neutrality-suspicious.