Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1921-06-20

the girl. Something had occurred to
mar their mutual trust and happiness.
And, manlike, he thought that prim-
tive measures would win Miss Mary
back to him.
He caught her in his arms-true to
"Caveman' tradition - and pressed
upon her unsuspecting and tear stained
little face very ardent kiss.
For brief, ecstatic moment Mary's
figure relaxed in Dicks arms and her
soft, damp cheek was pressed against
his own Mary closed her eyes
and told herself that this was heaven
Then jealousy-that most human and
painful Of all emotions-gripped the
girl like cold. clutching hand.
She drew away from him at once.
"What-what do you want? Why
do you follow me here?" She put
hand up to her hair and freed herself
from Dicks embrace.
Her tone OF voice was 40 entirely
distant and unlover like Dick was
chilled.
Mary, my dear, I've been so mis-
erable"' Real love is generally inar.
ticulate, and Dick was no exception.
Like what?" said Mary coolly, step
ping from the sweet scented dusk of the
conservatory out into the lighted room
beyond, "Mr. Calardin, what do you
want with me?"
face very pale, but his eyes lcveled di-
rectly on her. Those vivid, honest eyes
could never waver.
You know what want, Mary
you. and nothing else! l haven't
Changed-"
Mary bit her lip to hide its trembling.
Changed? All, no, perhaps not
You should rather say you've ceased
pretending! That's more like the
truth -
A fash of anger-yes, and pain.
was glinting in her pretty, smoke blue
eyes.
Ceased pretcnding?" Dick was be-
wildered. pretending WHAT"
The CLINT remained in Mary's eyes
as she made answer imperturbably
Pretending that YOU ever cared for
me, if you want me to be specific"
y But, Mary'-Dick took step
toward her and held out his hand
MARY, ] have always cared ~
Rubbish !" rejoined Mary tersely.
Jcalousy-the cause Of deep unhappi
ness-had her in its grip now, and she
was powerless to resist. ''Mr. CAL
ardin, / may as we'll tell you here and
now that expressions Of liking and
and admiration don't mean a thing to
me- They don't, indeed. Because !
happen to know that there is nothing
behind them--exCept the easy wish Of a
"A superficial man to flatter q girl who
| has aroused his--his flceting admira =
ton"
Dick stared at her, astounded This
calm, self-possessed damsel, with her
| ready flow of words--she surely was
not Mary Drew, the girl he loved-and
wanted
He could not gauge the jealousy that
| spurred poor Mary on. He could not
gauge the depth of her unhapplness. H.
| could only see pretty, soft Tipped girl
whose appearance bclled the cool words
that she uttered-a girl who, apparent
| ly, was bent on hurting him.
"Tell met isn't true that you've
promised to marry Mr.. Bellairs?" Dick
! strobe forward and caught her by tn,
arm.
His grip was painful. But Mary
didn't finch. Nothing in the worlC
could ever hurt her any more, she tolC
! herself.
4 demon of perverstty urged her on
| OF course DICK aha not care for her
She could not hurt him in his love
for love was non existent. But sh
could hurt him in his pride, She coulc
show him that he did not count for any
thing in her young lif"
Wounded vanity could sting. Sh
knew it.
"Why shouldn't / engage myself t
any one choOseT' Her soft lip curlcd
And why should inform you of tn
fact and of my doings:"
Dick dropped her arm and moved
step away from her. lie was white t
the lips now, and the CLINT in her eye
was reflected in his own. Two coul
play at this cruel game
'Do you wish deliberately to gnor
all that has passed between u.s." II
flung the words at Mary, breathlessly
do you wish me to understand tina
there is nothing-nOthing between yo
and mc?"
Mary inclined her head 1t gave he
queer. odd satisfaction to see tn
whiteness of Dicks lips. Oh, he ha
made her suffer-cruclly
TomOrrOw-i World Topples.