Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1921-04-23

The lady set her thin lips in a straight
line.
That is the mildest word with which
] can describe her conduct, Mr. Nc
Carly, although | could not with actual
proof breathe a word against her per-
sonal character OF reputation. | only
know thnt shc would 60 out. sometimes
in the afternoon but more frequently at
night. and remain until all hours with
ont word to me as to her plans and
the next morning she would invariably
appear haggard and worn, in state OF
nervous exhaustion bordering on pros
tration, as though she had been through
some fevcrish excitement
McCarty leaned forward with sudden
interest.
How often did she go on these expo.
ditions Of hers?"
"Only occasionally at first and at
irregular intervals: sometimes on srv-
eral successive days, and then n week
or two would elapse before she went
again.
1T seemed to me at times as though
she were fighting something, and IL !
were not familiar with the habits and
dcmcanor of a drug addict through an
unfortunate experience with former
client ! would have believed her VIC
tim. forbore to question her at
first. but of late her disapp"arances have
become more frequent, averaging sew
cral times week she has totally for
gotten or disregHrded engagements for
social functions for which | had been
ut infinite trouble and pains to procure
invitations for her, placing me in a
most embarrassing position. Indeed, it
seems to me that she had lost all ambi-
tion for her own advancement and was
.n, nm tn l,,ft I L.. .gat lal
too, appear to have reached Il crisis and
] felt that at last should be COM
PEELED TO speak"
Miss Frost was nervously clasping
and unclaspng the arms of her chair
and fine network of veins stood out
upon her forehead
Did Mrs. Kip receive any messages
or telephone calls just before she went
out on these occnsions?"
Sometimes. but | never knew their
nature nor from whom they came
Did she so a.onet'
"lnvarably."
And come home alone?" McCarty
insisted.
AS far as | know" Miss Frost
shrugged. "She always used her own
latch key and the servants were in
structcd to leave the chain of the door.
but were never permitted to wait up
for her did once. but Mrs. Kip was
dtSpleascd and made most distressing
scene. practically accusing me of at
tempting TO interfere in her affairs.
should have left her then, but | realized
that she was uuncrved and not quite
herself and made allowances. too. for her
lack of breeding. However. could
not tolerate my position any longer after
this morning.
"What happened. ma am" McCarty
hcAvcd sigh of relief. Twas that |
wanted particularly to SEQ you about
''rhcre was n musicale last night
the last Of Mrs. Fa,cS Ogdcn'S Lcnten
affairs. aud one Of the most exclusive Of
Of the greatest diplomacy obtained in
vitations for Mrs. Kip and myself. Late
| i'll the afternoon Mrs. Kip went out
alon" ard on her return informed me
| fatty that she had made another en-
gagemcnt for the evening and would
not b" able to attend tho musicale. !
! was deeply afrOnted. but in my posi-
| tion. Mr. McCarty. one must use the
utmost tact Mt all times and ! did not
protest. merely diSpntChing last min =
ute excuse of sudden illness to Mrs
! Falcs Ogden. Mrs. Kip did not dress
| for dinner and about 10 O'Clock she call =
| ed taxi instead Of her motor and went
ont in the plain velvet tnilormnde and
sab"s she had worn in the afternoon.
'My discomfort in my position had
! been growing and ] was seriously con
! sidcring tho severance of my connCc-
| ton with Mrs. Kip: her dPrelictOn last
night was the final straw and I deter
mined that this morning we must have Il
! thorough understanding. ! could not
sleep under the circumstances. so |
know definitely at what hour Mrs. Kip
returned
/ She paused and McCarty eyed her
cxpcctantly. Mrs Kin had been at
pains to impress upon him the fact thu L,
she had retired early; had she gotten
the uncomnromising Miss Frost out of
the way thnt her lie might not be rc-
futcd?
"WellE" he urged. as the elderly com
panion was still silent.
"Mr. McCarty, it was almost day
light, ! heard her close the front
door downstairs and slide the chain into
its groove, although she did it Ns
quietly as possible, Then sh" came up
the stairs. stumbling and catching at
the balustrado Us though she were faint
or i'll. | arose and was ON the point of
going to her when | remembered her
displeHsurc on that former occasion, so
| merely opened my door and glanced
out into the hall She passed without
seeing me and II was so shocked at
her appearance that ! could not have
uttered n word had | So d sired -
"What WuN th" matter with here
Met Carty demanded
"ll'r sable scarf was gone, although
She still hold her muit. and her velvet
suit was torn and bcdrngglcd. " Miss
Frost spoke with morbid relish and her
| dark eyes snapped bAlcfully. "Sht
| limpCd. too, and hugged one arm to her
side AS though it hurt her. ] should
have gone TO her assistance nt one" had
not something IN her expression warned
me that she was not in any mood 10
brook intrusion. Pain and rage and n
look nf vindictivc determination were
all written in her face and | withdrew
md shut my door. ! could hear her
pacing the floor Of her room until tho
day broke. when fell asleep at last. |
arose nr nv usual hour. however. and
came downstairs Just in time 70 see her
receive II note from the hands Of Il mcS
SNngcr. | was astonishCd to sec her up
and dressed. for she usually brcakfastCd
in bed, especially when she had been
Out----
"Wnit minute. please" McCarN
intcrruDtpd her. "NOu saw the mes
Hcnger, You say; was ho in uniform;'
"No. did not "bSCrvc him partiru-
larry. but he appeared 20 l." II shabby
looking lad, Ms, Kip bNdc mo good
morning il Nn 0bscnt minded sort oI
way and instead Of following me into
the breakfast room, went mt" III" H.
hrary with the unou"ncd not" in her
hand and closed the door, ! rNW that
her arm, was cIumSiIy bandagrd, and
NhiIn | V.n. nj hrCDkfnst fine llO,tOr VA.