Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1921-03-31

W 'plic anu see me ana tell me every |
tning. just think Of it, Enid! Hes
1 noGcrt Stcthcril Ellis, right now as
good as millionaire dozen times over. |
And he was Mr.. Steele, il you please.
private secretary! And Robert Ashc,
expert on burglar-proof safes And |
Ladyiingcrs! Gracious It takes |
ones breath away" She laughed gaily. |
Then, in stimulated seriousness, her
eyes widcncd, her brows lifted, II don't
know whether to be most proud or
frightened to acknowledge acquaintance
with my romantic cousin"
II didn't imagine" said Ellis quietly. |
that one ever spoke of knowing a thief
with pride"
lightfully. You mustn't speak like
that But I'll tell you," leaning for
ward confdentially, and again aiming
her finger at him, you're just the lion
of the valley! There's not woman
know who doesn't turn perfectly green
with envy when / mention my Cousin
Robert! For they all know that you
never had chance, really; and that
you've been just perfectly splendid
You must come and see me, soon, and
let me show you off. And you, too,
EnidI Won't you? Won't YOU
jump in with me now? I'll run you into
Lockworth in a minute and take you
wherever you want to go -
Thank you, Evelyn" Robert an
swcrcd quickly. "But T" = ="
'Oh, / know! / know" cried the
young matrOn as though she did know
and could, if required, name the very
date set for tho wedding. II was young
once upon n time myself. you may re-
member! Drive on, Dutton. And be
sure you come to see me real soon, both
Of you! Good by, good by"
She was on her way again in her
speeding car, Robert and Enid on their
way, walking in the dust. Her coming
and going had been in the manner of a
whirlwind leaving an unbrokcn quiet
after it.
Through the silence which went with
them he could feel the thing that he had
| felt from the beginning. Enid with all
| of her might was seeking to be as she
had always been with him, seeking and
| failing.
"Tcll me-" he said at last. "What is
| it? You are sure that you love me? As
| | love you?"
She nodded. The wide brim of her
hat hid her eyes from him. Her head
was bent little; there was a misty blur
across her sight.
1T was what Evelyn said?" he
| uNh'u SlO" III Is because L nave
been d" thief?"
| She might have cvadpd the question
for little; she might have answered in
many hcsitant words Instead of in one
| final one, but then she would not have
been Enid. So she told him gently,
"Ycs."
When he did not speak again she
| looked at him and saw that his eyes
were dark with pnin and that there
was a dull, hot huNh in his cheeks. She
wanted to put her two arms about him
and mother him; she wanted to slip
to his breast and feel the grip of his
aims about her; she wanted to cry.
But she turned away and bit Mt her
trembling lip and looked through the
mist of her tears at the shimmCring
sun -smittcn road
Into his breast came n flash Of re-
bcIlion. lie loved her: she said that
she loved him. A man may fight for
his life and for his love without shame.
| Enid" he said. Il have been n
thief all of my life. have never
known anything else until these last
few months. But it is different now.
That is part of the past. Can't we
try to forget it? Can't we begin afrcsh
now? Can't we build up our lives from
today? My God! love You so that no
natter what you might have done, no
matter what you might have been, I'd
want you. That is what love means.
Don't you know that, Enid? l am un-
worthy, hut / love you 50 that in the
future nothing will be impossible. And
If yOu love me " y"
II love you, Robert. Moro than
everything else in the world But cant
You SEQ, drnr, what is best =
what must be ~'
"But why? Why%" lie cried passion
Ntcly. is it that you would be
"Don't!" she said quickly. "You
must Fuow mo better than that. ] am
not ashamed Of You. l would be proud
proud if | were
not afraid 49,
1t came in whisper. In spite of
her determination her voice broke and
shc could no go on.
"Afrad of what? OF mo. DEAR"
Il said, before | knew vino you
wcrr," She continued. "thnt was sorry
for Ladytingcrg. That he had never
had chance. That you have become
what you have, in spite of crrum-
stances, that you have educated your
scsIf, made a gentleman of yourself;
| am proud of You ~
"You are afraid 80
"Not of YOU" whispered Enid. "Not
Of YOU Oh. Robert Can't you sccf"
lie shook his head. lie was not
thinking of that. She would have to
tell him. And, though it was not easy,
she told him.
"Do you remember, on that day in
the woods how | told You that some
day I.adyfngcrs would have to pay
The laws men make -
4