Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1922-02-02
CHAPTER w
The Coming Of Lilith

NlSlIOTS were TuTe at tnC Wnlte
House, unless one counted tradespeople
wlp called Systematically in vain hope
of getting something on account Of the
long bills due to them.
Molly watched the woman interested.
ly; she was quite young and very well
dressed, but she walked with sort Of
languor, as If she were either i'll, or
very tired.
Before she reached the front door
Molly was there, and had opened It !;
she thought the visitor had come to the
wrong house, but apparently she had
only come to make IN inquiry.
"Can you tell me who the little house
next door belongs to? I see it is to
let"
Molly racked her brains she had for
gotten much Of the local history during
the last two years. Finally she shook
her head. -.
II don't know. but I'll ask Jane"
She hesitated. Wont you come in?"
she asked. "You look so tired"
The offer was readily accepted; Molly
led the way into the dining room; she
decided that it was less shabby than
the apology for drawing room on the
other side of the hall.
The visitor sat down gratefully.
II nm tired" she said. II seem to
have been walking all day long. I am
looking for a house In the country; my
husband is very delicate, and has been
ordered out of London. I thought that
the little house next door might just
suit u.s."
"I'n ask Jane whom it belongs to-"
said Molly again.
She went away, but was back in
moment.
"Jane says it belongs to Mr.. Hor.
den,' she announced. ITO John
Harden. l suppose you don't know him.
but" She broke off. 'Do you know
him." she asked interestedly.
She looked ut the elder. woman and
it struck her for the first time how very
beautiful she was: beautiful as a Dres-
den figure is beautiful, because Of its
daintiness, its refinement. Her features
ere small, and delicately chiseled:
her eyes blue. and her hair like a CLINT
of the evening sunshine which still
streamcd in ut the window.
Molly's eyes filled with slow admira.
ton she had never seen any one half
so lovely, she thought. with little
pang of envy; she wondered who this
woman might be.
II used to know some one named
John Harden" the answer came after
n little pause. but it could hardly be
the same, I think. My--my friend was
n poor man-quite poor and suppose
this Mr.. Harden--?"
"Oh, he's rich-rich as Croesus!"
Molly interrupted cheerfully. "He lives
at Manor Dyke. the finest house for
miles around. And every one is run
ming after him." She made a. little
grimace. Hes not married, OF
COURSE
II see. And this--this Mr.. Harden,
does he live far away? l should like
10 make Il few Inquiries about the little
house next door, If 1t is possible. be-
fore l so back; it's n long journey
down here. and may not be able to
come again yet whi!c.'
I'm come with YOU and show you
the way" Molly said quickly. II dare
say we could get in next door first
without the keys, il you'd like to see
what sort of house it is,' she added
kindly. There's generally a window
open somewhere"
o The elder girl smiled.
"lt's lot of trouble for you,' she |
;ad.
"Oh, no, it isn't; I've nothing to do.
md l was going out anyway; ! cant
,car staying indoors on an evening like
his"
They went out into the garden to-
,ether; Molly had not troubled to get
/ hat; the evening breeze stirred her
brown hair and beat a little flush to
Ter cheeks.
She looked shyly at her companion.
"Will you tell me your nameT', she
II,no lonnart,o1l -
"And mine is Lilith-Lilith Fer.
,ald." The beautiful blue eyes were
'aised smilingly to Molly's, and again
Molly thought with enthusiasm that
she had never seen any one quite 30
pretty.
They went out into the road, and in
1t the gate of the little house next
ioor
"I think it's been empty rather long
;ime,' Molly said obviously. I'm not
sure, but think 1t has. I've been away
myself for two years. and ] seem to
.ave forgotten things about Little Help
on, but by the look Of 1t should say
nobody has lived here just lately she
added, laughing.
, The path was weed.g grown, and the
If the house badly wanted painting.
md creeper that had been torn down
rom the porch lay in confusion on the
'tep.
. 1T could be made quite pretty"
Mrs, Fernald said she stood for a mo-
nent looking up at the face OF the
louse. ~ could make 1t look very
'retty," she said again.
II am sure you could" Molly an
'wercd: And, oh, do hope you'll
axe it - she added eagerly. ~ should
owe to live next door to YOU"