Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1922-12-16

phuOSophtsing as We Story ueCe'oP'
JOHN CHICHESTER. rhom Mr'
Mohun uOuli like 10 call son-tM.tdn
Her Observation-Disclosures
IF HER father was aw"r" "t th
i thoughts in Chorry'S mind h" made NJ
comment. lIe still spent much tlH'
In his own room writing. planning o'
comforting with visitors, and seemed q
have little time or thought for III
wife or her occupations.
Cherry knew that her m0tho" drove
out with Mr.. chichester at least once
a week: that hs was Frequently at tA'
house in the afternoons. and she haI
reason to suspect that her mother
sometimes mot him elsewhere. 'u'
shc did not choose TO dignity h"r I'm
pnticnrr bv rrc.iMinutIVnS. and Whcl
She SAW the visitor She mad" every 81
fort To give him an amlahIc greeting
No word had ever passed between Chi
chester and Cherry. either of sentiment
or Of business. and. with the sudI't
cessation Of his addresses. Cherry nae
assumed that her mother had made
proper use Of her social grn"es III III
verting the current Of ChiChcstcr.s : VA
grant affections into another enamel
The case with which this had been ac'
compllshed. though untlatt"ring To hct
own self esteem. had given Cherry a
new measure of her mother adnpta
bil!ty.
The despairing tears which al" had
shed on Chorry'S account II" longer
flowed. Smiles had soon taken their
place. She spoke no more ot cherry
ingratitude. 1t had seemed to Cherry
that Alicia's acQuicSccnre had too many
Il. ,G 20,
above suspicion. What did her moth
er's new attitude mean: What had
been the motive Of the conversations
with Mr.. chichester, which had
restored her mother 10 CnlmncsS
and self complacency Her reference"
to Chichester were above criticism. but
they opened the door To disturbing
queries as to the influences which might
have been the cause Of his generosity.
He had taken up som" notes Oi MohUn
4 Co. which one Of the banks hal
held. And if generous rs I" this. why
not as to The matter Of the personal
loan which had been tn" cause ot
Cherry rebellion:
Cherry Is Worried
The thought of that loan still worried
Cherry-more even than her own ialI-
ures in the struggle for existence. She
knew that the money realized from the
sale of the pearls had been enough To
pay all obligations. and her mother,
who had insisted on depOsitinG the sum
In her own bank account. had assured
her that Chichester's affair ''wOuld be
attended to- But since her mother now
kept her check book and her bank book
in a locked drawer, Cherry was forced
to be content with that statement.
As Cherry approached tn" house on
her return from her unsuccessful visit
to the MeadowCrLtt Studio. she saw
that John Chichester limOUSin" stood
al the door. She met its owner in III"
small parlOr where he sat awaiting
her mother. AS che entered. h" rose,
pulling norvously AT his wiSp of mus
tGchr. Her glance passed over his eve"
ming clothes which suggested quite
plainly their plan of dinner and the
atre party for two. Cherry : cool greet
ing perhaps reflected her dIsapproval.
Size had meant 10 60 upstairs at once,
but Mt the door she paused and turned.
"Oh. she said quietly, 'ther" :
something that I've been wanting to
speak to you about.
"Ah. Cherry, l. tAcr" anything
further that | cHn dof'
1t was her imagination, Of course,
which emphasized his wish 70 plac0tc
her.
mo. thanks. 1t isn't anything Ike
that. It's about what You ve already
done
my dear Cherry" he SAID pleas.
antly, II hope you won't give that a
thought.
''Rut do" She paused Il moment
searching for words, and then. avoid.
ing Subterfugc. spoke directly,
"A few months ago lay mother Dor.
rowed 500 from you"
mo. | loaned it to her, my dear.
There's difference"
"You wor" very kind Ny farther
and deeply appreciated Your Kind g..
neSN-yuur other kindmesSeo ru us nil.
But what wanted to know was
whether or. not my mother has repaid
II 10 YOU:
Chichester Gazed a, her moment
half ~himSI"alIy and then looked away.
'llns that worried yo"; My dear
girl"
"Answ"r mo, please. insisted
Cherry. calmly, did Sh" pay YOU or
not 2"
II don't 0uir" sea
"What affair it is Of llror Prrhan,
you don't think it j.. do. That
money went to nay som" Of my debt.
rs we'll aS hers. Has she given W,
anythinGf"
"Oh. ycS. Of course.
''iIow much
"Roally, my dear--i,'q very fooli>i
OF YOU 10 disturb Yourself She ha,
paid me-er-a substantial sum. Wha
should il matter to you if am sati.
fed? AS you know have more none,
than i"
That's not tn" point. Mr.. Chichos
ter" Cherry broke in quickly. ."
would be obliged il you'd let me know
Just how much We owe you-won't yol
tell me?"
Chichester ho>itated. She did no
believe him to be by inclination liar.
"Won't you lot this bc matter
between Mrs. Mohun nnd mo-"
The purpose Of his question was Der,
haps generous in intention, but h,
realized Immediately that it had nj
awkward sound, and he saw the swlf
fire that ran through Chcrry's eyes.
'Iou can hardly Think" she sal,
coOlly, "thnt ! would be willing rc
belicv' in an obligation on my moth,
er's part not shared by the rest ui hrl
family"
ii' roN'r'H MS Hl"iiI'hlHTN confusion
by short laugh,
"Oh, say. Cherry. Aren't you I
little severe OF course there's no obi,
gatiou--e except that Of very warn
friendship made more gentle by mi,for.
tune.
"Oh yes, Of course, she said with ;
shruG.
lie turned toward her again
won't you let me have the privi eg,
OF helping y0u--uf helping YOU all? It.