Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1922-06-13
"Nobodys Man.

her. She's q liar r. She stormed up
and down the room, her face crimson,
her breast hesyins. Mrs. Mason
watched her silently.
You spoiled everything BY having 9,
row with her." Dolly stormed ''she'll
never come here again. She'll marry
Neil. and then whst's to become Of
Mrs. Mason began to cry feebls.
II did my best" she walled. "You
always blame me; it's your fault for
quarreling with Nell. I begged you
not to. You might have married him
months ago Z you'd played your cards
properly WS,+ "a; ds %Sns, would ssYs saved
Dolly kicked a footstool out Of her
"Oh. turned the tears on" she
said furiously. II told the little fool
I loved him. and she believed me. Loved
him, indeed hate him, but I'll be
even with them both yet! III pay
them OUT And now the tears
that came were tears Of genuine anger.
Mrs. Mason looked on helplessly.
Elisabeth went home feeling miser.
able though she did not care fof Dolly:
she was sorry for her, and she would
have given'a great deal to have helped
her.
was unusually cool to him; the easy
friendship that had grown up between
felt III at ease. Whenever their eyes
met she found herself remembering what
Dolly had said.
Was It true, and did he really love
her? She hoped not with all her heart {;
she did not want his love,
Farmer was quick to notice the
change in her, and at first he tried
gently to find out what was wrong, but
manlike he lost patience as the evening
wore on. Before he left he asked frankly
II he had done anything to offend her.
Elizabeth shook her head.
''No! Why should you think so?"
because you have changed to me
since yesterday, knew It as soon AZ
you came into the room tonight; what
have done, Elizabethr'
She moved restlessly. Everything
seemed to jar her and she said i'm
pulsively:
~ wish you wouldn't call me by my
| She saw the hot blood rush into his
handsome face, but be controlled him.
self admirably.
mind" he said.
She turned away without answering.
She felt ashamed. He had been 90 good
to her. She thought Of the check she
had sent to Enid Sanger with sudden
heart sinking.
II think, perhaps, I won't stay this
evening"" Farmer said, His voice
sounded hurt, and Elisabeth melted.
| She went back to him.
| I'm sorry was unkind," she said.
| "Please forgive me-"
The surrender was 80 unexpected that
he caught his breath with . stiHed ex-
clamati6n.
Elisabeth. you know II love you,
Elizabeth. I'd give anything in the
world to make you happy"
She fell back from him, the color
dying from her face. ,
| "Oh, no, MOI" she protested.
| He saw that he had made a mis-.
take, but 1t was too late to recall the
words, and he went on pleading pas.
sionately.
"I thought you knew that wanted
you. Be my wife, Elizabeth! There
nothing I won't do for you. I'd give
my life for you. If you can just care
for me-ever 80 little -"
| Elizabeth thought of Dolly's words !:
There isn't such thing as friend
ship between man and a woman"
and she knew how true 1t was.
She had tried friendship with Pat
Royston. and 1t had failed, and she had
tried 1t with Neil Farmer, and this was
how 1t had ended.
"I'm sorry" she said, "but don't
Il can't ever care for you like that"
| He broke out again eagerly:
Eve spoken too soon. I never meant
Elizabeth. IN never aliude to it again.
I'm content to 20 on, just being your
friend unless you ever wish It to be-
different" ..',
II shall never wish it," she told him.
II don't think there's much happiness
in the world" she added pitifully.
He tried to laugh.
II know ! owe you everything" she
said again, II know It would only be
right II LIT I did care for you, but
-" She broke off hopelessly.
Were not going to talk about 1t
again." he said determinedly. 'It's all
forgotten we're just friends, nothing
more unless you wish It some day"
He shook her hand. Smile, Elizabeth,
and say you forgive me-"
She shook her head.
"It's all my fault for-for ever let.
ss'5 s!aS you do what you have DONE" she
He would not allow that.
eve made a good investment. that's
ALL" he said cheerily. There's no need
to be sorry for me. Wait till the elev-
enth."
1T was much later on in the evening
that he said suddenly, when Nine. Sem
estis was out of the room: Elizabeth,
may I ask you something?"
She looked up, startled by the gravity
of his voice. "Why-yes," she said
breathlessly.
"What IL it,"
He smiled at her anxiety.
Don't look SO alarmed; I'm not
going to scOld you, only-will you tell
me whom you gave that check TOT"
Elizabeth stared at him with wide
eyes. the color mounting slowly to her
cheeks. IT,.
'Who-whom did I give 1t top she
faltered. She could not imagine why
he was questioning her; In her ignor-
ance she had never dreamed that the
check was ultimately bound to find its
way back to him. She had never ne.
gotiated a check in her life.
Don't think anything is wrong" be
resumed hurriedly. ~ only asked ; a. bs. e,
eyes, if-if you don't mind" There
SnS SVy%s eas she ssGls ss5 ou ssn wals
earnestly, II didn't use 1t myself, II you
think that, ! gave 1t toto some one
who wanted It dreadfully badly. Oh,
| vnu lO haliavo me don't yOu 2''