Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1921-10-28

running down the stairs,
You will want n coat" he said
quietly. 1T may rain"
kain ~ she echoed scornfully. She
made a little grimace at him. "Why,
there isn't cloud in the sky" But
she went bock obediently for the coat,
and to say good-by to MISS Chester.
And; oh. my dear, do be careful !"
the old lady urged anxiously. What
ever shall 1 say to Chris IL anything
happens2"
Nothing will happen" said Marie,
except thnt we shall thoroughly enjoy
ourselves"
She shut the drawing room door be.
mind her. and stopped for moment in
the hall to peep at herself in the glass.
She had not looked so we'll for n
long time. She turned away with
little sigh Of contcntment, and at that
moment telegraph boy ran up the
steps to the front door.
Seeing Marie, he did not ring the
bell. but handed her the yellow enve-'
lope. 1t was addressed to "Lawless."
ana Marie tore it open apprehensively.
Home this afternoon. Chris.
Naries heart gave a great leap, then
seemed to stand stin.
No answer" she said mechan anically.
She watched the boy 20 down the
steps and mount his bicycle at the
curb, then she read the short message
again.
Home this ternoon-Chris.
This meant that she could not hive
her day on the river--thnt she must
te.! Feathers she could not 20 with him
lie was outside in the road, tinkering
win the car, and had not seen the
telegram delivered. With n sudden i'm.
pulse Marie thrust 1t into her frock
why should she stay Mt home just be-
cause after all these weeks Chris chose
TO come back? Why should she give up
day enjoyment with man who
really enjoyed her society just to be
hurt and ignored and made to suffer
afresh?
Feathers called to her from the road
Are you ready, Mrs. Lawless?'
Yes, coming now" She ron dor,,
the steps, her cheeks flushed with n do
hant sense of guilt. 1t was the first
time In her life that she had done any.
thing mean or shabby, but her heart
mad grown hard during the past days.
and 1t no longer seemed n dreadful mat.
ter that she should not trouble 70 he
present when Chris came home.
Ihere was large picnic basket
strapped to the back of the car, and
feathers told her laughingly that he
hau brought magnum of champapne
Marie opened her brown eyes wiue.
gracious Who do you think vii.
.'Oh, think we can, between us
quite easily. We've got all day before
us, you know"
Marie leaned back luxuriously. She
had resolutely pushed all thought of
Chris from her mind and she did not
mean to think of him till they got back
home again.
I'm going to enjoy myself. and not
worry about anything" she said rcck-
lcssly.
Feathers looked down at her. "Do
you worry about things?' he asked
Gently. Don't do it. Mrs. Lawless
1t brings wrinkles and chases away
smiles. away
Does it2 How do you know"
suppose / have eyes like other
people, he answered.
Aunt Madge would not come. YOU
see; was sure she would not" Marie
said presently. And she has quite made
up her mind that I am going to be
drowned and that she will never see
me any more"
II don't think she need worry"
That's what l told her; I said I
knew / should be quite safc with YOU"
THANK you She looked up. sur
prised by the gravity of his voice, but
he was not looking at her. and his
ugly profile was d little hard and stern.
1t was silent drive, but Marie gave
little cry of delight when at last
curve in the road brought them within
sight of the river.
There's an inn further down the
road where we can leave the car and
get q punt" Feathers said. Then wen
get up, in the backwater and have
lunch"
Marie's face was glowing and she
looked like a child who has unexpectedly
come across an illuminated Christmas
tree.
II never knew there were such lovely
places in the world" she said. When
Feathers had run the car into the yard
adjoining the inn she went down to the
river. and stood on the small, rough
wooden landing-stage, looking down at
the silently flowing water with dreamy
eyes.
1t was so peaceful, so restful, with
the soft sound Of the breeze in the trees
and tall rushes, and the sensuous lap
of the water against the boats moored
to the landing stage.
And again the thought went through
her mind-what lovely world it would
be II one could only have things Just
little, little bit different
Feathers brought an armfu Of cush-
ions from the boathOuse, put the lunch
con hamper on board, and stripped off
his coat preparatory to starting busi-
ness.
FIc pushed off from the landing stage, |
and let the punt drift down stream.
lie was n square, strong figure standing
up against the cloudless sky. and Il
thought that had often crossed Marie's |
mind came again as she looked at him
What a kind man he could be to some
woman. and how happy some woman
could be with him
After ALL what did a handsome face
matter when It came down to the diff
cult business of everyday life? 1t was
kindness that counted and sympathy |
and gcntleness and understanding. Her
brown eyes grew wistful as she watched
his ugly, preoccupied face.
Here was man who disliked all
women even as Chris did, and yet he
had found it possible to be kind to her,
to betrlend hcr IN her loneliness ana
perplexity. She felt that she could not
lie sufficiently grateful to him.
Feathers did not speak till they had
left the main stream and slipped into
the wonderful backwater that lies be-
tween Wargrave and Henley. She held
her breath in sheer delight az she lay
back among the cushions and looked
up at the canopy Of leaves overhead.
There were very few people about.
Now and then laugh reached them
across the water or the sound of row.