Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1921-12-02
THE ONE UNWAN7ED
By RUBY AYRES
author of "A Bdchelor Husband" etc.
Copvricht bv Wheeler Syndicate, Inc.

his hat, which he removed when he saw
me. on the back of his head.
~ thought Londoners never got up
till the earth was thoroughly aired" he
said, laughing as we shook hands.
I'm not Londoner," l said. "At
east, m going to try to forget that
| am"
Mrs. Alberry was fussing around
hadn't l slept well; wasn't the bed
comfortable; had I been cold? She
took it for granted that every reason
but the real one was responsible for
my early appearance.
"It was n lovely bed, and I slept
like top l assured her. but I
like getting up early. ! always got
into rows at home for getting up early,
and can't 7 have some
breakfast, too?" / asked anxiously.
She brought me chair and insisted
on making fresh coffee and fresh toast
for me. She had planned such lovely
breakfast for me, she said :; she kept
on apologizing for the ''muddle."
l couldn't see any muddle, and it
would have been all the same If l had
l was quite happy.
John Alberry and MIR. Anderson were
talking about sheep and stacks, and un-
interesting things like that. They did
great derl of business together, so
Mrs. Alberry informed me in an apollo
gctic whisper. They seemed to hnve
forgotten my presence, and felt rather
Gggric7ed.
Then presently Mr.. Alhcrry got his
coat and said he must be getting OUT
1t was still quite dark outside. and his
wife followed him to the door. and
Mr.. Andersen and l were left alone.
80 you didn't take cold yesterday?"
he said.
looked round at him.
of course not! Why should I?''
He shrugged his shoulders.
Il thought perhaps you weren't used
to driving miles through country like
this in an open trap"
You mean that you think because
come from London I'm the sort of
girl who fuses and cant stand things"
L answered loftily. why don't you
say what you mean?'
He raised his brows comicalIy.
well, you have said it for me" he
submitted. "Won't you have some
more toast?'
looked round the table.
ut seems to be gone" said. "Un-
less you would like to make me some"
l cut slice of bread, stuck it on n
toasting fork which hung beside the
fireplace, and gave it to him.
And don't burn it," said.
He went down on one knee beside
the fire.
do you always order people about
like this?" he asked
stared at him.
'Well-no! I don't think | do" I
said uncertainty. ''What do you
mean?"
He answered without looking at me.
Only that | am beginning to under
stand why they find you rather a hand
full at home"
l think he only spoke jokingly, but
for some reason it made me furiously
angry. After all, we were compara-
tive strangers, and for him to dare to
take me to task was too much.
"WlRt do you mean?' | asked in
voice OF deadly calm.
Only that you seem rather willful
young lady, he said unsuspectingly.
Mrs. Alberry tells me that already
you've refused to have your meals in
the parlor, and I've seen for myself
that you We refused to stay in bed till
things are made comfortable down here.
And now-look at mc-down on my
knees because you ordered me; and I
give you my word that it's the first time
I've ever been on, my knees to please
any woman