Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1921-12-13
THE ONE UNWANTED
By RUBY AYRES
Author of "A Bachelor Husband" etc.
Copyright bv Wheeler Syndicate, Inc:

got somewhere up in my throat and
was choking me but kent on tell
Ing myself that l did not care-that
It was nothing to me any more IL
had to pass him twenty times a day
that all feeling for him had gone.
1t was n lie, of coursel But for the
next two days / tried so hard to cheat
myself into the belief that it was true
that there was never any other thought
in my mind.
just lived for an answer from
mother, and it came on the third day
the kindest letter l had ever had from
her. She said she was pleased I had
| asked to be allowed to return and that
she would be glad to welcome me.
II shall soon be losing one of my
girls" she wrote. 80 come home and
try to make it up to me, Sally"
| wondered il she was thinking of
Lionel Champion when she wrote that |!
And I laughed as l thought of his
strange proposal to me. Well, he would
never be called upon to keep his share
OF our contract. anyway. He would
never be asked to wipe off the mort
gage on Marks farm on our wedding
day. There would never be wedding
dayl The stupid tears rushed to my
eyes at that thought, but / brushed
them angrily away.
would marry a rich man. Perhaps
even, If Mr.. Champion asked me again,
l would say yes!
How Mark would hate It IL he heard
Or had it all just been prctense when
he had said he was jealous of Mr..
Champion?
] went on reading mothers letter
with misty eyes.
II am writing to Mrs. Alberry by
this same post and explaining matters
to her. Mr.. Champion called in last
night, and when ] told him you were
coming home he offered to motor you
up, as 1t appears he has to go to Lang
ton-which is. believe, quite near you
on the Friday"
The color flew to my face. 4 faint
spark of interest woke in my heart.
He liked me at any rate. | hoped
p0ssiOnately that Mark would see him
drive through the village 1t would
show him that l was not quite desolnte
or unheeded.
That letter came on Wednesday. and
for the next two days went out boldly,
not caring whether | met Mr. Andcr-
son or not.
came face to face with Nina once,
and. though | think she would have
passed by, | stopped her.
Isn't it nice morning." / said.
1t wasn't, but it was something to say.
She agreed with me.
1T makes one think of the spring."
sLe, snid. "You'll love Dcvonshire in
the spring. Miss Slater"
1t was the opportunity I wanted.
Il Shan't be here in the spring." !
sold. ''Tm going home on Saturday,
back to Lonlon."
She looked astOnishcd.
Il thought you were going to stay
for ever 80 long" she said.
$50 | wns." I admitted. but I'm
tired Of it. It's duh after town. so
I'm going home TO have good tine
again. There arc lots of dances and
things on now in London you know"
She looked family cnvlous.
eyes, suppose So"
There was Il little silence: tEcn
bndc her good-bv. She would tell Mark.
IT course: which was just exactly what
wished hcr to do.
! had n note from Lionel Champion
" Friday evening; he was ut Lnngton.
hc said. and believed that my mother
lad told m" he whS coming over the
Il shall be ther" about 10 o'clock.
@ld hope it will not be too early for
yod,' he wrote. IL shall bring the big
Nr. 50 we can take most Of your bag
gage with ""
don't know how much luggage he
thought l had, or if he was judging my
wardrobe by the lavish standard which
my sisters affected, but all my worldly
osSrsSiOns were contained in ono good
sized trunk, which was ready packed
and strapped.
Mrs. Albcrry cried most of that day.
She sCrmcd TO think that She had
.ailcd in her duty as |. was leaving 50
soon. and once or twice | was almost
lomptcd to tell her the truth. 50 that
she need not feel so sad about it.
II shall come and stay with YOU
oftrn,' | said several times. "W'hcn
the fine weather comes shall come
down and stNy a month"
But ! knew | should never come
again, NJ long as Mark Anderson lived
anywhere near.