Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1921-11-21

"a
sasether. The house felt like tomb
unr' he thought wretchedly. He wished
never to see II again.
Narie's letter was very short:
Tplease do not try to see me. I
,,,,t bear it. want time TO think
things over and decide what to do. I
will send for you II ever 1 want you.--
Marie Celeste
That was nil; but It was like death
warrant 20 him.
n ever she wanted him! His heart
told him that she would never want him
again! He had had his chance and
thrown It away.
During the days that followed. in his
distress and loneliness, Chris fell back
! great deal upon young Atkins.
After Miss Chester's funeral and the
closing Of the house It was Chris sug-
yestion that he and Atkins should 60
into rooms together. Chris hated the
idea Of his own company, and he knew
that as long as he lived he would never
And another friend to take Feathers
place. -.
friends tragic death he could not bear
to sneak of him. He even put away
bis golf sticks because they were such a
vivid reminder of the happy days they
had spent together.
IT never want to play the beastly
rrme again !" he told man who ques-
Noned him about 1t in the club one
night! -, +.
those days and young Atkins was just
the right sort of companion for him
sIweys CHEEKY and bright and full OF
tbe ontinism of youth.
He had 0uarrelcd badly with his
father and had been cut off with the
proverbial shilling.
"Not that it matters,' he said philo-
sophically. "I've got about two hun
dred a year the mater left me, and ]
reckon can always knock up another
two hundred"
He had decided to go to America
hut for Chris sake he put 1t off In
definitely. He felt that 1t was doing
something for Marie II he helped her
husband through the dark days before
him, Though he did not know any
thing like the whole of the story, he
was shrewd enough to piece together the
few little bits which Chris sometimes
lot drop.
he was intensely sorry for them both
and would have given great deal to
have helped put things right. Once,
unknown to Chris, he hired a motor, :
Bike and went down to see Marie and
bis sister.
He found them In the garden, pacing
together up and down the little lawn.
It was autumn then, and the bosom
Of the river was covered with brown
and yellow leaves from the trees on its
banks. There was an acrid smell in the
air, too, which always comes with the
end Of sunIner.
He thought Marie was pleased to sec
bim-certainly the color deepened lit
lie in her pale face when she first sa"
him.
But she had changed. Oh. how she
had changed. he thought sadly. There
was not much left Of the little girl who
had first Of all attracted his boyist
fancy.
He talked of everything under thu
sun, rafting on in his usual haphazard
manner, and she listened graVely, some :
times smiling, but hardly speaking.
He did not mention Chris or tell her
that they we're sharing rooms-much
more expensive rooms than he could
possibly have afforded alone but Chris
had insisted on paying the difference.
II was just as he was going, an,
Milicent had left them together for .
little while, that Marie said suddenly
"Tommy--do you know that it's a
month today since-Mr. bakers diedT
He started and flushed in confusion
as it? A month! How the time
fies, doesn't IT,"
Yes" She was looking out acros;
the open country at the back of the
little house, and he thought he hat
never seen such sadness In anyone's
face.
He laid a hand on hers IN clumsy
comfort.
"It was a fine sort of death, any.
wa" he said in desperation. Just
the sort of death man like Feathers
would have chosen Marie-hC
uaved your life twice"
He realized too late that he haC
spoken tactlessly, but to his surprise she
only smiled-a wise littl smile which
be could not fathom.
YES" she said softly, almos,
happily It seemed.
There was a little silence. then he
broke out again.
1T seems a lifetime since we all mel
for the first time down at that bally
old hotel, doesn't 1t? You and l, and
Chris. and poor old Feathers.
"It's only little more than three
months" she told him.
''Is IT." he cleared his throat nerv-
ously. "Jove! how time tlies,' he
said again, rcminiscently.
They sat silent for some minutes
then he rose to his feet, and said that
he must be going.
II told Chris I would be in n,
hn J,,b II, hop
stopped, furious with himself for hay.
ing mentioned the name he had sworr
to avoid.
Sfe looked up quickly, her brown
eyes dilating.
"Cmis! Are you living WITH tin
then"
"Yes." He twisted his cap with agi
tsted fingers. "He went back to hi
y knightsbridge rooms after-well, after
Miss Chester's house was sold, you
know, but of course you do know"
She shook her head.
II have not seen him for a month.
Young Atkins looked wrctched. HI
knew from the little Chris had tolt
MIN That this separation had been hel
own wish. and therefore he could no
understand her attitude now.
lie did not know that she had writ
ten that last note to her husband NOR,
as test than for any other reason
with her old childish way ofHeason
,,ng, she had argued to herself that /
ne really cared for her nothing on eartl
would keep him away; and once agail
ohe had been disappointed. He had ap
parent " agreed without word of de
mur--he had never attempted to ap
proach her.
Il know he's jolly miserable, any
way Young Atkins broke out explo
NlVALN hIInn a mo l.IIn